tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63669410856269135872024-03-08T07:07:03.888+01:00Paix BurundiEric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-43811670931894664652012-07-17T22:56:00.001+01:002012-07-17T22:56:38.238+01:00UN conference on ATT (July 2nd to 27th July 2012From 6th to 20th of July, with the support of Action On armed Violence and Control Arms, I am participating in the Armed Trade Treaty taking place at UN headquarter in New York. This conference started on 2nd of July and was dedicated to discussions between governments to adopt a strong ATT.
Reason of my participation in this conference
Festival I am coming from Burundi which an affected country of illegal trade and traffic of small arms. I am at second a victim while being child soldier when war started in Burundi and as I left some of my best friends during the war.
At third, I am running an organization “CEDAC” which is helping 25,000 victims of war in Burundi (including widows, orphans and disabled people).
These three reasons pushed me to have a determination for a moving forward with the ATT.
Participants were coming over 193 countries with a commitment for a strong ATT.
Discussions are ongoing and after an opening week, characterized by procedural delays and wrangling, this past week delegates finally got down to content discussions. However they still do not have the basis for negotiation on most of the key elements of the treaty.
The optimistic view is that there will be a negotiating text by Wednesday. However, States are running at least a week behind schedule, and there are now only nine working days left to hammer out an agreement. This is disappointing because so much work was done in preparatory meetings and there is a lot of support for a strong Treaty, but now the sceptics are really blocking. A progressive group of countries has emerged but really should have been more organised from the beginning.
I am very glad to see that many stake holders including representatives of states who are here in New York have a strong commitment with ATT and encourage them to move forward with it not only to fight the illegal trade and traffic of arms but also for the prevention and the assistance for all victims.
For more information about Eric’s Organization, please visit:
www.cedac.webs.com
www.ericniragira.blogspot.com
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/06/22/987333/-Ex-Child-Soldier-Hutu-Now-Leads-Training-Centre-for-Ex-Combatants
http://www.insightonconflict.org/conflicts/burundi/peacebuilding-organisations/cedac/Eric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-46246007383059291442011-12-20T16:24:00.002+01:002011-12-20T16:33:22.561+01:00Conference on Community Security and Community-based DDR (USA and Nederland)From 28th of November to 8th of December 2011, I participated in serie of conferences on community security and community-based DDR in The Hague, Netherland . WFM-IGP’s partners organizing the conference are the Dutch Institute for International Relations ‘Clingendael’, the Dutch Peace, Security and Development Network (PSD Network), and the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC). PSDN, an initiative of the Dutch Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and Clingendael bring together various actors including policy makers, NGOs, business organizations and knowledge institutes on issues of peace, security and development. <br /><br /> The final conference and international policy meetings on, “Community security and community-based DDR,” have bring together representatives from civil society and the UN, in order to share knowledge and enhance the scope and sustainability of the lessons learned about community security and DDR, as well as explore the potential for practical implementation at the grass roots level with policy makers in New York.<br /><br /> As the founder and Executive Director of the Training Centre for the Development of Ex-Combatants (CEDAC), I was invited to participate and serve in ensuring the content of the conference is well informed by broad range of different experiences from around the world.<br /><br />Conference in The Hague (1st December-2nd December 2011)<br /><br />These conferences started in Conflict Research Unit ‘Clingendael’: Bezuidenhoutseweg 161 The Hague; third floor on 1st of December 2011 with a meeting of local expert on DDR from Burundi (Eric NIragira), DRC(Henri BORA),Colombia( Ildefonso Henao) and South Sudan (Geoffrey .L. Duke) with the participation of international expert, policy makers and practitioners.<br />The meetings of local expert was followed the next day by a meeting with presentations of key study of Burundi, Colombia, DRC and South of Sudan.<br />The meeting started with Welcome and introduction by Hans Rouw and Luc van de Goor (Head of the Clingendael Conflict Research Unit) followed by a speech of the representative of Ministry of foreign affairs of Nederland Government.<br />After speeches, participants got an opportunity to assist the presentation of the synthesis report of the expert working group and share views and lesson learned. The afternoon was characterized by the case studies and I took the opportunity to start with my work in CEDAC on the reintegration. I focused my presentation on two aspects of the work of CEDAC in different activities of fighting against armed violence and the socioeconomic reintegration of ex-combatants. The first aspect was different campaigns of sensitization against small arms and light weapons realized in Burundi with the support of UNDP and GRIP. Many ammunition and guns have been collected by CEDAC since 2005.<br />According to the socio-economic reintegration of ex-combatants, we explained how CEDAC helps ex-combatants in generating income with the support of different partners with a particular attention to UNDP. Participants got an opportunity to ask a different question at the presentation which was highly appreciated. The meeting in The Hague was closed by the presentation of other case studies of Colombia, DRC and south Sudan..