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Destination Peace Monthly Digest
Insights, reflections, and updates from our peace-building journey.
Welcome Section
Dear Valued Supporters and Friends of Destination Peace,
We are pleased to present our latest edition focused on Destination Peace’s transformative missions across West Africa. This month, our journey took us from the sobering historical sites of Ghana’s Cape Coast to the vibrant communities of Nigeria, weaving a narrative of reconciliation and hope across the region.
In Ghana, our delegation experienced the profound weight of history at the Elmina Castle dungeons. Standing in those dark chambers where countless enslaved Africans inhumanly suffered before the brutal Middle Passage, we confronted humanity’s capacity for cruelty and the enduring wounds of historical injustice. This pilgrimage was not merely educational but spiritually transformative, reinforcing our commitment to healing historical trauma as an essential component of contemporary peacebuilding.
Our Ghana mission was made extraordinarily meaningful through the generous assistance of our cherished friend Twyla Garrett, whose deep connections opened doors to unique experiences and high-level dialogues that would have otherwise remained inaccessible. Through Twyla’s introduction, we were honored to form what will be a lasting friendship with Chief Nana Obokeze, whose wisdom on traditional governance systems and their role in maintaining communal harmony provided invaluable insights for our peace building framework.
Our meticulously orchestrated itinerary in Nigeria stands as a testament to the unparalleled diplomatic and logistical acumen of our adopted son, Chukwuma Okenwa. With masterful precision and profound cultural intuition, Chukwuma crafted a tapestry of transformative encounters that transcended conventional diplomatic engagements. His visionary coordination manifested in a succession of soul stirring experiences that culminated in moments of breathtaking transcendence, where cultural boundaries dissolved and the essence of our shared humanity emerged with crystalline clarity.
Perhaps most memorable was our audience in the palace with Nigerian King Samuel Ikechukwu, whose leadership in preserving cultural heritage while embracing progressive reconciliation efforts exemplifies the balance we seek to achieve in our work. The King’s participation not only honored our mission but also demonstrated how traditional leadership can play a vital role in contemporary conflict resolution. These personal connections and cultural exchanges represent the heart of Destination Peace’s work, building genuine relationships that transcend institutional partnerships to create authentic pathways for understanding and reconciliation.
Your support will make future critical journeys possible as we continue to confront difficult truths and cultivate pathways to lasting peace.
With gratitude and determination,
Emanuel C. Perlman, Founder and CEO, Destination Peace
Welcome Note
Thank you for your continued support and interest in our journey towards a more peaceful world.
June & July 2025 Developments
The Elmina Experience: Confronting Historical Trauma
Our mission to West Africa began at Ghana’s Cape Coast, where Elmina Castle stands as a stark reminder of the transatlantic slave trade’s brutality. As our delegation moved through the dungeons where enslaved Africans were held in unimaginable conditions, the experience transcended historical tourism to become a profound reckoning with humanity’s darkest chapter.
“Step into Ghana’s dungeons in Elmina Castle,” wrote Emanuel Perlman, “and you undertake a vital pilgrimage to confront humanity’s darkest truths.” This confrontation with history is not merely academic but forms the foundation of Destination Peace’s approach to reconciliation work, acknowledging that genuine peace requires honest engagement with historical injustices.
The experience at Elmina provided crucial context for our subsequent work in Nigeria, demonstrating how historical wounds continue to shape contemporary conflicts and how reconciliation must address both past and present injustices.
Nigeria Peace Mission: A Groundbreaking Cross-Cultural Engagement
Carrying forward insights from Ghana, Destination Peace’s mission to Nigeria represented a significant milestone in our organization’s efforts to build bridges across diverse communities. The initiative brought together religious and traditional leaders from across Nigeria’s complex ethnic and religious landscape, creating unprecedented opportunities for dialogue and understanding.
According to Core News Nigeria, religious and traditional leaders called for unity and tolerance during key meetings in Enugu, underscoring the mission’s effectiveness in creating spaces for reconciliation. This regional summit attracted participation from community leaders who had previously remained separate, marking a historic breakthrough in inter-community relations.
Diplomatic Reception and Cultural Exchange
The mission began with what Emanuel Perlman described as “a humbling red-carpet welcome” that set the tone for cultural unity. Local dignitaries and community representatives gathered at the airport in a powerful demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to peace initiatives.
