conflict prevention project narrative report - accra, ghana (june 2008)
TRANSCRIPT
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Workshop Report
Regional Harmonisation Workshop for
WACSI/KAIPTC/GTZ Project to Develop Conflict
Prevention Modules for Civilian Actors in West Africa
2nd to 4th June 2008, Accra, Ghana
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Contents
1.0 Introduction 3
1.1 Objectives 3
1.2 Expected Outcomes 3
2.0 Module Presentations and Recommendations 5
2.1 Election Observation 5
2.2 Youth and Development 8
2.3 Women, Peace and Human Security 10
2.4 Children and Armed Conflicts 12
2.5 Democratic Governance 14
2.6 Human Rights and Alternative Dispute Resolution 15
2.7 Post Conflict Reconstruction 16
2.8 Early Warning and Early Response 18
3.0 General Recommendations 19
3.1 Miscellaneous Recommendations 19
3.2 Module Development Recommendations 20
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1.0 Introduction
The West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ)
in collaboration with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre (KAIPTC) organised a
three day workshop to harmonise the various conflict prevention modules developed by resource
institutions. The meeting which was held at the KAIPTC, Accra from the 2nd
to the 4th
of May
provided a unique opportunity for resource organisations to constructively critique the modules
developed and provide recommendations. The goal of the workshop was to harmonise conflict
prevention modules developed by resource organisations as part of the WACSI/GTZ/KAIPTC
Project.
1.1 Objectives
The specific objectives of the harmonisation were to:
Peer review modules prepared by participating organisation
Provide additional input and insights
Reach consensus on structure, flow and methodology of the resource pack
Develop Monitoring and Evaluation guidelines for the Resource pack
Agree on timelines for revision of modules
Identify organisations to participate in the Trainer of Trainers (TOT)
1.2 Expected Outcomes
By the end of the meeting, it was expected that deliberations will lead to:
The establishment of a uniform module structure highlighting an agreed conceptual
component, appropriate placing of the sessions and technical specifications.
Agreed completion timelines and modalities for choosing institutions that would participate
in the Trainer of Trainers Workshop in October.
The methodology of the meeting encompassed power point presentations, brainstorming sessions
and discussions. The meeting commenced with representatives from GTZ and KAIPTC
delivering brief opening remarks. Commandant General Attipoe delivered the remarks on behalf
of KAIPTC. Dr. Kwesi Aning, the Head of Conflict Prevention Management and Resolution
Department (CPMRD) of the KAIPTC also highlighted on the issue of domestic and exogenous
sources of conflict. He reiterated that the conceptual framework of the resource pack should take
into consideration external sources of conflict. He emphasised that the nexus between research
and policy development should be identifiable in the resource pack.
Dr Thomas Jaye, the Deputy Head of the CPRMD of the KAIPTC delivered a presentation on
Security Sector Reform. He explained that Security Sector Reform (SSR) processes were
complex and diverse. He emphasised that the implementation of the reform agenda required
diplomacy and tactfulness and that it is a political process that involves diverse actors’ which
have different agendas. He then, highlighted on the context-driven nature of SSR. He went on
further to expatiate on the upsurge of private security companies in the sub region who are
providing critical services for example training and restructuring the army in Liberia.
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He reiterated that authority, attitude and ability should be factored into the training module. This
encompassed legal and constitutional parameters, political will and the knowledge of security
issues, expertise and available resources. He then discussed various components of SSR in
including reform, police reform, intelligence reform, judiciary reform, prison reform, the right-
sizing of security structures and democratic accountability. Lastly, he highlighted on the various
challenges with SSR which encompass:
The lack of political will.
Inadequate expertise and resources.
The need to realise that SSR is a process and not an event.
Security sector reform is still a taboo subject in the sub region.
The lack of community ownership in reform processes.
