PARTNERS IN MISSION INTERNATIONAL
41. Jamiu Eletu Street, Awoyaya, Km 45 Lekki Epe Exp. Way, Awoyaya – Lagos. 08022132445, 07041475613 Email:pimioutreach@gmail.com, www.pimioutreach.webs.com

Present:
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN YOUTH CONGRESS

ON PEACE AND UNITY IN NIGERIA

THEME:
The Perils of Disunity

SUB THEME:
Religions and the Building of Peace in Nigeria
[Fostering Intercultural and Interreligious Cooperation and Action for a Culture of Peace in Nigeria]

Organized by:
Dominion Ministerial Network, Lagos, Change Makers Group and the Department of World Programme For Human Rights Education of the Apostolic Church Nigeria-Solid Rock Assembly/District,Surulere,Lagos-Nigeria,Western Area, Federal Capital Territory Field-Nigeria, Christian Association of Nigeria-Akwa Ibom State Chapter and Christian Youth Network-Akwa Ibom State-Nigeria
In Collaboration With
Living Values: An Educational Programme

Background:
Today, misleading information on the origin of conflicts and terrorism in Nigeria requires a clear cut analysis of the relation between religious feelings and violence, in order to advance towards the building of peace through its prevention and peaceful resolution.

Unless we carefully analyze and communicate this relationship, some media and many people in Nigeria and in the world will continue to wrongly think and perceive that religion is often fuel for violence. Indeed, violence is mostly originated at the level of power, resources and ideologies, and religion is often misused to stir up these conflicts.

The dramatic and endless bombings of churches, mosques and other public institutions and the killing of innocent lives by BOKKO HARAM GROUP in various part of Nigeria require solutions prompted by the awareness, commitment and involvement of religious leaders and civil society, which must urge political will and action to the decision-makers. This grave scenario has become a threat to peace and stability in Nigeria and complicates the role of religions that are working for justice in such complex environments .

The nagging and endless problems can be attributed to the fact that the church and other religious organizations in Nigeria has failed to disciple the states and the nations as instructed by Jesus in the Gospel [And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with always, even unto the end of the world-Mathew 28:18-20.

We are also witnessing a growing deterioration of dishonesty, integrity and high level of corruption in the governance of Nigerian state. This is visible in various issues: from climate to finance, from law to social justice, from human rights to decent work. These threats have created a sense of lack of security at the human level. In moments of crisis, religions must provide hope and trust to humankind. The Bible Says- From one man God made every nation of men [Acts 17:26]

Moreover, it is particularly relevant that religions help to maintain values in an increasingly valueless economic and social global system. Civil society, based on universal human values, has become a central player in addressing national, regional, continental and global issues for another kind of governance. It is therefore through an alliance of values that religions and civil society can act on political institutions, at the local, national and international level to provide hope, justice and progress for peace and stability in Nigeria.

As stated in the Holy Books of various faiths as well as in the Alliance of Civilizations Report, the Congress aimed at enhancing efforts to bridge the divides between religions and cultures and to challenge attitudes that spread the appearance of links between religion and violence, extremism and even terrorism with a recognition that religions and cultures are intertwined according to John 13:34-35, Mathew 22:39.

We must therefore acknowledge the inability of the church leadership in Nigeria to raise believers who can apply effective biblical dynamics to leadership in the governance of the Nigerian state at different levels and facets of our national life, to build sustainable development structures in our nation-Nigeria. This has made the church to look weak and irrelevant in the face of the overwhelming problems in our societies.

It is against this backdrop that the Lord challenged us in Partners in Mission International-Nigeria, Dominion Ministerial Network, The Change Makers Group and the Department of World Programme For Human Rights Education of the Apostolic Church Nigeria-Solid Rock Assembly/District, Surulere, Lagos-Nigeria, Western Area, Federal Capital Territory Field-Nigeria and together with Living Values: An Educational Programme to set up this initiative-The International Christian Youth Congress on Peace and Unity in Nigeria under the theme: The Perils of Disunity, to be held in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

Date: on Sat. 17th – Sun. 18th Nov. 2012 Time: 2pm daily.

Venue: Eagles Based City Int’l No. 23 Itu Road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

The Congress is designed to bring a strong and renewed emphasis on the Gospel of the Kingdom, which is an instrument of shared values in transforming our societies. As an important gathering of Christian youth leaders and advocates from different nations based on our common humanity, common vision and the shared values of fraternity, human solidarity and love to forge a way forward in Nigeria that religions should never again be the origin of confrontation but of conciliation, the congress will have the following topics to be debated upon:

Main topics:
1. Spiritual warfare, strategic praying, discipleship, church growth, missions and community transformation
2. The Church, Families and the Nigeria State
3. Acknowledging and Promoting the Role of Religions in the Building of peace in Nigeria
4. Building on common values: the central role of religions and beliefs in the building of a culture of
Peace in Nigeria
5. Stressing the preventive capacities of inter-religious inter-action in Nigeria

Objectives:
To equip Christian youth to be world changers and establish a network of Christian youth leaders, ministers and ministries into the advancement of tolerance and peace in Nigeria

To Promote Inter-religious and Intercultural Dialogue, Understanding and Cooperation for Peace in Nigeria based on the principles enshrined in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as in other international documents and agreements, that guarantee the right and full respect of freedom of religion and other beliefs, and encourage dialogue and interaction with people of other belongings and identities, whether they be believers or not. In this respect, rapid and efficient encounter and sharing among representatives of religions and with national and international policy–makers appears to be essential, especially to identify common values and standards to learn to live with our differences.

To encourage action–oriented behaviors and attitudes, and widely spread knowledge on the real root causes of terrorism in Nigeria –including, when appropriate, the misuse of religions and ideologies

To provide possible solutions to build peace in the minds of Nigerian people, particularly in the minds of youth, social and political actors as well as the mass media

To encourage religious leaders in Nigeria at all levels, from the highest hierarchies to the grassroots level, to enhance and exercise their crucial role as actors of peace and mutual understanding convincing that a culture of dialogue, alliance, non-violence and peace must be built with full respect for human rights, the UN Charter and the rule of law. Such a shared culture of peace needs to give creative expressions to the teachings of the world’s religious traditions, which have stressed with a sense of otherness and brotherhood that we are all responsible for one another.

To accelerate the transition from the use of force to word and dialogue, from violence to intercultural and interfaith harmony, from clash to alliance, from an economy of terrorism to an economy of national development, from a culture of instability and disunity to a culture of peace, unity and stability based on justice and freedom.

As an Advocate for Peace and International understanding, you are cordially invited to participate at the forum as a Special Guest.


Thank you for your work and hope to receive your acceptance letter Sir.



Yours Sincerely,

Apostle Ability Cosmas Dan
Convener
President, Partners in Mission Int’l and
Director, Dominion Ministerial Network
DL: +2348022132445