Arcadia University signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Sept. 28 with the East African Community (EAC) and the American Graduate School (AGS) in Paris to relaunch the Nyerere Center for Peace Research (NCPR) in the United Republic of Tanzania. NCPR was originally co-founded by Arcadia and the EAC in 2006 following a grant approved by the University.

NCPR is a joint effort that promotes a peaceful and prosperous East Africa and provides an academic resource to member states of the EAC: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Republic of Tanzania, and the Republics of Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, and Burundi.

“I’ve established a home away from home here at Arcadia University, and I’ll be sure to visit every time I come to this area,” said Dr. Peter Mathuki, Secretary General of the EAC. “The phase for this project is making the center work for everyone, which is why we are here.”

In February, Dr. Warren Haffar, Professor of Historical and Political Studies and Director of the International Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) Program at Arcadia, and Allyson McCreery, Associate Director of IPCR Program, will travel to Arusha, Tanzania for the center’s official reopening.

“We define ourselves by global engagement and by getting out of our own bubble here in the greater Philadelphia area, the United States, and North America,” said Dr. Jeff Rutenbeck, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Arcadia, at the MOU signing. “This is a vital part of that.”