By OBSERVER Newsroom
The Sacramento State Center for African Peace and Conflict Resolution hosted the 30th annual Africa and Diaspora International Conference April 28-30.
This year’s event was themed “The Africa Peace and Security Agenda: Lessons Learned and Future Directions.”
The conference presentations addressed topics such as models of sustainable peace, restorative justice, the roles of religion, interfaith dialogue, civic engagement in peace building and domestic violence prevention, with local, national, and international speakers.
“For 30 years, we are very pleased and honored to have brought Africa to Sac State and its wider community, with both intellect and insights on critical issues of peace and development,” said Ernest Uwazie, Criminal Justice professor and director of the Center for African Peace and Conflict Resolution.
Bettina Ng’weno, associate professor of African American and African Studies at UC Davis, delivered the keynote address, “Africa is the Future: Leadership and Demographics in a Changing World,” preceded by a special luncheon session that examined peace and violence-prevention initiatives in the Sacramento area.
The conference’s culminating event on April 30, was the annual peace awards dinner; this event recognizes peace and violence prevention contributions of influential individuals and the Neighborhood Wellness Foundation-Sacramento, which promotes socially, emotionally, physically, scholastically, and economically healthier neighborhoods.
The individual Africa Peace awardees include Dr. Olivia Kasirye, Sacramento County public health officer; Pastor Les Simmons, Sacramento social justice activist; Mr. Fatai Yusufu, owner of Sacramento-based international agribusiness Yusol Foods International and philanthropist; and Ramona Mosley, Sacramento community health educator. California State Assemblymember Kevin MCarty delivered the peace awards keynote address on the theme of the racial justice reform agenda, among approximately 300 people in attendance.