Mr. Nii Addy spoke on behalf of GTZ. He explained that the workshop offers a unique
opportunity to add real value to the development of a joint training tool, by bringing together
experts from this training centre, which is usually preoccupied with issues of “operational
prevention”, such as peacekeeping, and a broad range of carefully chosen civil society
organisations that are generally focusing more on addressing root causes linked to “structural
prevention” or early warning, development, the rule of law, or human rights.
In addition, he stated that effective conflict prevention requires a combination of the two
approaches together with the full commitment and participation of a variety of actors at local,
national, regional and international levels. He concluded by reiterating that it is through such
collaborative efforts and dialogue that development actors can hope to develop effective
strategies for greater structural stability, good governance and enhanced human security.
The representatives from KAIPTC and GTZ applauded the project for its integrative and broad-
based approach. In addition, they encouraged the resource organisations to make sure that the
resource pack is generic and adaptable to all conflict prevention situations in West Africa and
beyond. The resource organisations then proceeded to present their modules.
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2.0 Module Presentations and Recommendations
2.1 Election Observation
West African Society Forum (WACSOF) is an institutionalised platform of CSOs and networks
across West Africa working on issues related to human rights, peace and security, democracy
and good governance, education, trade and commerce, health, and gender equality amongst
others. It was established in 2003 by Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD),
International Alert (IA) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The
forum provides civil society in the sub region an official corridor of dialogue and engagement
with both national authorities in West Africa and ECOWAS. The overall objective of the forum
is to promote and improve human security, peace, unity and stability in the West African sub
region.
The forum’s specific objectives are to
Pursue and promote continuous dialogue and engagement between CSOs in West Africa,
ECOWAS and national authorities on vital issues that affect the citizenry.
Support the process of political and socio-economic development and integration of the sub
region.
In order to effectively pursue the promotion of democracy and good governance in member
states, WACSOF has so far successfully observed the conduct of the following elections: Ghana
Presidential and Parliamentary elections, December 2004, Togo Presidential elections, April
2005, Guinea Bissau Presidential elections (June and July 2005), Liberia General elections
(October and November 2005), Burkina Faso Presidential elections, November 2005, Cape
Verde Parliamentary and Presidential elections (January and February 2006), the Benin
Presidential elections, March 2006, The Nigerian Bye-elections in Ekiti State in April 2006 and
The Gambian Presidential elections in September 2006. In 2007, elections were observed in
Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Togo.
Election observation is defined as the purposeful gathering of information regarding an electoral
process, and making informed judgments on the conduct of such a process on the basis of the
information collected, by persons who are not inherently authorised to intervene in the process,
and whose involvement in mediation or technical assistance activities should not be such as to
jeopardise their main observation responsibilities (IDEA, 1997).
The overall objectives of the module is to develop participants’ capacity in election observation
by
Providing participants with a conceptual framework of election observation.
Raising awareness of participants on key concepts related to elections and election
observation
Examining the importance of election observation as a conflict prevention mechanism
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Highlighting case studies on the use of election observation as a conflict prevention
mechanism highlighting the roles of ECOWAS and CSOs in Election Observation.
Providing participants with practical skills on how to observe elections effectively.
The target audience of the module is regional civilian actors. The content of module
encompasses:
1. Conceptual framework of Elections and Election Observation
2. Mandate for Election Observation in West Africa
3. Electoral processes in Africa
4. Guidelines for Election Observation
5. Principles of Election Observation
6. Approaches to Election Observation
The Conceptual framework will highlight on the definition and importance of elections. In
addition, the definition and importance of election observation and terminologies like
observation-mediation, technical assistance, supervision and monitoring will be expatiated on.
The objectives of observation will also be clearly stated.
