GPC-3: Peacebuilding and Music
The objective of the “Peacebuilding and Music” Session is to promote peace, through music. The session will feature peace-focused and inspiring music performances by presenters.
Featuring:
Ukpeme Akpan Okon (UkpEmem) loves music, and believes in the power of music. Among other things, she is an Ambassador for Peace, Charismatic Speaker, Creative Author of award-winning The Values String: A book on Transitional Life, Compelling Fulfillment, and Profound Peace. Ukpeme discovered her passion for music as a child. She recalls writing songs as a teenager, which she self-tuned. Music is a very strong medium for connecting people. It is one of the ways she seeks to entertain, spread worthy messages, and foster a better world. She is the Convener of The Peace Agenda, a platform for strategizing sustainable agenda and action for peace, as well as the organizer of The Peace Agenda Summit. Ukpeme is a member of Women, Peace and Security Network, as well as other peace-focused organizations. She is the National Director — Administration of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) U.S.A. Chapter. She is also the Vice President of the Maryland Chapter of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Americas (NIDOA), U.S.A. Chapter as well as the Public Relations Director of the Board of Trustees of NIDOA. A trailblazer, Ukpeme has held other leadership positions. Ukpeme is the Director of Legal Research Analysis at African Views Organization.
Cheryl Melody Baskin is the recipient of the Gold Award of Excellence, presented by the Nonfiction Authors Association, for her motivational self-help book, "Peace Dreamer: A Journey of Hope in Bad Times and Good" and a Silver Award of Excellence, presented by Readers Favorite, for her book, "Heart-Dreamer: Stepping into Life, Love, Creativity and Dreams No Matter What." Her other books include, "Shift of Heart: Paths to Healing and Love" and "Peace Begins with You and Me" (a musical play about peace for children and teachers). In addition to her life as an author, she is an award-winning musician with nine albums of peace for both adults and children under the name, Cheryl Melody. She is also the intuitive life coach and founder of an inclusive Facebook community, "Shift of Heart," as well as a motivational speaker, educator, sound healer, and visionary of peace. She received a Life Achievement Award from the Visioneers International Network based in Vancouver, Canada, and one of her original songs, "One Planet," was chosen as the theme song for a live and virtual global peace event called, “Waging Peace.” Melody, as she prefers to be called, enjoys a balance of quiet contemplation, meaningful social interaction, dreaming new dreams, and the healing power of nature. She is also a strong believer in peace, diversity celebration, listening to life's wisdom whispers, trusting in the magical mystery of the unknown, healing from inside-out, and walking the path of love. Her website is https://www.cherylmelody.com.
Clementina Okolo has a BSc in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, a Diploma in French Language, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management. A Chartered Mediator and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC). An author, a registered Nigerian teacher, a child development expert, and a counsellor. She is the president of the Mediation, Peace, and Vocational Training Initiative and the principal consultant of Mediation and Peace Consult Ltd. She is a member of the Association of Professional Mediators and Conciliators, a Member, Working Group for Women, Youths, Peace and Security in West Africa and the Sahel (WGWYPS-WAS) (UNOWAS). Member, Management and Leadership Training Institute, Calgary, Canada. Ambassador Clementina Okolo is a music artist who uses music to raise awareness of peace.
Igor Anicic is a Croatian based pop/rock artist best known for his multilingual expression in 6 different languages. With a lot of positivity, singable hooks and catchy melodies, his music draws influence from various artist like Ed Sheeran, Sting, Bob Marley and Maná. Fluent in his native Croatian, as well as English, Spanish, Portuguese, German and Italian, strives to reach audiences from all parts of the globe. The variety of genres, from Pop/Rock, Latin, Reggae, fits nicely with the spirit of each language and with different cultures. His first musical works were created in his early days, but the noticeable period of his musical work began in March of 2020, at the beginning of the Coronavirus global crisis. He decided to spread a lot of positive energy and to send the Message of Togetherness throughout the world. He wrote the "Songs for the World", created his hashtag #keeptheworldpositive and started his mission. Igor Anicic’s work with major Croatian rewarded touring musicians, intertwined with the authenticity of musicianship and lyricism, creates a musical project “Songs for the World” that shows a genuine desire to inspire peace and to spread a lot of positive energy during these strange times. The collaboration and the work has been acknowledged and supported internationally by fans, magazines, national TV in Croatia and many portals worldwide. In a world of discontentment, Igor Anicic is a role model for spreading positive vibes and for showing support to all the people, as well in his private life as through his memorable musical and lyrical expression. His vision strives to give his fans faith and hope in a better future, simultaneously trying to give a lead for the mankind through his message of unity in the world. As Igor was always a positive person and an athlete, he doesn't let the surroundings influence his positive mindset and the willingness to create a better society.
