By Bon Peters, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: In a collaborative effort marking the International Day of Peace 2023, the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Eco joined forces with the Centre for Gender, Conflict and Gender Studies at the University of Port Harcourt, HYPREP (Hydrocarbon Pollution and Remediation Project), COFEM, and KABETCACHE to host a significant event known as the Learning Circle.
This collaborative initiative was announced through an official press statement issued and personally signed by the president of Port Harcourt Eco Rotary Club, Rtn. Dr. Anthony Ikpor.
The event, which took place in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers state, served as a platform for extensive discussions and exploration of strategies and actions aimed at contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The primary focus of these goals is the promotion of peace, the establishment of a sustainable environment, and the pursuit of gender equality.
The press statement emphasized the growing necessity for collective action to address pressing global challenges in our interconnected world. It underscored the urgency of promoting peace, gender equality, and a clean and sustainable environment.
The Learning Circle event witnessed the participation of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Eco, academia, students, peace advocates, gender equality experts, sustainability professionals, actors, and media representatives. They came together to relearn and exchange promising methods to promote sustainability in the Niger Delta region.
In the words of the statement, “This novel and multi-sectoral occasion addressed the complex interplay of peace, gender, and environment as critical issues aimed to create a more harmonious and equitable world for all.”
The Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Eco had previously launched six sustainability-based projects for the 2023 Rotary year during the installation of its 3rd President in September. These projects include initiatives related to waste management, tree planting, environmental sanitation, advocacy, girls’ education, flood protection, and support for vulnerable mothers and children.
The statement further highlighted that Rotary Port Harcourt Eco is committed to fostering peace, advancing gender equality, and promoting environmental sustainability. During the Learning Circle event, the club also aimed to raise awareness among academia and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), including students, about its comprehensive array of projects. These projects encompass policy advocacy, grassroots engagement, and community-led and trust-based innovative solutions.
The statement described the Centre for Gender, Conflict and Development Studies as a recognized learning institution for graduate students passionate about scientific methodologies that generate empirical evidence related to gender-related concepts. The ultimate goal is to contribute to global knowledge production and address issues of gender inequality.
The Learning Circle was designed to serve a dual purpose: providing a space for learning and sharing through a supportive and candid community of discussions. It can be initiated by various entities, including communities, faculty members, students, and professional experts interested in leading discussions related to their areas of expertise.
Among the key objectives of the Learning Circle were Peace and Conflict Resolution, aiming to promote peaceful coexistence and conflict resolution through dialogue, mediation, and diplomacy. The club believed that addressing the root causes of conflicts and working toward reconciliation could reduce violence and suffering in the communities they serve.
Gender equality was also at the forefront of the club’s projects, with a commitment to dismantling gender-based discrimination and ensuring equity in intervention approaches. This included advocating for policies supporting women, men, children, and youth participation in community development, leadership roles, education, and economic activities.
Furthermore, the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Eco emphasized its dedication to combating climate change and environmental degradation in the Niger Delta region. It pledged to promote a sustainable and clean environment, encompassing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect biodiversity, and ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all.
Noteworthy strategies and actions emerged from the event, including advocacy for policy reform. This involved engagement with governments, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, and academia to promote policies that advance peace, gender equality, and environmental sustainability, alongside educational awareness and community engagement.
Speaking at the Learning Circle, Prof. Nanibarini Zabbey, the coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution and Remediation Project (HYPREP), emphasized that peace was not a passive concept and highlighted the interconnection between gender equality and environmental sustainability. He stressed that a sustainable future could not be achieved without peace and that gender equality was crucial for both peace and environmental well-being.
In conclusion, the statement reiterated the club’s commitment to the environment, emphasizing that a clean environment represents hope and a catalyst for positive change and community development. It echoed the vision of a world free from conflict, discrimination, and environmental degradation, as articulated by Prof. Zabbey.