As DPI Founder Perlman noted on LinkedIn: “You added majesty and magic to our arrival at the airport. The drummers, dancers, and local dignitaries created an atmosphere of celebration and unity that embodied the spirit of our peace mission.”
Tourism as a Vehicle for Peace
A significant component of the mission focused on harnessing tourism’s potential as a peace-building mechanism in Southeastern Nigeria. The initiative, documented in multimedia presentations including a YouTube symposium titled “Harnessing Tourism Potentials in Southeast Nigeria: Culture, Economy & Destination Peace,” explored how cultural tourism can create economic opportunities while fostering cross-cultural understanding.
The strategy echoes successful models Destination Peace has implemented in other regions, where cultural heritage sites become locations for both economic development and peace education.
Building Institutional Partnerships
The Nigeria mission established critical institutional partnerships that will sustain peace efforts beyond the delegation’s visit. Chukwuma Ephraim Okenwa, our adopted son, reflected on hosting Emanuel Perlman, calling it “a profound honor to host my father and mentor,” signaling the deep relationships formed during the mission.
These partnerships extend to educational institutions, community organizations, and government agencies, creating a multi-sectoral approach to peacebuilding that addresses structural, cultural, and direct forms of conflict.
Personal Transformation Through Peace Work
Among the most powerful outcomes were the personal transformations experienced by participants. Amaeze Victory, a local peace advocate involved in the mission, shared: “I never knew this project would be a mind shift for me!” This sentiment was echoed by many participants who reported newfound perspectives on reconciliation and cross-cultural understanding.
These individual transformations represent the mission’s ripple effects, as participants become peace ambassadors within their own communities, extending the impact far beyond the formal events.
Peace Summit Outcomes
The centerpiece of the mission was a Peace Summit that brought together diverse stakeholders to address Nigeria’s complex challenges. At this summit, Emanuel Perlman emphasized that “What destroys peace is resentment due to the crime of ignorance,” a statement widely reported in Nigeria’s national press.
The summit produced tangible commitments from community leaders, educational institutions, and local governments to implement peace education programs, cultural exchange initiatives, and economic development projects designed to address root causes of conflict.
Comparative Context and Future Directions
Following Destination Peace’s work in Ghana, the Nigeria peace mission continued the organization’s efforts in West Africa. In Ghana, the initiatives centered on historical reconciliation, with a particular emphasis on significant locations such as Elmina Castle. Emanuel Perlman characterized visits to such sites as “a vital pilgrimage to confront humanity’s darkest truths,” highlighting their importance in the reconciliation process.
This West African peace strategy demonstrates Destination Peace’s nuanced understanding of regional dynamics and the importance of addressing historical trauma as part of contemporary peacebuilding.
The success of the Nigeria mission sets the stage for planned 2025 engagements in Austria, Macedonia, Hungary, China, and Hong Kong, each designed to expand Destination Peace’s international network while adapting peace-building strategies to local contexts.
Highlights of Nigerian Visit
Destination Peace is pleased to share key highlights from the recent visit to Nigeria, underscoring the spirit of collaboration and mutual understanding fostered during the engagements:
- Participation in the Leadership and Career Summit at the Institute of Management of Science and Technology, including a guided visit to the IMT Art Gallery, and a heartfelt one-on-one dialogue with the Rector on matters of mutual interest.
- A visit to Queens Model Schools, where Destination Peace’s founder had the privilege of delivering a speech to the esteemed staff and students and with his wife presenting certificates during the graduation ceremony for Nursery and Primary Pupils, celebrating their remarkable achievements.
- Meaningful interactions with distinguished Religious Leaders, Traditional Rulers, Lay Leaders, and Civic Leaders at the Peace Builders Summit, fostering dialogue on shared values and peacebuilding initiatives. This was complemented by a press briefing with TVC News and a featured program on AFIA TV to further amplify these important discussions.
- The recording of a podcast titled “PEACEFUL Homes,” offering reflections and insights drawn from the 49 years of blessed marriage between Emanuel and Janice Perlman, as a contribution to family and societal cohesion.
Destination Peace extends its profound gratitude to Chukwuma Okenwa, the Queens Model School, elite members of the Special Forces, all partners and hosts for their warm hospitality and looks forward to continued collaboration in the spirit of friendship and mutual respect.
Quote from Manny
“Culture isn’t taught; it’s tasted, heard, and felt firsthand.”
Emanuel C Pelman, Founder & CEO, Destination Peace.
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Upcoming Events
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