David LaMotte is a Rotary Peace Fellow, songwriter, speaker and author. He has performed over 3000 concerts and released thirteen full-length CDs of primarily original music, performing in all of the fifty US states, as well as five of the seven continents. The Boston Globe writes that his music “pushes the envelope with challenging lyrics and unusual tunings, but he also pays homage to folk tradition,” while BBC Radio Belfast lauds his “charm, stories, humour, insightful songs, sweet voice and dazzling guitar ability.” His most recent album, Still, features the number one song on Folk Radio in September, 2022 (September Me), and the the album remained in the top twenty for six months. His dense speaking and workshop calendar has included presenting at the PC(USA) Mission to the United Nations, keynoting peace conferences in India, Australia, Germany and at the Scottish Parliament, as well as offering the baccalaureate for 2016 graduates of Columbia Seminary. His TED talk on what music can teach us about peacemaking is featured on TED.org. LaMotte’s third book, You Are Changing the World Whether You Like It Or Not, will be published by Chalice Press in the summer of 2023. For more on David and his work, visit davidlamotte.com.
Simon, better known as Don Ricardo, is a multi-faceted artist, known for his unique songwriting and vocal arrangement. Simon was born in London and raised in Westmoreland, Jamaica. He was recognised as a talented singer in high school and performed at school concerts and talent shows. Don joined forces with classmate Dean Stevens, former lead singer for the Reggae band Chalice. Performing as the Dynamic Duo, they built up a sizeable following. Simon returned to London where he met Patrick Donegan, owner of Progressive Sound Studio (who helped him to create his pseudonym Don Ricardo). Patrick was so impressed with Simon's voice that he insisted on recording him. The result was that both Don Ricardo and the label, Progressive Sound, celebrated their debut release; a rendition of Stevie Wonder’s, Ribbon In The Sky. Simon has worked with the likes of Tenor Fly, Frankie Paul, Leroy Smart, Sugar Minott, Daddy Freddie, Lloyd Brown (backing vocalist and mixing engineer for his chart topping Sharing The Night), Junior Reid, to name a few. Simon made his first number one record as Don Ricardo in 1996 with She's Having My Baby, an ode to the mother of his first child. It stayed at the top of the Reggae chart for seven weeks and was cited as the Best British Single at the 1998 People's Annual Reggae Award. He was then introduced to the Ruff Cutt Band and their studio, where he recorded 1st To Know, which topped the chart for Christmas and New Year of 1998/99. Don’s collaboration with Beres Hammond resulted in the recording and release of Love Is The Staff Of Life, which appears on Don's debut album Introducing…The release of Simon’s debut album was well-received and allowed him to perform in various countries. Simon has shared the stage with Bob Andy, Freddie McGregor, Morgan Heritage, Sugar Minott, Edi Fitzroy, Big Youth, Sister Audrey, Luciano, Sylvia Tella, The Mighty Diamonds, Don Campbell, Peter Hunnigale, Desmond Dekker, Julian Marley, John Holt... Simon’s song, On The Menu, featured at the 20th Anniversary of Jazz For Peace United Nations Concert, which was held in Nigeria.
2023 GLOBAL PEACE CONFERENCE (GPC-3): Over 24 hours of peace talks, skills-based workshops and networking
Do you care deeply about your community and looking for ideas to bring about positive change?
Join us on 4 March 2023 for the third 24-hour online Global Peace Conference: an exciting, interactive convergence of thought-provokers, peacebuilders and everyday people building peace in their spheres of influence.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL AGENDA
The theme of this year’s conference is “Strengthening Our Peacebuilding Community”. This theme is an extension of our desire to connect our planet with people power, towards a peaceful and just existence for all. This year’s 24-hour conference has programming in four global geographical regions, with plenaries and skill-building sessions, covering all time zones across the globe and enabling anyone, anywhere, to participate.
This volunteer-led initiative of Rotary Peace Fellows and other members of the broader Rotary peace ecosystem is based on the premise that everyone has the power to change the world. We work in civil society, academia, and government. We work in conflict resolution, sustainable development, and business. We are change makers in our community wherever we are based across the globe, and have a passion to transform conflict into growth and potential.
This 24-hour Global Peace Conference is not a typical academic conference or business networking opportunity. Our value is in dialogue and in collaboration, so everyone—YOU included—has a part to play in making our conference meaningful.
The event will feature:
Local peacebuilders from all over the world
Interactive sessions at all time zones
Ample opportunity for training and networking
Join us by registering above! The conference is free of charge thanks to the generosity of volunteers and donors from the Rotary peace community, including Carol Fellows and Tim Bewley.
If you would like to make a donation to help keep future conferences free and inclusive, please click here. Thank you for your support!
WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS AFTER THE CONFERENCE?
During the inclusive, open planning meetings to prepare for the conference, it was decided to develop a conference declaration setting out positive peace as a unifying concept to unite Rotary Peace Fellows, other peacebuilders, and the Rotary family. The goal is also to articulate a vision for the conference as a vehicle to strengthen the Rotary peace ecosystem and to build relationships with and elevate grassroots peaceubilders. Please provide feedback on the draft conference declaration:
COMMENT ON THE DRAFT HERE
Thank you for your constructive input!