<br /><br />Conference in New York (5th December-7th December 2011)<br /><br />The conference started on 5th December 2011 by a meeting of local experts with the staff of WFM-IGP at WFM-IGP in New York. The objective of the meeting was to present our work and share the objectives of the conference with UNDP.<br /><br />The conference with UNDP started on 6th December 2011 at Headquarters of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). After a welcoming and introduction of UNDP representative (BCPR) and Clingendael, the floor was given to the local experts from Colombia and Burundi to present their work on reintegration programs. As the local experts from DRC and South of Sudan didn’t get U S, their presentations have been realized by experts from Clingendael Conflict Research Unit. The methodology of the meeting was the same as in the conference in The Hague. After a presentation of each local expert, participants asked questions for clarification. <br />The model of Burundi was highly appreciated and the UNDP representative (BCPR) manifested his will to continue focus his work on Burundi.<br />The conference was closed by the giving of recommendations focusing on how to improve effective reintegration in the field.<br /><br />The following day, we held a meeting dedicated to Burundi with participants coming from different organizations and UN. The objective was to share with them the actual situation on reintegration and insure discuss opportunities of implementing other activities in Burundi. The meeting was closed with a high commitment to work in Burundi.<br /><br />My presentation at International House, 7th of December<br /><br />With the help of two friends from University of Columbia, I got an opportunity to be invited to speak to people in New York about the work of CEDAC at International House. International House is an exceptional residential of 700 members selected from over 100 countries. More than housing for graduate students and trainees in New York City, it offers a unique experience in cross cultural exchange that transcends the classroom.<br />The mission of International House is to enable its members from around the world to live and learn together in a diverse residential community that builds life-long qualities of leadership, respect and friendship.<br />This mission is achieved by daily interaction among its residents through programs, facilities and residential life designed to foster diversity of thought and experience. <br />International House was conceived by the late YMCA official Harry Edmonds following a chance encounter with a lonely Chinese graduate student in 1909. The philanthropy of John D. Rockefeller Jr. and the Cleveland H. Dodge family led to its construction at 500 Riverside Drive in 1924.<br />The international House also hosts speakers each year, previous speakers include Nelson Mandela, and other US and international politicians. On 7th December 2011, I was the guest to speak at international House in front of a large number of interesting people included directors of foundations who were interested in CEDAC and Burundi. I can mention here, Mr Jim Luce, a US philanthropic. As Founder & CEO of Orphans International Worldwide (www.oiww.org), he is working with a strong network of committed professionals to build interfaith, interracial, Internet-connected orphanages in Haiti and Indonesia, and creating a new, family-care model for orphans in Sri Lanka and Tanzania.<br /><br /><br />Jim founded the James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation to support young global leadership impacting positive social change and the NGOs that support them.<br />Then, my presentation was focused on the work of CEDAC and different projects already implemented in Burundi. Participants appreciated the work of CEDAC and the determination of the leader of CEDAC. “The model of CEDAC could be used in other countries that experienced war in different places of the world.”<br />The presentation was closed by a gift from the Director of International House dedicated to the Director of CEDAC.<br /><br />Conclusion<br /><br />The different conferences were very interesting for CEDAC and Burundi and I seize this opportunity to say that in these two weeks of meetings in Nederland and USA, I would like to thank everyone who took a moment to let me share the project in Burundi and thank you for the contribution and encouragement for the work of CEDAC in Burundi.<br /><br />Eric NiragiraEric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-30547313064359957712011-11-30T12:07:00.003+01:002011-11-30T12:18:17.382+01:00CEDAC in process of helping victims of war in Bujumbura areaAs part of the Project "Protection of the transit Site of Maramvya area the province of Bujumbura, the training centre for development of ex-combatants "CEDAC" with the support of UNDP is realizing activities of management of Maramvya Site.<br />This camp complaining IDPs, Refuges and ex-combatants has been managed cause of the call of Burundian Government that solicited a help from UNDP to protect these people who were in bad situation. So, that CEDAC has been chosen among other UN organization as WFP that used food for work during all activities that need human means and Red Cross to provide material tools for construction. <br />CEDAC started its activities with the adduction of water.<br /> Before this activity , habitants of the camps drunk water given by UNICEF and it was not enough cause UNICEF was obliged to transport water from Bujumbura where is so far from the Maramvya Camp.