NSPU 2006 Conference on Peace and Somali Unity

[SOO MAAL]

 

 

NSPU 2006 Conference on Peace and Somali Unity

 

Conference objectives

 

The 2006 Conference on Peace and Somali Unity, an inclusive Pan-Somali event, will be held in the Washington Metro Area, during the weekend of December 01 – 02, 2006. The Conference will be sponsored by the Northern Somalis for Peace and Unity (NSPU, a newly founded grass-roots organization with membership primarily from the Northern region of Somalia, is dedicated to the goals of consolidating Somali unity and advocating for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Somali State against the backdrop of the prevailing internal and external disuniting factors.

 

The fall Conference will bring together a wide spectrum of participants, including members of the Diaspora, intellectuals, academicians, diplomats, former statesmen, and senior administrators from around the world. Although the core of the Conference will address the region-specific aspects of the conflict—i.e. Unity versus Secession; Unitary versus Federal—Somali elders, artists, poets, and wise men from all of Somalia will participate and share with us their memories of the golden era of Somali nationalism as well as their thought on the serious challenges facing our nation today.

 

The specific objectives of this Conference are the following:

 

To initiate the first ever serious and meaningful dialogue and open discussion on the question of Somali unity,

To highlight the mistaken belief that the people of the former British Somaliland are united on seceding from the rest of the country.

To emphasize secession as a political strategy is divisive and damaging to the nation state of the Republic of Somalia; and to instead explore effective approaches and strategies to sensitize the Somali people to the dangers of creating “Bantustan-like” enclaves.

To highlight those unifying cultural, social and economic factors and shared interests , from the perspectives of wise men and women, poets, artists and professionals, diplomats and intellectuals.

To consider suitable strategies to lobby the international community to continue its support for the Somali national unity and territorial integrity and to further consolidate its ongoing tireless efforts to assist the process of reconciliation in Somalia.

The details, including updates on the progress of the conference preparatory activities, will be posted periodically on the major Somali websites and the NSPU’s website: www.somaliunity.org. Your support, both moral and financial, towards making this historical event a smashing success will be appreciated.

 

 

NSPU’s 2006 CONFERENCE ON PEACE & UNITY

SPONSORED BY: Northern Somalis for Peace and Unity (NSPU)

 

PLACE: Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, D.C., USA

 

Date: December 01-02, 2006

 

 

CONFERENCE PROGRAM

 

 

TIME SESSIONS EVENT DESCRIPTION

 

Agenda, Friday December 1, 2006

 

5:00 PM– 6:30 PM Pre-registration and informal reception

 

6:30 PM–8:30 PM Preparatory meeting with elders, local organizing committee and Keynote Speakers

 

Agenda, Saturday, December 2, 2006

 

08:00 AM– 09:00 AM Registration

 

09:00 AM– 09:30 AM Welcoming participants and Opening Address. Welcoming and introducing the Key Note Speaker, General Jama M. Ghalib.

 

09:30 AM-10:00 AM General Jama M. Ghalib & Dr. Ali A. Hersi

 

10:00AM–10:15AM BREAK

 

10:15AM– 12:30PM SESSION A Territorial Integrity and Challenges to Unity

 

12:30PM– 1:30 PM Lunch/Salatal Duhur

Recognition of Dignitaries

 

1:30PM – 3:00PM SESSION B Governance and Institution Building

 

3:00PM – 4:30PM SESSION C Current Affairs/ the Rise of the Islamic Courts

 

4:30PM – 5:30PM SESSION D Youth and Unity

 

5:30PM– 6:30PM SESSION E Plenary Session

 

6:30PM - 8:00PM DINNER/Awards and Recognition of organizers

 

08:00PM-10:00PM A celebration of Somali Unity : Music, Cultural dance and fun with the Community

 

 

Agenda, Sunday, December 3, 2006 (Off Site)

 

10:00 AM – 02:00 PM Preparatory Strategic Meeting for Next Year Conference; and

NSPU Annual Meeting

 

 

Somali Unity

Northern Somalis for Peace and Unity (NSPU)

[Liibaan]

SOO MAAL

 

I believe it will be a successful conference,

 

I know many people from Somalia, will be interested to participate particularly people from Awdal, Sanaag, Sool, and Cayn

 

 

People of North Somalia should make their voice heard and show their commitment to peace and unity of all Somalia

[Jaylaani]

I thought this was already held back in September!

[Waaheen]

Interesting. The first time the pro unity constituents from the North are coming toghether. I am very much looking to the outcome of the conference. As shown in the program it certainly has attracted panelists of very diverse background. That is a positive beginning.

 

Waaheen