Established to build collaborative partnerships to promote peaceful and secure communities in Africa, the Goree Institute has stood the test of time.
For decades it has become a haven for ordinary Africans and Distinguished personalities such as Former US President, Barack Obama to brainstorm on African Solutions to African problems.
The Goree Institute is located on an Island in Dakar Senegal, from where Rebecca Ekpe filed this report.
Visitors to the Goree Institute remain grateful to Senegalese Former President Abdul Diouf and Past Secretary-General of the Organization of the African Unity, OAU, Salim Ahmed Salim who presided over a ceremony to open the building some 27 years ago.
With a vision as a Center for Democracy Development and Culture in Africa, the Goree Institute has played its role in congregating over time groups of Africans committed to the ideals of progress, justice, and freedom, cooperation and self-sufficiency.
The serene, airy and natural environment where the facility is located tells a story that visitors to the place cannot stop talking about.
Apart from the opportunity to brainstorm, Goree Institute also provides you a place for re-orientation and rejuvenation. ”Indeed relaxing, but am relieved”, said one visitor when asked of his impressions about the place. He wanted to be anonymous.
Another visitor said ”it is a place to take care of stress in an attempt to solve society’s many problems”. She also does not want to be identified.
A Senegalese, Mame Diarra Bousso Kane said the people are also showing casing the culture through food and clothing.
”At the restaurant, the Chef put on Senegalese cloth and give you Senegalese food, I think that is a good thing”. she said. ” I love this Institute, they are doing a good job!” Mame Diarra concluded.
Executive Director, Doudou DIA in a report stated that going forward Goree Institute would be guided by ”partnerships, networks and alliances that would continue to work towards a peaceful, just and prosperous Africa”.
He added that in the pursuit of its mission, ”the institute creates a space to hear the views of the leaders and actors of African civil society organizations, political leaders, conflict stakeholders, researchers, journalists and policymakers, whose perspectives and solutions are essential to the ideals of progress, peace and social justice”.
Mr. Doudou DIA stated that ”as a pan-Africa civil society organization, the Goree Institute remains a responsive learning organization committed to continuous improvement in the quality of its programmes, processes and organizational capacities. ”
To this end, it is important that ”we succeed in reinventing ourselves in order to improve our performance to broaden and deepen our influence in a geopolitical context marked by profound social, institutional and political transformations.” stated the Goree Institute Director, Doudou DIA.
Story filed by: Rebecca Ekpe, Dakar Senegal.