The session on the mandate of the observation will highlight on the following protocols and
conventions:
ECOWAS Protocol Universal Declaration of Human Rights(1948)
Int. Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1960)
Harare Commonwealth Declaration(1991)
The Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and
Security(1999)
ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Governance(2001)
ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework(2008)
The third session which highlights electoral processes will include:
The definition and importance of Election Management Bodies
The different types of Electoral Management Models (Independent, Governmental, Mixed)
The definition, types and importance of Electoral Systems
The next session will expatiate on the guidelines to observation. This session will encompass:
What to observe
Legal framework
General electoral environment
Degree of political competitiveness
Integrity of electoral preparations
Integrity of conduct of poll
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How to observe
Use of checklist
Samples of Checklist from ECOWAS, WACSOF etc
Session five will highlight on the principles of election observation. The summary of ethical
principles, respect and recognition of sovereignty, neutrality and non-partisanship, transparency,
accuracy and the ECOWAS Code of Conduct for Observers will be expatiated on
comprehensively.
Various approaches to election observation will be discussed in session six. The ECOWAS
Approach will include an exploratory Mission, observer mission and challenges. The WACSOF
Approach will highlight the pre-assessment Mission, observer mission and challenges. Issues
pertaining to the procedure for observation will also be documented. These issues are:
Advance Team
Familiarisation meeting
Arrival meeting
Consultations
Deployment
Election day observation
Preliminary statement
Final report
A section will also be dedicated to clearly explaining various forms of election language.
Language like free, fair, transparent, credible, irregularity and rigging will be clearly defined.
The methodologies that will be utilised for the training will include:
Mini lectures
Group work
Plenary sessions
Discussions
Brainstorming
Case studies
The expected outcomes of the election observation module are:
Awareness of participants on key concepts related to election observation raised.
Appreciation of election observation as a conflict prevention mechanism increased.
Election observation skills of participants enhanced.
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In conclusion, the module will highlight that election observation is an onerous responsibility. It
is not faultfinding but a fact-finding activity. The module will also explain why its tool for
conflict prevention by encouraging the observer to fully display openness, professionalism and
non-partisanship. The primary beneficiaries of the election observation process will be stated in
clearly and specifically.
Recommendations and Suggestions (Election Observation)
The module should highlight how election observation processes can be used to quell anxiety
and fear among the citizenry.
A clear and distinct link between the citizenry and the election observation process should be
seen in the module.
The module should clearly state that election observation should start from party primaries.
The need for networking and coalition-building among CSOs for election observation should
be documented in the module.
There is also the need to highlight the election cycle in the module.
The module should capture both the good and bad experiences of election observation in the
sub region.
2.2 Youth and Development
Abusua Foundation exists to create opportunities for young people to learn, share and develop
skills necessary for personal and communal wealth. The foundation seeks three key outcomes:
Creation of Opportunities – creating situations where youth can identify and use the natural
gifts they have.
Building Capabilities and Capacities – developing inherent skills through continuous
learning and personal and communal growth.
Giving second chances – giving youth the opportunity to learn from mistakes.
The objectives of the module are to develop participants’ capacity in understanding the current
dynamics of youth-adult engagement by:
Introducing to the concept of youth
Show participants entry points to participating in development
Managing networks and using them as assets than “contacts”
Leading participants identify priorities and develop best practices
The target audience includes youth, youth workers, local government staff and adults working
with youth. The methodologies for training will encompass group work, role plays and mini-
lectures.
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The content of module encompasses:
Session 1: Developing and Maintaining Linkages
The Networking Matrix
Key issues to look out for when developing linkages
Session 2: Youth in Cross Border Conflicts
Misconceptions and Facts about Youth
Session 3: Identifying Youth Priorities and Best Practices
The Problem Tree
Best Practices for Youth Development
Session one will highlight on the youth entry points in the development process. This session
will document participation and inclusion, positive adult-youth engagement, the framework for
engagement, power relations amongst others.
The next session will focus on youth in cross border conflicts. This session will expatiate on the
role youth have played in cross border conflicts, youth motivational factors, the positive
contributions to peace-building and common stereotypes or misconceptions amongst others.
