Peace and Governance
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 the fundamental pivot of this strategic goal. It focuses on peaceful societies, access to justice and strong, well-functioning governance institutions. It aims to reduce conflict and violence, corruption and organized crime. It highlights the crucial role of the rule of law and inclusive decision-making.
There has been deterioration in the quality of life, the weakening of political and economic institutions and the discouragement of investment. Not only have the prevailing conflicts occurred within Kenya’s borders but some have spilled over borders lowering regional stability and the growth and prosperity of the region generally.
Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) Peace and Governance Program has mandate of promoting peace, reconciliation and cohesion among Kenyan communities and their neighbors’. IRCK promotes justice and cohesiveness among communities through dialogue, shared values and perspectives for mutual co-existence.
Strategic Objective : To contribute to improved governance and peace at national and county levels of governments
Strategies:
- Building capacity of religious leaders and communities on governance and peace.
- Carrying out advocacy and evidence based research on good governance and peace.
- Building partnerships and networks.
- Engaging political parties, legislative arms of national and county government.
- Promoting and incorporating new communication strategies.
Outcomes:
- Strengthened peace and national cohesion research, monitoring, documentation and learning structures in IRCK.
- Hold forums to advocate for policy development and implementation on peace and national cohesion at the national and county levels.
- Advocacy forums for equitable distribution of resources and participation in decision-making at county and national levels strengthened.
- Grassroots forums advocating for sustainable peace and national cohesion through peace and reconciliation amongst Kenyan communities.
- Capacity of religious leaders and communities on peace, reconciliation and national cohesion built.
- Enhanced religious and community leaders capacity to detect early signs of conflict.
- Enhanced community members skills to sustain peace building and national cohesion mechanisms.
- Strong religious leaders understanding of devolution and policies, and how to use the knowledge to encourage peace building and national cohesion.
- Mobilize resources to enable interfaith networks and faith communities implement peace building and national cohesion related programmes.
Projects
Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) with the support of the Embassy of Sweden through DIAKONIA Kenya Country Program is implementing “Democracy and Human Rights Program” in Kenya. The program seeks to contribute to an inclusive, cohesive and accountable society through increased citizen engagement in governance and strengthened accountability and independence of governance structures and institution at the local and national level.
IRCK in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is implementing a project titled ‘Transcending Foundations of Peace and Security for Inclusive and Sustainable Development in Kenya.’ The project aims to address the immediate and underlying causes of conflict and division such as perceived exclusion and marginalization, youth vulnerability, negative ethnicity, divisive political processes, poverty and inequalities, small arms proliferation, limited engagement of women in peace processes, violent extremism, and disputes over natural resources and adverse effects of climate change.
Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) in partnership with Mensen met een Missie (MM) is implementing a project dubbed “Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA)” in Mombasa, Kwale and Nairobi Counties. The project seeks to increase respect and protection for religious minorities by strengthening, sensitizing and connecting duty bearers to claim holders from various backgrounds at County and National levels.
UWIANO Platform for Peace was the brain-child initiative of four organisations namely the National Steering Committee on Peace Building and Conflict Management (NSC) (co-chair), National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) (co-chair), Peace and Development Network Trust (PeaceNet) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Its membership has since grown to include Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), National Police Service (NPS), Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), Council of Governors (COG), Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Kenya Media Council (KMC), Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) and United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).
The Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) in partnership with U.S Department of State is implementing a project dubbed “Building Interfaith Bridges (BIB)” in Mombasa and Nairobi counties. The project seeks to increase respect and protection for religious minorities by strengthening, sensitizing and educating connecting duty bearers to claim holders from various backgrounds at county and national levels.
The Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK), with support from Porticus is implementing a project dubbed “Society United in Diversity (SUID)” that seeks to leverage the influence religious leaders have in triggering meaningful change in society by influencing leaders and communities. The objective of the project is to promote national reconciliation, relevant reforms and accelerated service delivery in Kenya with specific focus in five (5) counties through national dialogue and interfaith cooperation.
Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) in partnership with Mensen met een Missie (MM) and Kenya Community Support Centre (KECOSCE) is implementing a project dubbed “Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB)” in Mombasa and Kwale Counties at the Coastal region of Kenya. The project seeks to increase respect and protection for religious minorities by strengthening, sensitizing and connecting duty bearers to claim holders from various backgrounds at County and National levels.
IRCK Child Safeguarding Policy
The Inter-Religious Council of Kenya as the umbrella body of the main faith communities in Kenya, is committed to the well-being of children. IRCK noted with great concern the continued vulnerability and suffering of children in Kenya through neglect, child labor, trafficking, sexual and physical abuse, exploitation among other inhumane and undignified acts.It is in this regard that IRCK developed a Child Safeguarding Policy to inform her operations.
IRCK launched and presented its child safeguarding policy at Roussel house in Nairobi.
The principles that guided the IRCK policy are best interest of the child in all the organizations endeavors, zero tolerance to discrimination, and respect for child opinion in matters affecting him or her and involvement of the child whenever necessary.
IRCK is committed to the well-being of children, eradicating abuse and exploitation of children across the country to enable them grow and develop to become resourceful people in the society.
Details
Mararo Avenue off Gitanga Road P. O. Box 6352-00200 Nairobi, Kenya