<br /><br />The second activity concerned the management of the track of access to the camp<br />CEDAC used a topographer to draw and manage the track. Notice that the camp was inaccessible before we started to manage the road. We rented truck for the transportation of the sand used to manage the road and the sand was collected by the member of the camps from the Muzazi River<br /><br /> <br /> <br />The final activity was dedicated to the construction of new hangar for the refuges and the management of hangars that have been destroyed by the rains<br /> <br /><br />Let us note that with the support of donors, CEDAC will continue to carry out such work that helps victims of the war in Burundi<br /><br />Eric NiragiraEric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-54058793024603934992011-07-11T18:16:00.002+01:002011-07-11T18:30:48.712+01:00Unite Nations conference on arm trade treaty,Monday 11th july -15th july 2011,New YorkIn the UN office in New York os helding a UN conference on Armed Trade Treaty from Monday 11st to 15th of july 2011. CEDAC has been invited and supported by its UK partner NGO called Action on Armed Violence for attending this important conference .<br />The aim goal of the conference is to share information among states and Civilian society working on arms on how to establish a very strong international treaty on trade and control of arms.<br /><br />ERIC niRAGIRAEric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-83500021296451280462011-06-23T10:35:00.003+01:002011-06-23T10:53:05.108+01:00Landgraaf Training on the reintegration of Ex-combatants,June 19-26With the support of International Alert,I am in the training on the reintegration of ex-combatants organized by Transitional International in Landgraaf ,Nederland.<br />In this small and beautifull city of Holland,courses started on sunday 19th at 3PM by the welcoming speech of Irma Specht,Director of Transition International.<br />Different notions as : Definitions,phases,regional dimensions of DDR,Reintegration planning,DDR in peace agreement,preparing for reintegration,Reintegration strategies and programmes,Economic Reintegration,social and political reintegration,Psycho-social factors,special concerns will be learned in according with simulation exercises;<br />I am very interested by this important training which has highly received the participation of different stakeholders of DDR around the world.<br />I hope also CEDAC will benefit for this important training.<br /><br />Eric NiragiraEric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-55925084039333921942011-06-02T14:34:00.000+01:002011-06-02T14:37:30.614+01:00Communiqué de presse CEDACFaisant suite à des récentes actes de violence que nous remarquons dans quelques provinces du pays et essentiellement la province de Bujumbura Rural,le Centre d’Encadrement et de Développement des Anciens Combattants « CEDAC » a l’honneur de porter à l’opinion nationale et internationale ce qui suit :<br /><br />Le CEDAC condamne énergiquement les actes de violence commises ces derniers temps surtout que nous étions dans une phase post conflictuelle où les efforts de tout un chacun étaient vivement souhaités pour sauvegarder la paix et promouvoir le développement.<br />Ces actes de violence surgissent également au moment où le peuple burundais croupisse dans la misère liée à la pauvreté.<br /><br />Face à tout cela, le CEDAC lance une voix forte aux ex-combattants de garder un comportement responsable en ayant de véritables apôtres de la paix comme nous le prônons pour toujours en combattant toute acte de violence partout où ils se trouvent.<br /><br />Nous encourageons le Gouvernement et toute l’opinion nationale et internationale à utiliser toutes les voix possibles pour favoriser l’arrêt immédiat de ces actes de violence.<br />Au peuple burundais, nous encourageons la culture de patriotisme et de fraternité et aux bienfaiteurs du Burundi, nous leur encourageons à continuer à appuyer le Burundi dans ces moments difficiles.<br /><br />Le CEDAC manifeste sa vive détermination de continuer son programme de lutte contre la violence armée au Burundi en étroite collaboration avec toute partie intéressée, pour un bon avenir du Burundi.<br /><br /><br />Fait à Bujumbura 2 juin 2011<br /><br />Eric Niragira<br /><br />Président Fondateur et Représentant LégalEric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-20978170006895570842011-04-18T15:11:00.001+01:002011-04-18T15:11:57.035+01:00hiEric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-81171748663360868082011-04-18T15:11:00.000+01:002011-04-18T15:11:55.588+01:00hiEric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-79002349682639493222011-04-02T12:17:00.003+01:002011-04-02T12:26:32.916+01:00Training on the role of economic actors in peace building , Sweden,march 31st to 6th april 2011Dear readers ,I would like now to speak a bit about the training on the role of economic actors in the peace building which is been held in Sando ,Sweden ,from 31st march to 6th april.<br /><br />As an actor working in peace building in Burundi,i got a chance to participate in this training which is organized by folke bernadotte academy.<br />The first day was characterised by the analysis of conflict and kee element used to solve any kind of conflict. <br /><br />We are now studying how economic power can be used to prevent conflict .Thhis training gave really an opportunity to share information on social and economic reintegration of formers combatants to people coming from more than twenty countries<br /><br />Eric from Sando ,swedenEric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-8331255251101915562011-01-24T12:36:00.003+01:002011-01-24T12:38:40.002+01:00Conference on armed violence and development,Amsterdam 23rd-25th January 2011From 23rd to 25th January 2011 is holding in Amsterdam a conference on armed violence with stake holders in different region of the world.<br /><br />I have been invited in this conference in order to give my contribution about the work of CEDAC in Burundi.<br />The conference began on Sunday with the reception realized by Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) and IKV Pax Christi who are the main organizers of the conference<br />Today, we started the conference on two aspects as measuring armed violence and victim assistance. I participated in the group of victim assistance with the Moderation of Nerina Cevra, specialist of Survivor right and victim assistance in AOAV. <br />The group started the work with my presentation when I was talking about the work of CEDAC in victim assistance and armed violence in Burundi, a presentation which has been highly appreciated by the participants.