Mount Kenya University ( MKU) successfully hosted the second International Peace, Security and Social Enterprise conference which brought together more than five hundred delegates, some of them physically and others, virtually. The blended conference was held from 18th to 20th May 2022 at Mwai Kibaki Convention Centre at the varsity’s main campus in Thika. Its theme was: ‘The role of universities, public and private sectors in peace building for socio-economic development.’
The first day of the conference focused on academia and peace, the second day on the role of international partners and NGOs in supporting peace initiatives, while the third day was on the position of the public and private sectors in safeguarding peace.
The objectives of the conference were: to provide a platform to dialogue and address pertinent issues on peace, security and social enterprise for sustainable development; to present and share scholarly research findings on peace, security and social enterprise and finally, to showcase best practices in peace, security and social enterprise.
The organizers provided a three day platform for a healthy discourse among various stakeholders on peace, security and social enterprise in Kenya, more so in the run up to the 2022 general elections and the whole world at large.
MKU lined up several keynote addresses and panel discussions that sought to tackle the diverse aspects of peace. The presenters of these addresses and the panelists were vastly experienced leaders drawn from different organizations, both local and international. They included Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, the Chairman, National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) who delivered a keynote speech on ‘Peace Advocacy in an Electioneering Period.’ Additionally, Prof. Bitange Ndemo, Kenya’s Ambassador to Belgium shared his perspectives on: ‘Cybercrime and the Epidemic of Mobile Addiction.’ In the same regard, Daystar University Vice-Chancellor Dr Laban Ayiro delivered a keynote address on: ‘Integration of Citizenship, Patriotism and National Ethos in CBC for peace promotion and social economic development.’
By and large, the conference embraced diversity, equity and inclusion. “Borrowing a leaf from two key global players, namely the Ford Foundation and the International Labour Organization, diversity, equity, and inclusion must be a key point of focus within the organizational missions,” said Dr. Vincent Gaitho, Chairman, Conference Organizing Committee and Pro-Chancellor , MKU, in his speech.
