KPDDN
Karamoja Peace and Development Discussion Network (KPDDN), brings together great thinkers from far and near to engage in a battle of ideas about how practical solutions can be developed to ensure sustainable peace and development in Karamoja. These thinkers come from inside and outside Uganda, are, indigenous and non indigenous Karimojong. The beauty of these discussions is the ability of these people to shed off their ethnic or other differences, and embrace themselves as people that share a common humanity, and need a descent life. KPDDN recognizes the significance of using discussions in knowledge building because of its ability to illuminate issues that could have otherwise remained unknown. Those issues that could remain esoteric are potential threats to sustainable co-existence because of the resultant inability to situate a holistic framework.
Information sharing and knowledge building is a powerful tool for positive social change, this is the threshold for the e-discussion network. Recognizing that nobody knows all, and that everybody knows something, is key in
Peace meeting among the Jie in Kotido District: sustainability of such initiatives is one of KPDDN's discussion focus.
exploring varied viewpoints. Using these varied view points; KPDDN’s e-discussion forum aims to draw discussants and ‘passive’ participants to a comprehensive framework that, not only promotes the buying and selling of ideas, but will result into ideas that can potentially sustain peace and development in Karamoja. Building peace and embracing development in Karamoja demands a willingness of the people of Karamoja to give up the impotence of innocence and become self-determining through involvement and passionate participation in, and ownership of issues that affect them. The ability and effectiveness of development to sustain itself depends, willingness of individuals and institutions to open up to new perspectives. Because the challenge in Karamoja is for the most part the state of lawlessness and insecurity, KDDN creates an atmosphere in which thoughts on these challenges can be elucidated by way of reiterating that acts of vengeance by the sub ethnic groups in Karamoja’s history have always called down new acts of retribution. The issues discussed in this blog should help the people of Karamoja gain consciousness of themselves as subjects and not objects
KPDDN also recognizes the need to rediscover Karamoja through the hidden facts, especially on the potential development spots. The fertile soils, the beautiful culture and people, the cherished traditions, the unique
Zebras in Kidepo Nationa Park-Kaabong Distirct: The beautiful fact about Karamoja.
geographical features of Karamoja and the appealing lifestyle of the people. Even though the Karimojong have their own ‘otherness’ which has been repeatedly written or told, the truth is, not so much knowledge about the positive attributes of the Karimojong has been offered for public consumption.
Also, while many children of Karamoja have got access to opportunities that have exposed them to travel and study, while they are away they do not have so much knowledge about the progress in Karamoja apart from usual focus around communicating with immediate family. A number of Karimojong also live in the Diaspora and have lost a connection to their ancestral origin. This network again brings them home mentally, while they are living elsewhere.
Goal.
The goal of KPDDN is to create a network of people from Karamoja and well wishers who are open to new ideas, and who can use understand Karamoja from several perspectives. This ideological mobility should enable them influence positively, the attitudes of people within their communities.
Major discussion themes.
i. Peace building and disarmament
ii. Education
iii. Economic security
iv. Women and development.
Why KPDDN chose the discussion approach.
The, diverse socio-cultural, economic and political environment in which the peace and development challenge in Karamoja emanate, make these discussions very important, and demands attention from a range of different perspectives. The discussions shall result into:
- Advocacy for implementation strategy that embraces the insiders definition of the issues to be addressed
- Information sharing with development partners and other stakeholders who have interest in Karamoja. This information will again be used as a doorstep for any policy design and implementation.
- Future research by the academia and other researchers. The research will further make known the central issues affecting development and peace building. Thus, potential development partners can base on recommendations from these discussions as an entry point and as a justification for their intervention in Karamoja
- Through this network, the hidden and unexploited development potential of Karamoja will become known, alongside the ‘traditional’ negative presentation of Karamoja in other print and online media.
Discussion ethics.
KPDDN has a range of people that have come together in solidarity, to join heads and thoughts to be able to engage in meaningful discussion and dialogue. The discussions follow a simple set of moral ethics that should guide whoever posts a comment on an issue they are passionate about.
- No one is a monopolist of knowledge, thus discussants should be receptive to the issues presented by different people without making the discussion counterproductive.
- Personal attacks should be avoided, but rather discussions should be presented in a manner that benefits both parties.
- Comments should not be able to provoke more thought, than anger. Also, political comments should be productive without sounding partisan. This is a non partisan discussion platform
There are several pages on this discussion blog that might answer the questions you have in mind, so be sure to explore them before getting to comment on any topic. The frequently asked questions page can guide you on the dos and don’ts of the discussion ethics.
Contact KPDDN at:
