I.8.        Africa, the Future Land of Peace Just like the Renaissance and the Eve of Reformation in Europe, Africa is in the Eve of her peace, greatness and economic emancipation.  A new awareness is now sweeping through the whole world that portends good omen for Africa.  With the end of the Cold War between the United States of America and the USSR, one can be optimistic that peace instead of war will now be visited upon Africa.   The curses and woes of independence that had plagued African nations in the last 60 years are now lifting and their weakening in strength.  With the passing away of the generations of the old politicians who inherited powers directly from the colonialists but lost it to military dictators because of inadequate preparation, stifled opportunities, tribal instead of national worldview, and lack of global vision for development beyond personal aggrandizements, the future looks bright for Africa. a.        Rationale Atola, a Yoruba word, means nearly the same thing as the title of Myles Horton’s and Paulo Freire’s book, We Make the Road by Walking: Conversations on Education and Social Change.  And late Dr. Tai Sholarin, a Nigerian renowned educationist, asked this question during a television discourse on provision of free education in Nigeria “How can you improve on what you do not have”?  It is very important that Africa gets peace first, and then she can improve on it.  From historical perspectives, Africa has not had peace in the right sense of it.  The rationale for this course therefore is to seek peace, pursue and internalize it. b.        Aim The aim of this course is to encourage, on a progressive and systematic basis, the cultivation of new lifestyle that can promote both positive and negative peace in Africa.  As could be seen, the focal point around which all the courses in this curriculum rallied is, “Africa, the Future Land of Peace.”  It would be naive to think that education alone can bring peace; however, an education designed and developed around peace as its theme can contribute to the promotion of peace.   Having undergone this training, the African Student of Peace shall be able to identify the various causes of conflict and violence in Africa and contribute positively to its avoidance, prevention, reduction, eradication and the healing of the trauma and wounds of violence that plague and forestall future peace. c.        Objectives The objectives of this course include -        Identifying and consolidating the new African constituency who will spend their time and energy to promote the African future land of peace. The Africans of the 20th centuries spent their energies winning independence for Africa; Africans of the new millennium should spend their energies to consolidate liberty for Africa. -        With a concerted effort and harnessing of resources, Africans can now stand up for the liberation an reformation of Africa, economically, politically, socially, and religiously. -        Developing a new geo-political Africa where the focus shall not be for cold war but for economic development and advancement -        Riding the tide of the time for peace.  The Zeitgeist (spirit of the moment) is that young Africans want to live a life of peace.  This should be ethos that should influence the policies of all African government. No sweat no sweet, by providing hope through full employment; African youths will spill their sweat for sweet, and not their blood. -        The goodwill of democracy should be spread abroad Africa.  Every African country should embrace and work out their kinds of democracy. -        Encourage Africans in Diaspora to assist in promoting Africa, the Future Land of Peace. Nowadays, several Africans are in forced and involuntary Diaspora.  They have been scattered abroad as a result of violence and economic hard-ship in their own countries. These Africans are professionals: lawyers, doctors, educators, and students in institutions of higher education. They can make their impact if proper sensitized to the need of Africa in the new millennium. d.        Audience Since this is a seminar type of course, all students of the Peace Academy will participate in it.  Colloquiums, forums, workshops will be organized.  Members of the grassroots peace and love clubs from the grassroots communities, churches, mosques, and educational institutions will be in attendance. e.        Teaching Approach The teaching approach shall major be discussions.  Special guests will be invited from the communities, leaders, men and women of God, security agents, government official, educators, etc. f.        Learning Resources Learning resources will include books, relevant journals, personal experience, current affairs, international reports, etc. James M. Washington, A Testament of Hope – The Essential Writings and Speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Deryke Belshaw, Robert Calderisi, Chris Sugden, Faith in Development Kofi Buenor Hadjor, On Transforming Africa.