Walls of Greatness image during CHOGM

By Brenda Zulu
Two walls of greatness have been built during the Interaction Leadership Programme at the ongoing Commonwealth People Forum (CPF) as participants created a visual image of the future they desired and also
brought out a paradigm shift through identifying and celebrating what different countries contribute to today’s world.

Common themes that built the walls of greatness on the visual image for the future people desired included the equality of women and men, a world of peace, a sustainable environment, elimination of extreme poverty, society sustainability, shared resources, elite or learned society, society with a well balanced eco-system, better livelihoods, a non violent society and good governance.

It was however noticeable on the walls of greatness that Uganda the host of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) had contributed to the World today in the area of HIV/AIDS awareness, hosting of refugees, affirmative action, fight against global warming, offering of better livelihoods, equal access to opportunities and that it had governance that was responsive.

It was nice to see Ethiopia on the walls of greatness as it is not a member of the Commonwealth whose contribution has been the hosting of the African Union and the resisting of colonialism. The walls of greatness also showed the possibility to get independence peacefully which was a contribution from Mauritius. Contributions from western countries include Technology innovation and education diversity coming from Germany while we see Canada granting asylum to refugees and providing them with a safe place to rebuild their lives and realize their potential.

The Pan African movement contribution towards peace building in communities that are at war was also recognised by the wall of greatness.

Meanwhile in the visual image of the future people want to see a highly educated people in information communication technology (ICT) filed who are literate, a world free from hunger, households with good health and an increased income, a world free of HIV/AIDS, a free brick for the one who had no chance to build, a political stable country with no civil wars and a world with an intact nature and a living space of all people.

The walls of greatness continue to seek for a United Africa, a community that embraces humanity irrespective of race status or origin, zero smoking for all, information and millennium model villages for societal transformation and a community that embraces humanity irrespective of race status or origin.

They also talk about the need to have peace with an emphasis on the society with a humanity which is peaceful, no wars and no boundaries.

Gender comes out strongly in the area of politics where the dream is to offer equal opportunities for all and for the 50 Percent of women to be female Presidents.

On environment the walls of greatness hopes the future is to have biodiversity conservation and sustainable development with appropriate technological transfer in a global village.

Orphaned children have not been left out as they are hoped to be cared for in a caring family environment and a society where the rule of law is where up held by leaders and followers.

The area of health hopes to have an enlightened health and productive society.

It was however clear that in all the Wall of Greatness was rein-enforcing the current Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which are targets to met by all developing countries.

Issues on poverty, gender, education, health, environment and social issues are quite critical and it is hoped that these issues will be addressed by the governments meeting in Uganda.