• info@windhouseresources.com

• Date/Time

  Date(s) – 22/03/2018  in GHANA

  All Day

• Location

  Chief’s palace

Sankofa: Reclaiming relevant indigenous cultural and ancestral values to make a case for nature-based solutions

The chieftaincy, elders and people of Funko community-located in the Western Region of Ghana- honored World Water Day by creating awareness about the need for circumspection when adopting vices or policies which consequently cause public health problems and are detrimental to the environment. Illegal/unsustainable mining – popularly referred to as “Galamsey”in the country- and fringe activities which indirectly empower the practice are examples of such vices.

The Funko community is close to the Ankobra river and, symbolic of the strong inter-connectivity still existent between most societies and their natural environment. This river is an important source of drinking water for many communities in the Western Region of Ghana- and beyond- but continues to be polluted through illegal mining activities. It flows at least 120 km south to the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic) and is located very close to the western part of Axim, a commercial center of the river basin.

In celebrating this important day, we sought to highlight the important role some historic cultural practices (spoken word, dancing and drumming) and community dialogues can play in influencing the re-adaptation of relevant conservation values which were more commonly applied by the ancestors. Overall, the concept of Sankofa is espoused. Sankofa is a Ghanaian-originated cultural principle which literally means to take back what was lost in order to protect the future. This -arguably- manifests the tenets of sustainability. There are many of such doctrines in many communities across the world.

The principle teaches communities the importance of going back to their roots- and reclaiming worthy values- in order to move forward. For example, the indigenous and unadulterated local anthropological cognition reveres some key natural receptors – such as rivers, wetlands and forests- as deities. By tapping into the novelty of such values, the current mega trend of sustainability would be well anchored and in a way which significantly addresses most of the conservation, food security and sub regional stability challenges existent now. A cultural dance and community dialogue were among the activities undertaken to commemorate the day.

On World Water Day, the funding partner and collaborator for the performances –who is also the founder of Windhouse Resources Systems (WRS)- would reach out to stakeholders to solicit input on case studies concepts intended to be develop in order to make a stronger case for nature-based solutions. WRS is a boutique sustainability consultancy located in Ghana – West Africa.

Contact information
Email Address:

info@windhouseresources.com

Date/Time
Date(s) – 22/03/2018
All Day

Location
Chief’s palace

CAMPAIGN NONVIOLENCE CONVERGENCE: MOMENT OF TRUTH

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Join us on Sept. 21, 2018, International Peace Day, for an evening of reflection on five years of Campaign Nonviolence and the next steps forward, with George Martin, Rev. John Dear,  Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Shane Claiborne, Dr. Ken Butigan & Dr. Kit Evans-Ford, and on Sat. Sept. 22, 2018, for a legal rally and a nonviolent silent march from the Martin Luther King, Jr. statue to the White House for a rally and nonviolent direct action.

Friday, Sept 21. 2018
Gather at 7:00 p.m. at The Festival Center, 1640 Columbia Rd., NW, Washington, D.C. for an evening featuring Campaign Nonviolence The centerpiece of this Week of Actions will be The Moment of Truth – The Campaign Nonviolence Convergence September 21-22 in Washington, DC.  On September 21, we will gather, reflect and prepare.  On September 22, we will assemble at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial, march to the White House, vigil, and take nonviolent action.

As we mark the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., we will march in the spirit of the prophetic declaration he made the night before he was killed: “The choice is no longer violence or nonviolence; it’s nonviolence or non-existence.”  In this moment of truth, we will call on the nation to choose a culture of nonviolence free from war, poverty, racism, and environmental destruction.

Now is the moment of truth for taking action – and for recommitting to the power of truth itself, in light of the many false or misleading statements made by the administration. On September 22, we will take action for peace, economic equality, racial justice and environmental healing – and for a new spirit of truth and nonviolence.

Speakers will include Lisa Sharon Harper, Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr, Kit Evans-Ford, Rev. Ray East, George Martin, Shane Claiborne, and Rev. John Dear.

Join us in Washington at this critical moment of truth.

THE NATIONAL CONVERGENCE SCHEDULE

Friday, September 21, 2018

Location: The Festival Center, 1640 Columbia Rd., NW, Washington, D.C.

4:00pm – 5:30pm: Nonviolence training by CNV with Ken Butigan and Veronica Pelicaric. Free. Dinner available for purchase at The Potter’s House restaurant and bookstore next to the Festival Center.

7:00 pm: Gathering at The Festival Center to celebrate, reflect and share stories on five years of the Campaign Nonviolence movement and discuss next steps. Speakers include CNV leaders Rev. John Dear, Ken Butigan, George Martin, and Kit-Evans Ford. Free-will donations accepted at the door.

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Location: King Memorial, 1964 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024 near West Basin Dr. SW

9:00 am: Rally at the statue of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on the Southside of the Lincoln Memorial, near the Jefferson Memorial Tidal Basin.

10:00 am: Silent March. We will line up in pairs holding signs and walk in silence from the Dr. King statue past the Lincoln Memorial to the front of the White House, where we will stand in silence with signs in Lafayette Park. While some keep vigil in front of the White House, others will participate in nonviolent direct action.

Registration: Please let us know which events you will join and how to contact you.

Please note: CNV is not coordinating lodging or transportation.

This convergence is taking place during the 5th Campaign Nonviolence Week of Actions September 15-23, 2018. Be sure to hold your event locally earlier that week, then join us in DC!

Together in this Moment of Truth, we choose the way of nonviolence and we will take our message to the White House and the nation. Together, our collective actions and voices are calling for an end to the culture of racism, poverty, war, and environmental destruction, and making the choice for nonviolence, peace and truth.

For more information, contact Ryan Hall at Pace e Bene, at info@paceebene.org.

YES! I AM COMING TO WASHINGTON!