<br />According to recovery and inclusion to victims , Dr Ken Rutherford from the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery ,USA, gave his presentation where he showed the importance of Peer to Peer Support in the recovery to victims or survivor of armed violence.<br />I am still continuing the conference and it is really interesting to the work of CEDAC in Burundi.<br /><br />Eric NiragiraEric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-35702068729909471742010-11-08T11:31:00.002+01:002010-11-08T12:00:46.973+01:00Eric in the first meeting of state on Convention on Cluster Munitions,Vientiane,Laos ,november 6-13It is very impressing to talk about my participation in that meeting which is collect all stakeholders in landmine and cluster munition in Laos from 6th to 13rd november.<br /><br />As chairman of the training center for development (CEDAC) ,I have been invited and supported by Mine Action Canada to participate in the Youth Leaders Forum which is is organized in parallel with the meeting of States Parties to the Convention.<br />The objective is to give young people campagners from differents contries of the world an extensive knowledge in the fight against cluster munitios and how to advocate for the implementation of the convention on cluster munitions<br /><br />As Victim Assistance,today on monday,8th november,I was invited by ICBL in the meeting of Victim assistance focal points,survivors of cluster munitions and landmine and other stakeholders in the Cluster Munitions.<br />The intention of the meeting was to share information on Convention and see together what we can do in the pronotion of the implemetantion of the convention and specificaly the implementation of victim assistance in the different countries affected by cluster munitions bombs and landmines.<br /><br />On friday ,12th november,CEDAC,my organisation,in collaboration with Action on Armed Violence (AOAV UK) and Seguridad Humana en Latinoamerica y el Caribe (SEHLAC),are organising an event with the theme : WHAT¹S NEXT IN HUMANITARIAN DISARMAMENT<br />Opportunities for civil society engagement.<br />We want all civilian societies present in the conference,to be informed about where we are with the rogram and what can be done in the future.<br />I remain convinced that this meeting will have a positive impact on countries which require assistance to victims and the fight against armed violence.<br /><br />Eric from Laos VientianeEric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-26758207065976698142010-09-29T14:39:00.002+01:002010-09-29T14:44:28.683+01:00My Trip to New YorkFrom September 17 to 24, 2010, I undertook a mission to New York to attend several civil society events organized on the margins of the High-Level Plenary Meeting of the UN general Assembly taken in New York from 20 to 22 September 2010. I was invited and supported by Action On Armed Violence "AOAV», a UK organisation working in partnership in fight against armed violence and victim assistance.<br /><br /> It is not easy to describe in a few words how I found New York City but that town with the headquarters of the United Nations was interested me from the economically and socially point.<br />With large buildings in floor, I admired the order that reigns in the road despite a large number of vehicles that circulate New York.<br />Despite their different colours, languages, culture and religion, the mutual respect that characterizes people who live in New York left me feeling a good example that everyone else might follow for peaceful coexistence and a real global change.<br /><br />Then, the activities began with a series of meetings organized by international organizations in which my organization CEDAC supported a pact on peace and security prepared by AOAV" Global Call to Action Again Poverty "CGAP" and "The World We Want 2015.<br /> My statement was based mainly on the integration aspect of armed struggle against violence in the final document of the MDGs.<br /><br />Wednesday, September 22, 2010, by Carla De Ycaza, teacher at New York University, I had the opportunity to respond to the invitation of the university students who wanted to know a lot about my work in Burundi through CEDAC which I am a legal representative. <br />They have appreciated the work done by the PMRC in its effort to contribute to the fight against armed violence and promoting development.<br />I want to thank any one for the time he spent for meeting with me and AOAV which funded my mission in New York.<br /><br /><br />Eric NiragiraEric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-23795629814730965562010-07-15T16:11:00.001+01:002010-07-15T16:13:44.457+01:00To reinforce the communicative competence of Burundi Civil Society Organisations leaders is a necessityOn 12th July, 2010, the Forum for the Reinforcement of the Civil Society in collaboration of ARCANE organized a workshop of sensitizing leaders of Burundi Civil Society Organizations under the theme ‘The dynamic of communication and the use of the Burundi Civil Society website.’<br /><br />This workshop held at Novotel Hotel came as an opportunity given to Burundi civil society organizations leaders in order to the role of effective communication in terms of meeting the missions and the goals of the organizations they lead.<br />CEDAC, one of the civil society organizations whose mission is to train ex- combatants for the social and development integration took part in that workshop.<br /><br />Inviting CEDAC in such workshop is a sign that shows the degree of contribution that it gives to the building of a peaceful civil society in by giving hope and healing to people who experienced war wounds and atrocities <br /><br />An other focus point of the workshop was to invite the leaders of civil society organizations to update the website by publishing what they realize, what is also to advertise for their organizations.