Identifying youth priorities and best practices are highlighted in session three. This session will
document best practice issues including:
Youth development is shaped by the ‘big picture’
Youth development is about young people being connected
Youth development is based on consistent strengths-based approach
Youth development happens through quality relationships
Youth development is triggered when young people fully participate
Youth development needs good information
Recommendations and Suggestions (Youth and Development)
It was recommended that the module should highlight more examples from the sub region in
terms of case studies and experiences. For example national service schemes, youth policies
and other youth initiatives.
The module should also document the disconnect that exists between what potential
employers look for in terms of skills and what the youth are taught in schools.
The module should also clearly define the concept of youth.
Positive and negative attitudinal and behavioral issues that are prominent among youth in
the sub region should also be highlighted on.
The module should identify what the youth really want.
The session on youth in cross border conflicts should be changed to youth in conflicts.
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The module should ingrain youth involvement in community discussions and decision-making
throughout the content of the module.
It was recommended that the module should delineate the life experiences of male and female
youth.
The “escape mentality” that is, the penchant for the youth to travel overseas to seek better
livelihoods should be highlighted.
The impact of national youth policies in the sub region should be documented in the module.
The module should begin with the role of youth in conflict prevention
The module should also contain the profile of youth organisations in the sub region that are
preventing and promoting conflict (good and bad practices should be highlighted).
2.3 Women, Peace and Human Security
Women, Peace and Security Network (WIPSEN) are a Pan-African peace and Security
organisation that seeks to promote women’s strategic participation and leadership in peace and
security governance in Africa. WIPSEN does this by enhancing women’s leadership capacities
and promoting constructive, innovative and collaborative approaches to non-violent
transformation of conflicts, peacebuilding, and human security in Africa.
The overall goal of WIPSEN is to empower women to play more active role in peace and
security processes by providing training and capacity building initiatives for women and linking
policy and practice by creating avenues for women’s peacebuilding to be infused into wider
peace and security policy frameworks.
The overall objectives of the module are:
To provide a conceptual frame work and analysis of women, peace and security.
To examine the concept of human security and its relations to the protection of women.
To raise awareness about and create an in-depth understanding of the various instruments on
women, peace and security.
To provide case studies of women’s contributions to peace and security in the region.
The target beneficiaries of the module are practitioners, community activists, grass roots
mobilisers, policy makers and researchers.
The content of the module encompasses:
Session One: Clarification of Concepts
Session Two: Violence against Women
Session Three: Human Security
Session Four: International Instruments on Women, Peace and Security
Session Five: References
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Session one deals with the Clarification of Concepts which includes the definition of gender,
gender roles, gender roles and human rights, masculinity, masculinity and violence against
women, feminism, types of feminism – African feminism, patriarchy among others.
The second session explores the ways in which women suffer from violence in both private and
public life, in times of war and ‘peace’. The themes that are explored include the definition of
violence, use of sexual violence in armed conflict, elements of armed conflict and possible
gender dimension and structural form of violence against women among others.
Session three highlights the definition of the concept of Human Security, differences between the
two concept of security, advancing human security, gender and human security.
Various forms of instruments and conventions are expatiated on in session five. These
instruments include:
International Instruments - Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995), the UNSC
Resolution 1325 (2000)
Regional instruments - African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of
Women in Africa (2003), the Constitutive Act of the African Union (Article 4), and the
Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (2004)
Sub – regional – ECOWAS Gender Policy, Conflict Prevention Framework
The reference section will encompass:
Case studies which intend to present lessons learnt as well as the unique practices of different
women’s groups across the region to participants.
Directory of women’s organisation in West Africa – (Org. Name, Contact person, Physical
address, email and website)
The methodologies that would be used are:
Brainstorming
Group Exercise
Role Play and Simulation
Mini Lecture
The expected outcomes of the module are:
Awareness is created about international, regional, sub regional instruments and mechanisms.
Peace and security operations are sensitive to gender – specific indicators.
Capacity of women will be enhanced to actively participate in peace and security processes.
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Recommendations and Suggestions (Women, Peace and Human Security)
It was recommended that national examples related to women and their role in peace and
security from across the sub region should be highlighted.
