Addis Ababa, Ethiopia—A UPF-Ethiopia Ambassador for Peace has completed a training course in nonviolent conflict transformation.
Wondwossen Hagos, a professor of international management, took part in the Nonviolent Conflict Transformation (NVCT) Tools and Approaches Training from August 10 to 15, 2015.
The training was held by the German Corporation for International Cooperation in its office in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital. The international development organization, which is known by the initials GIZ, is operated by the German federal government.
Anne Dietrich, a peace advisor with GIZ who is in charge of capacity development, originally invited UPF-Ethiopia Secretary General Simon Amare Tekeba for the training, after learning about UPF’s activities. Because Simon was unable to attend, he recommended Wondwossen, a longtime Ambassador for Peace.
Twenty-eight participants attended, representing governmental and non-governmental organizations—most of which are concerned with the issue of peace. However, universities and other educational institutes were also represented.
The training included exercises and discussions with the goal of having the trainees become adept in non-violent approaches to conflict.
Wondwossen learned a lot and expressed his determination to share the contents with other Ambassadors for Peace and members. He was so active and dynamic during the training that the other participants noticed his viewpoint on peace. He had the opportunity to explain the UPF principles of peace with the participants and to invite them to the UPF-Ethiopia office to learn more.
Ms. Dietrich of GIZ said she appreciated Wondwossen’s active participation. UPF hopes to work closely with GIZ in the future.