OUAGADOUGOU – The Association for Religious Tolerance and Intercommunity Dialogue (ATR/DI) conducted a training session on Saturday, January 20, 2024, aimed at bolstering conflict prevention, management, and resolution strategies among its members, in response to the current security situation in Burkina Faso.
According to Burkina Information Agency, president of the ATR/DI, the training focused on imparting a clear understanding of religious tolerance, intercommunity dialogue, radicalization, and violent extremism. Sourwema emphasized the importance of such training for the association’s members, stating that it is crucial for them to grasp these concepts to advocate effectively for religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence in their local communities.
Sourwema affirmed that the training would equip the national office members, cell presidents, and focal points with the necessary skills for effective communication and awareness-raising activities across the country. This initiative is seen as a step towards restoring peace and tranquility in Burkina Faso.
The training was followed by an ordinary meeting of the national executive office of the ATR/DI on Sunday, January 21, 2024, which included the six cells and focal points of the Association. Secretary General Drissa Modeste Séssouma highlighted the meeting’s agenda, which involved sharing the ATR/DI’s vision, strategic plan, and annual work plan with its cells and focal points. This initiative aimed at enabling regional-level adaptation and suggestion of activities for the national office’s future endeavors.
Séssouma also noted the active participation of various cells in grassroots activities and encouraged focal points to work towards establishing more cells in their regions. For 2024, the ATR/DI, through Séssouma’s statement, plans to continue promoting religious freedom, tolerance, and dialogue, which are deemed crucial in these challenging times.
Séssouma concluded by expressing the intention to expand the association’s activities to new areas to enhance awareness of religious tolerance and intercommunity dialogue. In the current difficult security context, the ATR/DI aims to contribute to the peace and tranquility efforts in Burkina Faso. As part of this endeavor, the ATR/DI is involved in the legislative process under the Ministry of Territorial Administration, Decentralization, and Security for adopting a law establishing the status of traditional and customary chiefdoms in Burkina Faso.