<br />Let’s remind that the website is www.societecivile-burundi.org<br /><br />By Niyongabo Jean Baptiste.Eric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-72015428770125574222010-05-27T09:24:00.002+01:002010-05-27T09:34:47.176+01:00My Visit to GenevaFrom 11 to 13 May 2010 I made a working visit to Geneva, the capital of the Swiss Confederation. This town which is also a hub of international diplomacy has touched me at first by its geographical situation. It has the same as Bujumbura in Burundi. Indeed ,many of my friends from the Swiss have always said that Burundi and is Switzerland of Africa.<br />I also admired the UN headquarters and it was for me an opportunity to contemplate where the decisions that engage the world are taken.<br /><br />I went to Geneva in a summit that was dedicated to the Oslo commitments in the fight against armed violence and its integration into the MDGs .56 states had responded to the invitation and I was representing civil society of Burundi. The summit was fenced on a commitment by States and civil society to support commitments in Oslo. <br />I am interested in positive step already achieved and that will contribute to the recovery of armed violence worldwide.Eric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-2785581646221715822010-04-26T18:06:00.003+01:002010-04-26T18:19:30.886+01:00Women ex-combatants in full operation of development programSince Wednesday, 21 April 2010 to 23 April, I visited women ex-combatants in the four municipalities of the province of Bujumbura Rural, Kabezi, Isale, Mutimbuzi, and Kanyosha. <br />The aim was to give an account of the evolution of the peer support program which is being directed by leaders of CEDAC. These facilitators have been trained by Survivor Corps to assist women ex-combatants and ex-combatants in general who have been affected by the trauma of war. <br />The objective of this program is to heal the trauma caused by war and prepare them for development. <br />The other purpose of my visit was to provide these women ex-combatants; researchers from Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs came to realize the current state of the DDR in Burundi. <br />All the women we met greatly appreciate the contribution of CEDAC in the program of reintegration of ex-combatants and are asking CEDAC to continue to advocate for them in the future especially as they have begun to micro-projects which need to be supported <br /><br />Eric NiragiraEric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-5168920789841650322010-04-05T17:00:00.001+01:002010-04-05T17:02:46.619+01:00Training on Peer SupportTraining on Peer Support<br /><br />This Monday, March 5, 2010, CEDAC in collaboration with Survivor Corps has begun a program of training in the approach of peer support to women ex-combatants, leaders of community groups of Communes Kanyosha, Isale, and Mutimbuzi Kabezi.<br /> . <br />These four municipalities were chosen by the fact that they contain the majority of ex-combatants of the last province that has experienced war, Bujumbura Rural <br /><br />This approach innovated by Survivor Corps is to help survivors overcome the barriers related to traumatic experiences they have experienced because of the war. <br /><br /><br />The introductory word has been uttered by Mr Pierre Claver Nsengiyumva, Country Director of Survivor Corps in Burundi, who expressed the objective of training and expectations of Survivor Corps after training. <br /><br />The Chairman of CEDAC, Eric Niragira hope that this training is a beginning of a true reconciliation based on the development especially that we are in a post conflict phase in which efforts of everyone are needed. <br /><br /><br />This training will last three days begin in a unique atmosphere. <br /><br />Eric NiragiraEric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-19629927132977111542010-03-21T12:16:00.000+01:002010-03-21T12:37:00.517+01:00The CEDAC started a new concept of reintegration of former combatants around the water programsWith its Belgian partner Global Water Institute "GWI, CEDAC has signed a partnership agreement with this NGO which aims to reintegrate ex-combatants in Burundi around the water programs. This is the result of a field visit of 20 days of GWI’s President; Ms. Valerie Ndaruzaniye has done in Burundi to realize the achievements of CEDAC and share with CEDAC’s members their aspirations on programs related water and prevention of conflicts related to water. <br /><br />Currently, when we talk about warm weather, members of CEDAC have expressed their strong desire to contribute to the success of this project especially that this project will give them a work. In all municipalities visited, members of CEDAC expressed a warm welcome to the President of GWI event with a march led by the dancing drummers of Burundi. <br />On the posters, saying "we lust for drinking water for all" <br /><br />The visit was concluded with a round table made by dignitaries of Burundi and the donors working in Burundi. This meeting was organized by CEDAC and GWI and the goal was to present the initiative to the decision makers to solicit their support. <br />I would not fail to thank the Belgian NGO for its will expressed in the reintegration of ex-combatants in Burundi while hoping that this example could be followed by other donors wishing to assist Burundi .<br /><br />Eric NiragiraEric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-3021854529963814412010-03-18T18:24:00.000+01:002010-03-18T18:30:00.373+01:00Eric Niragira,President of CEDAC and the Niarchos Prize 2010This is an opportunity for me to express my gratitude and thanks to Survivors Corps and his team who has submitted my nomination for Niarchos Prize 2010.