Thursday, October 20, 2005

Women Peacemakers Program

"Peacebuilding Among the Traumatized
in the Long War in Northern Uganda"

A conversation with

Sister Pauline Acayo of Uganda

IPJ Theatre

12:30-2:00pm

As a Peacebuilding Project Officer for Catholic Relief Services in Gulu, northern Uganda, Sister Pauline Acayo has been responsible for supporting the implementation of peacebuilding and emergency response activities in Gulu. Demonstrating a strong commitment to attaining peace after more than two decades of brutal war in northern Uganda, Sr. Pauline has assisted the Justice and Peace Commission of the Archdiocese of Gulu and the Acholi Religious Leaders' Peace Initiative in promoting peaceful coexistence, forgiveness and reconciliation. Sr. Pauline is a member of the congregation of the Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu. She has trained over 100 volunteers to cover three districts in northern Uganda to counsel on conflict resolution, conflict management and human rights; started and sustained "peace clubs" in schools that reach a population of over 5,000 youth; and, performed interventions designed to foster inter-family, inter-group, and inter-cultural reunion to help heal psychological wounds inflicted by war. Sr. Pauline encourages women's peace committees to take greater roles in peace and reconciliation activities. By using traditional indigenous ceremonies she has helped over 2,000 formerly abducted children reintegrate into their homes and communities. She has also informed countless others through peace talk radio programs. Sr. Pauline states her goals as a 2005 Woman PeaceMaker are to tell her story, learn from other peacemakers and become a greater resource for her community and home.