Global Kimeeza II: The Role of Youth in Post-Conflict Reconstruction

January 2nd-17th, 2007

This fall, peace talks brought about a cessation of hostilities in the 20-year civil war in Northern Uganda, making 2007 a critical time to examine the political situation and engage in the practice of reconstruction and reconciliation. In January 2007, 13 Americans and 23 Ugandans came together in Kampala and Gulu, Uganda for the second Global Kimeeza. The goal of the Kimeeza was to provide a platform for these young people to explore the important role that youth play in post-conflict reconstruction by sharing ideas, approaches, and strategies.

In small groups, these youth worked together with regional experts to discuss youth as peacebuilders, justice and forgiveness, and poverty relief and economic development. The two-week-long conference concluded with the Global Kimeeza II Action Statement (PDF), a document that serves both as a pledge to action for those who drafted it and as a model for other youth who are searching for ways to get involved in the reconstruction and reconciliation processes.

What is Kimeeza?

Kimeeza (pronounced: chee-meh-zah) is the Luganda word for "big table." In today's global community, this takes on a unique meaning, as it proposes that we are all seated at the table together. At Global Youth Partnership for Africa, we believe that people-to-people relationships lead to sustainable change. Through discussion and sharing, we can increase the number of seats at our global kimeeza, making our world a more equitable place.

Participant Focus

Read more about the other Kimeeza participants here.

Kris Ansin
Kris Ansin is a senior at George Washington University, where he studies Biological Anthropology. He is the President of the GWU chapter of the Student Movement for Real Change, which works to raise awareness of issues facing neglected regions of the world, while also improving conditions for students and communities abroad.
Catherine Lamwaka
Catherine Lamwaka has a degree in Development Studies from Gulu University. She is a researcher with the Justice and Peace section of the Gulu District NGO Forum and a team leader for the Youth Coalition for Peace — Gulu. In 2006 she ran for Parliament as the Acholi sub-county women's representative.
Honorable Oola Patrick Lumumba
The Honorable Oola Patrick Lumumba represents the youth of Gulu as the District Councillor. He is also a counselor at the World Vision Uganda Children of War Rehabilitation Programme and a volunteer with Médecins Sans Frontièrs.
Enoch Magala
Enoch Magala is pursuing a degree in Commerce at Makerere University. He leads the Forum for International Cooperation (Makerere) and volunteers with the Campus Alliance to Wipe Out HIV/AIDS. He has attended international youth conferences in Ghana, Malawi and Brazil that focus on the role of youth in educating the community on HIV/AIDS and reproductive health.
Mai Shaffner
Mai Shaffner has a degree in Psychology from the Miami University of Ohio and will begin pursuing a Masters of Social Work from the University of North Carolina in the fall of 2007. She volunteers with her local Rape Crisis Center and with survivors of sexual abuse. She is also the American Ambassador of the Uganda Breakdance Project.


Global Kimeeza II in the Media

Click here for more information about the Inaugural Global Kimeeza. Check out the Student Global Ambassadors page for information about GYPA's other student trips to Africa.