<br />This award represents to me and CEDAC a sign of encouragement to outstanding against people who have dedicated their lives to help and assist vulnerable people and victims of conflits. It also gave me a hope that my work to of assisting ex-combatants and transform them into leaders is appreciated by many personalities, which gives me hope that the future of this program is better.<br />This award will allow me to strengthen programs to assist survivors of the war in Burundi and I will also strengthen the institutional capacity of CEDAC.<br />May everyone follow this good example of Survivor Corps to decrease the suffering of survivors of war and participation in conflict prevention.<br />The road is still long but I believe that together we can prepare a better world for future generations<br /> <br />Eric NiragiraEric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-60620578360949261062010-02-03T18:26:00.000+01:002010-02-03T18:28:00.173+01:00Do not be discouraged when things do<br />not go as you had planed, because what<br />is not possible today, will be possible tomorrow.<br />But remember, Big vision requires Big Dream,<br />Big Dream requires Big Action and<br />Big Action requires Big Commitment.Eric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-34303448266837091372010-01-14T16:42:00.000+01:002010-01-14T16:45:10.209+01:00Field visit to Burundi by the Special Delegate of the Howard Buffet FoundationField visit to Burundi by the Special Delegate of the Howard Buffet Foundation<br /><br />This Thursday, January 13, 2010, in collaboration with the Representative of Survivor Corps in Burundi, Mr Pierre Claver Nsengiyumva, Eric Niragira, Founder President and Chairman of CEDAC, representatives of Care International and the Special representative of the Howard Buffett Foundation, Mr Koffi, visited women ex-combatants, member of CEDAC in province of Bujumbura Rural, to analyze the step already taken in DUSHIGIKIRANE project funded by the Howard Buffett Foundation. <br /><br />The objective of visit was also to notice progress and lessons already learned by women ex-combatants as part of this project. <br /><br />This project aimed at social and economic reintegration of female ex-combatants focused on three approaches, the first is to strengthen the female ex-combatant groups in the system of micro credit. This approach is realized by Care International. <br />Then the second approach consists to strengthen the women ex-combatants capacity on the rice plantation where new quality more productive were developed and given to female ex-combatants for planting. <br />IRRI dealing with that approach, gives women ex-combatants all necessary equipment from sowing to harvest. <br /><br />The third approach is to train women ex-combatants on education approach to peer support, which is to assist survivors, touched by the trauma of war and to help them go beyond past and become normal people. <br /><br />All partners who were there enjoyed the project development and the meeting ended with a remarkable appreciation from the Special delegate of the Howard Buffett Foundation<br /><br />Eric Niragira<br /> <br />Founder president of CEDACEric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-33988957752663305422010-01-05T11:08:00.001+01:002010-01-05T11:16:02.844+01:00Who is Claver Nsengiyumva ,Burundi<br /><br /><br />In Burundi, it is really difficult to talk about a very clear personal biography for different reasons. One of them is due to the Burundian culture itself which makes Burundian, people with reserved behaviour.<br />Hellas, this last year was for me an opportunity to discover a remarkable person and who have been for me an opportunity to improve my vision for Burundi and worldwide in general. I could just say here that nothing is happened by hazard. There are many things happened to us and we let them pass without seizing an opportunity to think about the signification. Some times it is a good event and for other circumstances a bad event. So, after an entire year I noticed that is wasn’t a simple meeting with this person that I am going to describe here.<br /><br />This man who marked me is Claver Nsengiyumva, country director of Survivor Corps, an American NGO which helps survivors of trauma to give back and build themselves their life and become leader .Someone who speaks kindly, calmly, simply and with a remarkable analysis when giving his opinion. I met him in August 2008 when I responded a call from the General Directory of Ex-combatants in Burundi who asked me to in contact with Survivor Corps and talk about its program of assisting survivors in Burundi. During that period I represented a training centre for development of ex-combatants “CEDAC” which helps ex-combatants to rebuild Burundi by their contribution.<br />I decided then to meet him in the office of CEDAC. Concerning the international NGO, I was waiting a foreign person but what I saw was contrary <br />Claver came with Ms Patricia Ntahorubuze ,ex project manager in the « Association des femmes juristes du Burundi » .My first look didn’t permit me to discover Mr Claver because he was very simple and when we started with presentation each other ,I found finally who is the country director of Survivor Corps .<br /><br />Being former combatant I didn’t think that I could meet another person with different ethnic of mine and who can share the same vision as me for the future of Burundi. His outspoken and commitment has finally shown that there some Burundian people who go beyond their ethnic appurtenance and demonstrate a good vision for Burundi. His NGO has finally made an agreement with CEDAC about implementing their project in Burundi with the collaboration of CEDAC. <br /> Sometimes he told me: « Eric, the only mission that we have is to make a change to the world and this is our mission from God and we must do it on ealth »<br /><br /><br /> His belief that what is happened to every person is the result of what he declares touched me .He said “it is why we must always declare good things”.