Nyerere Centre for Peace Research
Arusha, Tanzania
Mission
The Nyerere Centre for Peace Research is a joint effort of the East African Community (EAC) and Arcadia University that provides an academic resource to the member states of the EAC. Engaging in policy research and analysis, data collection and training, the Centre will support decision-makers, Civil Society Organisations and the community to build capacity and promote the peaceful settlement of conflict in the region. Projects and programmes link theory and practice and carry out basic and applied research on issues relevant to peace building and conflict resolution.
The Centre's Work
The Centre hopes to embrace and continue Nyerere's vision of peace, freedom and democratic transformation. As such, the Centre aims to provide a resource where members of the community can meet to discuss relevant issues, share information and affect peaceful change.This work helps to identify the EAC as a leader in Peace Research and Education.
Location
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The Nyerere Centre for Peace Research is located at the site of the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. Housed in the Princess Margaret House on the former State House Compound (Barabara ya Afrika Mashariki), the Centre will preserve and celebrate the heritage of this site and draw on the distinct culture of East Africa as a means to promote peace.
Projects and Programs
Programmes fall under a variety of areas and interests including peace and conflict resolution, cultural heritage, and training. They are interactive and designed to exchange information and assist in areas identified by partners for research and development.
Development of conflict resolution and training programmes
Data collection for early warning indicators
Policy analysis and research for EAC members
Cross-cultural peace symbols
Historical preservation of the "Princess Margaret House"
Research Library
CSO database clearinghouse
Objectives
Objectives are targeted to build capacity in the region and support the EAC and its mandate to incorporate peace and security into policy areas. The Centre aims to build capacity in the region by strengthening local networks, developing regional partnerships, and enhancing access to information.
Julius Kambarage Nyerere
"Even after Nyerere had stepped down from public office in his own country, we benefited from his leadership and wise counsel, in pursuit of development, peace and justice not only in our countries, our region and our continent, but throughout the world." ~ Nelson Mandela
Julius Kambarage Nyerere was born on April 13, 1922, in Butiama, Tanganyika, to local Zanaki chief, Nyerere Burito. At the age of 12 he began his education at the Government Primary School in Musoma, walking 26 miles each day to attend classes. He completed his schooling a year early and then transferred to the Tabora Boys Government Secondary School. In 1943 he moved on to Makerere University for a certificate in Education, and then returned to Tabora to teach at St.Mary's Mission school. In 1949 he became the first Tanganyikan to study in Britain when he obtained a Masters of Arts in history and economics at the University of Edinburgh.
On his return to Tanganyika, he took a teaching position at St Francis College in Dar es Salaam, where in 1954 he developed the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU), which grouped together nationalist factions towards an agenda of independence and self-reliance for the country. Nyerere then entered the colonial legislative council in 1958 and in 1960 became its chief minister. In 1961, Tanganyika was granted self-governance and Nyerere was elected its Prime Minster. When Tanganyika received full independence in 1962, Nyerere was elected president, a post he held until his retirement in 1985.
During his political career, Nyerere grew to become one of the most respected and beloved African leaders through his message of peace, unity and liberation for the African people. He was instrumental in the creation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and acted as the keystone of several liberation movements across the continent as well as the union between Zanzibar and Tanganyika to form the United Republic of Tanzania. His work continued beyond his retirement, acting as the Chair of the Intergovernmental South Centre and in 1996 as the chief mediator in Burundi. He died on October 14, 1999, in London.
Contact Information
The East African Community (EAC) is the regional intergovernmental organisation of the Republics of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda. Its headquarters are located in Arusha,Tanzania. The EAC aims at widening and deepening cooperation among the partner states in political, economic and social fields for their mutual benefit.
East African Community
Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) Building
Kilimanjaro Wing, 5th Floor
P.O. Box 1096, Arusha,Tanzania
Tel: +255 27 2504253/8 Fax: +255 27 2504255
www.eac.int
eac@eachq.org
Nyerere Centre for Peace Research
Princess Margaret House
EAC Headquarters, Arusha,Tanzania
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2771, Arusha,Tanzania
E-mail: ncpr@arcadia.edu
