UGANDA 27th/2/2004 17:31
ARLPI : inter-religious cartel of north awared international peace prize

Peace/Justice, Brief


The ARLPI (Acholi Religious Peace Leaders Initiative), the inter-religious cartel that unites Catholics, Protestants and Muslims of North Uganda, won the 21st edition of the Niwano Peace Prize. The news was referred by the spokesman of the Award in Italy, Hiroshi Miyahira, explaining that the Ugandan organisation was chosen among around a thousand indications from 125 nations of the world and of every religion and culture. The ARLPI is presided by Monsignor John Baptist Odama, Catholic Archbishop of Gulu, main city of North Uganda, where the organisation is based. For some time the religious leaders have been engaged in a complex and difficult mediation aimed at ending the death and destruction perpetrated for over 17 years in the northern districts of the African nation by the rebels of the LRA (lord's Resistance Army). Over 400 volunteers are engaged in the ARLPI non-violence programme, in the promotion of peace and assisting the victims of the conflict. The award - accompanied by a monetary prize of 157.500 Euro - will be consigned in Tokyo on May 11. The initiative began in 1983: since then the Niwano Peace Foundation each year assigns the international award to honour and encourage single individuals and organisations that have contributed significantly to world peace through inter-religious dialogue. The Foundation also seeks the less known individuals and organisations to bring international attention to their activities. In the past the prestigious award was assigned also to the 'Neve Shalom/Wahat al Salam' Israeli community, to Brazilian Cardinal Arns, the Mexican Catholic Bishop Ruiz Garcia and the Sant'Egidio community.

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