<br /> I should mention that this is not at all easy to spend four years at the control of an organization without adequate financial resources. Sometimes to accomplish certain tasks, I had to use my personal resources which were not sufficient and borrow sometimes when necessary.<br /> <br />My encounter with him helped me to build and develop appropriate links which allow me to accomplish the mission that I am assigned. <br /><br />Through him, I had opportunity to meet with the staff of Survivor Corps who came from Washington and his advocacy finally gave me occasion of gaining knowledge that would be useful for me in the future. <br />In January 2009, I found an opportunity of a training organized in Kigali by Survivor Corps and say here it was my first opportunity to travel by plane. At the airport, he looked at me and said: "You are very comfortable for the short trip to Kigali? In just one year, you will have opportunity to travel around the world» <br /><br />Three months later, I received another training mission in Uganda on behalf of the East African Action Network on Small Arms and October 2009, another training mission on Human Rights for Women in Nairobi.<br /> <br />In December 2009, should be held an international conference on the fight against mines to be held in Cartagena Colombia. When I met him he told me "Look Eric, I want you to posture in my place to this conference in order to meet people who help you get through your vision. » No sooner said than done. <br />I completed my form and I picked him as my reference and as usual, my application has been accepted without problem. <br /><br />I went to this conference which was highly interesting, saw the very important people that I met there<br /> <br />What I found on him during the way of more than a year could be described in a whole novel but this little paper is to report to my readers that there are Burundian who think beyond their country and are really committed to helping for a good future of Burundi. May God grant him strength and courage for 2010Eric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-10466366289803934712010-01-05T11:08:00.000+01:002010-01-05T11:10:30.245+01:00Who is Claver Nsengiyumva ,Burundi<br /><br /><br />In Burundi, it is really difficult to talk about a very clear personal biography for different reasons. One of them is due to the Burundian culture itself which makes Burundian, people with reserved behaviour.<br />Hellas, this last year was for me an opportunity to discover a remarkable person and who have been for me an opportunity to improve my vision for Burundi and worldwide in general. I could just say here that nothing is happened by hazard. There are many things happened to us and we let them pass without seizing an opportunity to think about the signification. Some times it is a good event and for other circumstances a bad event. So, after an entire year I noticed that is wasn’t a simple meeting with this person that I am going to describe here.<br /><br />This man who marked me is Claver Nsengiyumva, country director of Survivor Corps, an American NGO which helps survivors of trauma to give back and build themselves their life and become leader .Someone who speaks kindly, calmly, simply and with a remarkable analysis when giving his opinion. I met him in August 2008 when I responded a call from the General Directory of Ex-combatants in Burundi who asked me to in contact with Survivor Corps and talk about its program of assisting survivors in Burundi. During that period I represented a training centre for development of ex-combatants “CEDAC” which helps ex-combatants to rebuild Burundi by their contribution.<br />I decided then to meet him in the office of CEDAC. Concerning the international NGO, I was waiting a foreign person but what I saw was contrary <br />Claver came with Ms Patricia Ntahorubuze ,ex project manager in the « Association des femmes juristes du Burundi » .My first look didn’t permit me to discover Mr Claver because he was very simple and when we started with presentation each other ,I found finally who is the country director of Survivor Corps .<br /><br />Being former combatant I didn’t think that I could meet another person with different ethnic of mine and who can share the same vision as me for the future of Burundi. His outspoken and commitment has finally shown that there some Burundian people who go beyond their ethnic appurtenance and demonstrate a good vision for Burundi. His NGO has finally made an agreement with CEDAC about implementing their project in Burundi with the collaboration of CEDAC. <br /> Sometimes he told me: « Eric, the only mission that we have is to make a change to the world and this is our mission from God and we must do it on ealth »<br /><br /><br /> His belief that what is happened to every person is the result of what he declares touched me .He said “it is why we must always declare good things”.<br /> I should mention that this is not at all easy to spend four years at the control of an organization without adequate financial resources. Sometimes to accomplish certain tasks, I had to use my personal resources which were not sufficient and borrow sometimes when necessary.<br /> <br />My encounter with him helped me to build and develop appropriate links which allow me to accomplish the mission that I am assigned. <br /><br />Through him, I had opportunity to meet with the staff of Survivor Corps who came from Washington and his advocacy finally gave me occasion of gaining knowledge that would be useful for me in the future. <br />In January 2009, I found an opportunity of a training organized in Kigali by Survivor Corps and say here it was my first opportunity to travel by plane. At the airport, he looked at me and said: "You are very comfortable for the short trip to Kigali? In just one year, you will have opportunity to travel around the world» <br /><br />Three months later, I received another training mission in Uganda on behalf of the East African Action Network on Small Arms and October 2009, another training mission on Human Rights for Women in Nairobi.