The rise in violence in many corners has tremendously and significantly increased insecurity globally. Security challenges have had disastrous implication on human lives in general but, we believe that doing things differently is one of the ways to address security challenges of our time. Promoting peace & security through militarization may be necessary but not sustainable. Sustainable peace can only be possible when communities learn how to identify shared concerns and find common practical solutions built on trust. At COFP, we focus on repairing relations and rebuilding trust at all levels of society by empowering and supporting citizens and leaders alike to reduce violence. One powerful tool for tackling this challenge is through our COFP Fellowship Program. The purpose of initiating COFP Fellowship Program is to effectively build the capacity of all religious and community actors: men, women and youth, so that they will be able to engage in meaningful & fruitful interreligious/intercultural dialogue, transform conflict and advance ethical leadership which enhances social cohesion, integration and builds a culture of peace.
The fundamental basis of our program is to develop a new approach in dialogue negotiation and peacebuilding that would enable local actors to effectively change the narratives, counter extremism, bridge communities & build resilience for peaceful coexistence. Certificates issued at the end of the Fellowship Program is formally endorsed by the Catholic University of Nigeria (VUNA) and Nile University of Nigeria (NUN), who are partners to the program. Upon completion of the Fellowship program, participants (COFP Fellows) will become members of the COFP Africa Network of Peacebuilders (CANEP). This network enables Fellows and their successors to continually identify potential conflict triggers, prioritize effectively in order to develop lasting impactful solutions, drawing on the skills acquired during the program.
The Conrad Hilton Foundation (CHF), Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and COFP are the core sponsors of this program along with other partners. Experiences and stories from communities so far are evidence that together, we are driving sustainable positive change, advancing a safer and more just society for all through the COFP Fellowship Program.
