The overall objectives of this programme are to “promote tolerance and peaceful co-existence among all Somali communities” and to “establish and operationalize a policy and institutional framework for Peace Building and Early Warning Mechanisms on social conflict”.

To achieve these objectives, we at SOMPAD undertake the following core projects and activities:

• Country-wide Peace building Civic & Stakeholder Dialogues / Fora: Expanding on a pilot framework already in place in selected locations, this process of civic and stakeholder dialogues and fora at national, State, district and local level is envisaged to take place at least once a year across the country. Such dialogue will be open in nature, aimed at community interaction on social and other issues, while at the same time allowing communities and stakeholders to make their views known to all Stakeholders on matters of interest concerning peace and conflict resolution.
• Establishment of Peace Committee Framework: National, State and District Peace Committees will enable us to cover a wide area and on real time events. Under this initiative, the framework will be extended to the entire country, and linked to District Security Committees. It is envisaged that the committees will help create awareness to the locality and will be held every year.
• Annual Sociocultural Events: It is envisaged that 2 annual cultural events will be held every year covering at least every districts around the country. Working on a rotational basis, these events will include music concerts, sporting contests, multi-cultural exhibitions and peace modeling. This initiative acts as an important cornerstone of the process of building national cohesion in a multi-cultural context. Public-Private Partnership (PPP) modalities are also pursued to ensure that these events are successfully carried out.
• Multi-Media Peace Messages: As an ongoing programme, resources are devoted towards the timed and regular transmission of peace messages through the electronic, print and broadcast media. Varying creative approaches are used to ensure that these messages retain their impact and effect over the period.
• Policy Framework: The peace building and conflict management processes has been institutionalized through a policy and legal framework that establishes a National Peace Building Commission (NPBC). The core functions of this Commission revolve around leadership, governance, management and coordination of all projects, measures and actions falling within the Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Programme.
• Capacity Development: Capacity development is necessary not simply for officers of the NPBC, but also for Administrative Officers, Local authorities, Religious leaders, States and District Security Committees and District Peace Committees. The current peace building curriculum (including records of practical activities undertaken) has been consolidated and converted into a formal curriculum, including teaching, Training of Trainers and actual training manuals. This will form the basis for continuous capacity building.
• M&E System: With a policy, legal and institutional framework in place, and a capacity development package available, the third element of management improvement involve the development of a comprehensive M&E system for Peace building initiative to be evaluated based on every activity undertaken by SOMPAD.