Peacebuilders
The African Reform Institute
11 February 2010
The African Reform Institute, established by RTC peacebuilder Trevor Maisiri, has launched a new website for peacebuilders across Africa. The website aims to bring together people who believe in the transformation of Africa and provides a forum for them to collaborate meaningfully and to share research and information that will lead to real changes in Africa’s political systems.
Trevor explains his vision for the African Reform Institute, “ARI and its website were developed to create visibility of the needs of Africa’s political landscape, which has so far been a major determinant in conflicts and wars across the continent. We believe these situations arise from the dire lack of values-based leaders, those who see the value of human life above their own need for power.”
“Africa needs leaders who are accountable to their people, not simply because they have to be, but because they believe it’s the right thing to do. Due to the mystification of Africa’s political succession, younger generations are unprepared for future roles in political leadership. We intend to raise awareness of this reality, which needs to be addressed in order to produce the right kind of leaders who can transform Africa’s political systems.”
Through their work and by using their website as a vehicle, the African Reform Institute aim to raise awareness of the challenges facing Africa, which they hope will ultimately lead towards finding solutions to Africa’s enduring political crises.
“We aim to inspire hope for change in the younger generations, to change their mindsets and how they view African politics, to demonstrate that everybody can and should play an active part in politics, not just the privileged few. By starting work from the grassroots, transforming communities on an individual basis, we believe we can help to influence future changes higher up in the political system.”
“We hope our message will reach those aspiring to political leadership, those researching the political and socio-economic nature of African states, and those looking to transform their own communities. We also hope it will reach those who wish to see Africa’s political leadership become more responsible and accountable for their actions, including those leaders who recognise their own need to change in order to conform to the demands of this age.”
The African Reform Institute was founded in Zimbabwe, but they hope to expand from there to encompass other countries. “We hope the website will allow us to form a world-wide network of like-minded organisations and individuals who believe in the transformation of Africa, so that there is a platform through which ideas can be exchanged and those from different African states and throughout the world can work together to change our world for the better.”
“My training with RTC was a big inspiration in starting this project. Through RTC I was challenged to go and see what I could do within my own community and country, and this is the result.”
For more information about the African Reform Institute, please visit their website at http://www.africanreforminstitute.com.