This edition highlights the challenges of integration, the free movement of people and goods and those of peace in the ECOWAS region. The papers are accompanied by suggestions of a model of life where the « ECOWAS of the leaders » could be replaced by the « ECOWAS of the peoples ». In short, it was a question of showing that the peace of peoples determines the peace of leaders.
The third edition of the international symposium « Literature and Peace » under the theme « Integration, the free movement of people and goods, and the contemporary challenges of sustainable peace in the ECOIS area » was held on November 14, 15 and 16, 2022, at the UL. This scientific meeting is organized by the Laboratory of Research in Languages, Anglophone Literature Culture, and civilization known as LaReLLiCCA of the Faculty of Languages and Arts (FLLA) of the Université de Lomé.
The challenges of integration go beyond territoriality. It is not a question of being satisfied with colonial borders, but of understanding the fundamental principles of each state in relation to another state and of wanting to create a synergy which, while respecting the territories, collaborates in crisis situations as well as in situations of peace for a shared interest. The problem of integration is not synonymous with fusion but with tolerance of cohabitation, collaboration and the pooling of the factors of living together, development and enjoyment of the interests resulting from this social contract. The symposium « Integration, the free movement of people and goods, and the contemporary challenges of sustainable peace in the ECOWAS region » promotes a plural reflection and a sharing of experiences, which can give rise to new models of design and exchange of the content of peace, security and cooperation programmes, without forgetting the possibility of the creation of individual States and inter-States when the challenges arise. Change.
Started on November 14, 2022, this symposium took place around the edifying theme entitled « Integration, the free movement of people and goods and the contemporary challenges of sustainable peace in the ECOWAS region ». During this meeting, the actors took turns addressing the concept of peace and the reasons that can cause this peace to be lost, such as injustice, frustration, and lack of employment.
For Professor PEWISSI Ataféï, director of LaReLLICCA, the round table consisted of summarizing what the teacher-researchers communicated in the workshops but also what the delegates of the different ministries communicated at the level of institutional communications. « We have planned in such a way that institutions communicate so that teacher-researchers listen and take note of their mission of teaching, research and service to society »
LaReLLiCCA also appreciated the presence of representatives of the police forces. «… It must be said that the military and the civilian population are all citizens and that they have a common mission, that of watching over and ensuring that there is peace. So it is this cohabitation that we have been looking for this year, » said the latter.
It must be said that several recommendations were made on several themes, namely transhumance, pastoralism, integration, radicalism and violent extremism, which are the major challenges of the moment.
