On May 25th, 2024, the International Dialogue Centre - KAICIID proudly joins the global community in celebrating Africa Day. This day honours the rich cultural heritage and diverse achievements of the African continent and underscores the importance of solidarity, dialogue, and cooperation in fostering peace and unity. It reaffirms the vision for a prosperous and integrated continent driven by its own citizens, as articulated in the African Union's Agenda 2063.

KAICIID's celebration of Africa Day is not merely symbolic; it reflects a deep-seated commitment to the continent's growth and stability. By standing in solidarity with Africa, KAICIID emphasizes the importance of collective action through dialogue, addressing the unique challenges faced by the continent, promoting unity and peace, supporting local solutions, and highlighting Africa’s wealth of best practices. As Kwame Nkrumah once said, “It is clear that we must find an African solution to our problems, and that this can only be found in African unity. Divided we are weak; united, Africa could become one of the greatest forces for good in the world.”

As a continent driven by faith and tradition, religious and traditional leaders play an influential role in shaping and promoting valuable practices in their communities. Amidst the ongoing conflicts and social and economic challenges, religious leaders have proven to be powerful voices of hope, connecting with the most marginalized in the community, building sentiments of cohesion and peaceful coexistence, and bringing forth solutions to the decision-making level. As articulated by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, Co-Patron of the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP), “We religious leaders are closer to the people in the grassroots.” Through KAICIID’s work, religious leaders have been empowered to dialogue and promote values essential for peaceful coexistence and sustainable development among their communities.

In Africa, where religious diversity is both a strength and a source of tension, interfaith platforms have been essential in building trust among different faiths, leveraging the potential of interfaith dialogue at community and policy levels. At the continental level, KAICIID supports the African Union Interfaith Dialogue Forum (AU-IFDF), a platform of religious leaders and entities engaged in cross-country interfaith initiatives that focus on advancing Agenda 2063. This cross-sectoral approach brings the interests and moral imperatives of Africa’s faiths into policymaking. Their work with the AU ensures that religious leaders are engaged at the highest level of decision-making.

In Nigeria and the Central African Republic, KAICIID has supported local partners in establishing the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP) and the Plateforme des Confessions Religiueses de Centrafrique (PCRC) bringing together leaders from different religious faiths to address national and sub-national challenges and develop collaborative local solutions. Through these dialogue platforms, faith leaders and actors have contributed to freedom of religion and belief, interfaith education for conflict prevention, mediation and rehabilitation, religious and political hate speech prevention, climate change mitigation, and increased food security.

Capacity development has been integral to KAICIID’s work in Africa. For instance, KAICIID has supported the transformation of higher education in the Central African Republic by integrating conflict prevention and resolution into the curriculum of the national university through an Interreligious Dialogue core module.  Additionally, workshops for journalists on conflict-sensitive reporting have supported the creation of a media network working to support the implementation of the National Plan Against Hate-speech. In Nigeria the IDFP produced an Interfaith Code of Conduct (ICoC) to foster harmony and mutual collaboration, grounded on core values of Islamic and Christian teachings. In supporting local initiatives and solutions, the IDFP has also established a primary school and nursery in Pigba IDP Camp, providing educational opportunities for over 200 internally displaced children with a focus on interfaith education.

Enhancing coordination between religious leaders and policymakers in Nigeria, KAICIID supports the establishment and coordination of the Network for Religious Leaders and Policymakers, ensuring that recommendations lead to more inclusive and interreligious policies implemented nationally.

The focus on creating sustainable dialogue platforms that inform community approaches and policy has transformed dialogue opportunities nationally and regionally, highlighting the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration among key stakeholders, particularly religious leaders and policymakers, and mainstreaming interfaith dialogue in media, education systems, policy, and grassroots initiatives.

“As we celebrate Africa Day, KAICIID reaffirms its commitment to support and empower African communities, demonstrating the transformative power of interfaith dialogue and cooperation. In celebrating Africa Day, KAICIID not only honours the continent’s rich heritage but also pledges to continue working towards a future where peace and understanding prevail in the continent,” said a Mr. Agustin Nunez, Senior Programme Manager, Africa Region and official KACIID spokesperson.

KAICIID’s projects and partnerships in Africa continue to create lasting impacts by promoting interfaith dialogue, supporting local initiatives, and enhancing the capabilities of religious and community leaders. These efforts contribute significantly to the continent’s stability, peace, and development, aligned with the African Union's vision for the future. ​​