WOMEN participants at the transformational leadership and character education for peaceful co-existence were told to continue to commit to family unity and raise cultures of peace.
Josephine Teakeni Director of Vois Blong Mere Solomon (VBMS) uttered the statement during the closing of the workshop last Friday.
“You and I will go back into our communities and continue to be committed to family unity, and raising our children in cultures of peace,” Ms Teakeni said.
She thanked UNDP for seeing it fit to support such an initiative and continues support to sustainable peace in Solomon Islands.
“Such training is crucial for women and men as peace makers and builders in our families and communities which will result in a peaceful Solomon Islands.
“We raise families, nurture our children and manage homes. Managers of natural and human resources of our country and so it’s our responsibility to ensure that we sustain peace in our homes and communities.
“We need to be constantly empowered to acquire skills and knowledge to take on the great responsibility,” she said.
Ms Teakeni added that if anyone is to save our nation, “it is us, mothers of Solomon Islands”.
“When times have been difficult in the past, we were there, today we are here and we’ll continue to be peace makers and builders in homes and in our nation,” she stated.
Meanwhile, deputy resident representative of UNDP Akiko Suzaki said that a network of community workers and friendship has been created in this short span of time.
“The concept of knowledge has been delivered and now it is up to you to share this knowledge in your workplace, homes and your communities,” Ms Suzaki said.
“I understand that being a community worker is not an easy work but having the passion for it is what will make you stand out and what will make people draw towards you so be the positive change the people need to see,” she added.
She said to fully achieve sustainable peace within our communities and nation, healing must first of all take place and this you can do in your capacity as a community worker.
Participants’ rep Clera Rikimani said that nothing is more than being a peace maker.
“We are here for a purpose and it is time to make a difference in people’s lives therefore let’s continue to sustain this training in our communities as we go back.
“We are the shoulder of peace and the agent of change in this nation so let us continue to sharing with others,” she said.
The training was funded by UNDP in partnership with VBMS and facilitated by staff of VBMS, Ilukim Sustainability Solomon Islands (ISSI) and Women Federation for world peace Solomon Islands (WFWPSI).
By STEPHEN DIISANGO