<br /> <br />In December 2009, should be held an international conference on the fight against mines to be held in Cartagena Colombia. When I met him he told me "Look Eric, I want you to posture in my place to this conference in order to meet people who help you get through your vision. » No sooner said than done. <br />I completed my form and I picked him as my reference and as usual, my application has been accepted without problem. <br /><br />I went to this conference which was highly interesting, saw the very important people that I met there<br /> <br />What I found on him during the way of more than a year could be described in a whole novel but this little paper is to report to my readers that there are Burundian who think beyond their country and are really committed to helping for a good future of Burundi. May God grant him strength and courage for 2010Eric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-37317455350686531492009-12-10T13:09:00.002+01:002009-12-10T13:18:40.047+01:00My stay in Cartagena,ColombiaHellas, after my participation in world summit for mine-free, in Cartagena, Colombia, it is necessary to me to share information with others and to give my opinion about my experience there.<br />Cartagena, at more than ten thousand km from my country, it is a very beauty city near the Atlantic Ocean and characterized by the old houses which let know to every one its historical importance for Colombian people with their welcoming spirit<br /><br />Then, I have been invited to participate in the conference as one of the Youth Leaders by Mine Action Canada, to contribute and share information against landmine.<br />This meeting marked by a series of meetings and exchanges between different stakeholders (representatives of governments, officials of international organizations, ...) gave me an opportunity to meet many actors involved in this field and especially the team Survivor Corps represented by Kan Rutherford, Nerina Cevra, Nate McCray, Sheeren, Albert .The same opportunity was afforded me to meet some representatives of governments such as Burundi, DRC and the U.S.<br /> Everyone enjoyed the work in Burundi by my organization in support survivors to reintegrate into the community. I am delighted, as young survivor, to discover a deep motivation that characterized the participants Cartagena, especially their contributions in the fight against mines and victim assistance.<br />Let’s stand up together and support the measures taken in Cartagena summit to prepare a better future for the world.Eric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-51549031578947988572009-11-08T10:43:00.002+01:002009-11-08T10:45:55.237+01:00Training in human right for women NairobiFrom 1st to 14th November 2009 in Nairobi held training on human right for women in east Africa. The training is organized by the Africa Youth Trust with the support of Swedish International for Development Agency « SIDA ».<br />Participants were coming from six countries such as Burundi, Rwanda, and Tanzania, Uganda Kenya, Ethiopia and concerned leaders of youth in those countries.<br />During this training, I had opportunity to share experiences about different projects implemented in other countries and different international instruments being used on all program relating to gender issue.<br />This last week, we were learning experiences from Liberia, Somalia and Seara Leone<br />Different instruments as Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women “CEDAW”, International Humanitarian Law, and United Nations Resolution 1325, Universal Declaration on Human Right….were in the center of discussion.I appreciated much this training which gives me opportunity to improve my knowledge and advocacy for women ex-combatants in BurundiEric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6366941085626913587.post-13055117018615888372009-09-14T09:12:00.001+01:002009-09-14T09:17:35.317+01:00Peer support for change in the worldMany do not realize the change that can lead people to think when they solve their problems by referring to their previous experiences. Indeed, this is what I have seen from a training seminar for peer educators of CEDAC on the theme "Peace begins at home’<br /><br />This training funded by the Gender Unit of the United Nations Integrated Office in Burundi to CEDAC had as main methodological tool, the approach of Peer Support, invented by Jerry White, founder of Survivor Corps. Based on his experience, Jerry White has revealed the five steps that should help the survivor to overcome her traumatic experience. The method of Peer Support also shows behavior that must show a pair facing a survivor. The knowledge gained on this tool from my training by an expert from Survivor Corps in Kigali in January 2009 gave me an opportunity to realize my abilities to perform the change. I once had the opportunity to present this method of Survivor Corps, at the seminar which was conducted from September 10 to 11, 2009. This training was dedicated to the leaders of CEDAC coming from six provinces in the North West of Burundi and had as objective the acquisition of knowledge that should enable them to consolidate the peace by taking as a model their respective homes. In presenting the approach of Peer Support, all participants were greeted warmly and they said “It was the single best approach to consolidate the social fabric of Burundi”. The sharing of experiences has been more interesting for participants. The sponser, after seeing the interest of the training has decided to expand training to other provinces. His goal was that peer educators can actually have the knowledge which could help them to contribute to the change of Burundi, in short, peace building and development. I am deeply motivated by this method shows a great impact on the future of Burundi and needs to be supported.<br /><br />Eric NiragiraEric Niragirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513393067154849853noreply@blogger.com0