Global Youth Peace Indaba: #WeAreHere

#WeAreHere. Yes we are. With the suspension of the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates, the decision was taken not to allow the conversation to be silenced in South Africa.

The event has been renamed, rebranded and reignited. Now known as the Global Youth Peace Indaba, the conversations will most definitely be happening from 13-15 October, right here in South Africa.

The co-organisers of the original Youth Summit (from the Albert Schweitzer Institute) have decided to offer a programme now titled the Global Youth Peace Indaba, in partnership with the Chaeli Campaign, and with the support of the FW de Klerk Foundation.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation will present a session titled Intergenerational Memory and Transitional Justice, examining the thought-provoking new documentary 1994: A Bloody Miracle.

Facilitated by the film's co-director, Meg Rickards, and the Director of Communications and Outreach at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Danielle Melville, the session will look at the extraordinary position faced by South Africa in the lead-up to its first democratic elections, and reveal the violent struggles – both right-wing plots and internal power struggles within the ANC – that toiled below the surface of the country’s political landscape in an attempt to bring South Africa to its knees. 

In this year that marks the 20th anniversary of democracy and as we celebrate the life and legacy of a global icon – it’s hard to believe that the “Mandela miracle” nearly didn’t happen.

What history forgets is that during the last year of apartheid, South Africa was on the brink of catastrophe, with certain groups intent on derailing the first free elections. Now for the first time, those responsible for the countless deaths and widespread mayhem explain how they nearly brought the country to its knees.

1994 shows how far some went to thwart democracy, but how they have now made an uneasy peace with the “Rainbow Nation” in their own ways.

It is essential to understand what we went through as a country and where we have come from if we are, especially the youth, understand the context that informs our democracy and how they need to take ownership of the legacy left by Madiba to ensure we realise true social justice in South Africa and beyond.

Prof David Ives, Director of the Albert Schweitzer Institute, says the Global Youth Peace Indaba will encourage important dialouge around key issues we face today.

“I have been working with wonderful people on the Gorbachev Foundation Summit Organising Committee and have attended the Summit meetings for the last 10 years.

"I know that the Summit conference itself has inspired many young people around the world by the example and courage of the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates to dedicate themselves to a difficult task that changes the way the world works.

"I was disappointed that the youth of South Africa would not have that same chance and so we hope that our programme will attract the attention of many young South Africans who will join us in this indaba.”

This Global Youth Peace Indaba will host 116 students and young professionals from over 15 countries who will still be travelling to Cape Town to attend workshops, network and learn from world-class speakers and one another.

Opening ceremony: Monday, 13 October

Mayor Patricia de Lille, former President FW de Klerk, Professor David Ives and Chaeli Mycroft will officially welcome delegates to this historic Indaba in Cape Town – a testimony to the amazing things that can happen when people pull together to achieve a common goal. This Indaba has been organised in seven working days and we would like to pay special tribute to:

• Tsogo Sun, who have kindly provided the conference venue free of charge
• Suzanne Ackerman and Gary Kruger of Pick ‘n Pay, who have generously sponsored lunches and stationery goody bags for effective engagement by delegates in the workshops

Offers of assistance are still pouring in from various individuals and companies – making this gathering of youth leaders from across the world an opportunity for collaboration by the people of Cape Town – truly a conference for the people, by the people.

Delegates from across the globe have a right to expect us to make good on a promise for a youth summit – and the citizens of Cape Town have accepted the responsibility of making it happen.

We think Madiba would be proud of us at this time ...

Speakers/presenters:

• FW de Klerk* (1993)
• Danielle Melville* – Director of Communications & Outreach: Nelson Mandela Foundation
• (Nelson Mandela 1993)
• Shan Cretin* – Executive Director: American Friends Service Committee (1947)
• Dr Ira Helfand* – President: International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (1985)
• Prof David Ives* – Executive Director: Albert Schweitzer Institute (Albert Schweitzer 1952) &
• Quinnipiac University
• David Steward* – Executive Director: FW de Klerk Foundation
• Dr Anat Biletzki (University of Tel Aviv)
• Dr Cassandra Veney (Quinnipiac University)
• Prof Eric Atmore (UCT)
• Chaeli Mycroft, winner of 2011 International Children’s Peace Prize (The Chaeli Campaign)

*Nobel Laureates and individuals representing Nobel Peace Prize Organisations

Global Youth Peace Indaba: Partners City of Cape Town
Albert Schweitzer Institute
The FW de Klerk Foundation
The Nelson Mandela Foundation The Chaeli Campaign

End

Issued by the FW de Klerk Foundation on behalf of the Global Youth Peace Indaba, 9 October 2014.

For more information, contact:

Zelda Mycroft, CEO: the Chaeli Campaign
Mobile: 082 700 3729
Phone: 0861 242 354
E-mail: zelda@chaelicampaign.co.za

Media are welcome to attend for the duration – there will be a group photo opportunity at 10h25 on Day 1 of Indaba.

Dates: Monday, 13 October-Wednesday 15 October 2014 (see programme) Time: 09h00 (arrive at 08h30)
Venue: Southern Sun Cape Sun, Strand Street, Cape Town

Media to please send their details to:

Megan Dick, Communications Officer: FW de Klerk Foundation
Mobile: 082 432 1335
Phone: 021 930 3622
Email: megan@fwdeklerk.org