The module must also include aspects of domestic violence.
The importance of networking among women organisations in the sub region should also be
clearly stated.
The difficulties and challenges with working with men should also be captured.
Strategies for including women in decision-making processes should be documented.
The processes of engendering human security should be clearly explained in the module
The module should seek to link research policy and practice within its content.
2.4 Children and Armed Conflicts
Defence for Children International (DCI) is an independent non-governmental organisation that
has been promoting and protecting children’s rights since its establishment in 1979. DCI is
represented in over 45 countries worldwide through its national sections and associated
members. DCI’s International Secretariat, is located in Geneva and is the focal point of the
movement.DCI and its partners work on child rights issues that are relevant to their national,
regional and international contexts including child labour, street children, violence against
children, child trafficking and juvenile justice.
DCI-Nigeria is a not-for-profit organisation registered in Nigeria since 1996. DCI-Nigeria
envisions a just and responsible society where Nigerian children can exercise their rights and are
cared for by all. DCI-Nigeria is dedicated to ensuring on-going, practical, systematic and
concerted national and international action directed towards promoting and protecting the rights
of the child.
The objective of this module is to improve the capacities of peace building practitioners and
other stakeholders to advocate against the use of children during armed conflicts and facilitate
the protection of their rights and needs. This module will further enhance understanding about
children, their needs and rights, the legal instruments available for their protection and the role of
civil society, public and private sectors in upholding children’s rights.
The target beneficiaries are parents, youth organisations, and media, government agencies,
schools, non governmental organisations, faith based Organisations, and community based
organisations and private sector among others
The content of the module includes:
Definition of a Child
Understanding Children in Conflict
International and Legal Instruments
Existing Research on Children and Armed Conflicts
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Ending Violence Against Children
Children as Agents of Peace Building
Session one highlights on various definitions of a child. The biologically definition of a child,
legal definition of a child and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN
CRC) defines a child as any person under the age of 18 years unless the age of majority is lower
will be explained.
The second session will explain why Children are vulnerable at all times, but particularly in
situations of armed conflict. It will expatiate on how both boys and girls are affected by conflict,
and why girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual exploitation, family and community violence
and discrimination made worse by conflict.
The next session will document information about international and legal instrument that
facilitate the protection and promotion of child rights including:
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Nov.1989)
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of
children in armed conflict (May.2000)
Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (1998)
ILO Minimum Age Convention 138 (Jun. 1973)
ILO Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention 182 (Jun.1999)
The UN Security Council Resolutions-Between 1999-2005 (6 resolutions passed on children
and armed conflict)
The Paris Commitments and Principles (Feb.2007)
African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (Nov. 1999)
Session four will document existing research on children and armed conflict including the Graça
Machel study on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children (A/51/306 of 26 August 1996) which
was an important step in putting the issue of child rights on the international agenda.
The next session will expatiate on issues pertaining to ending violence against children. The
session will explain that violence against children cuts across nations, race, class, religion and
culture. It will also reiterate that Children are routinely exposed to violence at home, at school
and within the community, sometimes under the guise of discipline and most of it go unreported.
Requirements to end violence against children will also be highlighted.
The final session will highlight on children's rights perspective needs to be integrated into all
peace building activities that may have an impact on children. As with the mainstreaming of
gender equality, children's rights must be integrated into peace building in a way that does not
limit it to a separate child rights component or "pigeon hole" in an intervention.
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The training methodologies encompass:
Baseline Knowledge tests
Individual and Group Exercises
Role Plays
Case studies
Plenary sessions
The expected outcomes of the module are:
Knowledge about armed conflicts and how it affects children enhanced.
Nature of involvement of children in armed conflicts established.
Particular dangers and impact of armed conflicts on children appreciated.
Stakeholder responsibilities and the requirement to deliver appropriate professional
protection and assistance to child victims during armed conflicts understood.
Children’s rights issues that commonly arise in terms of situations girls and boys face during
armed conflict identified.
International, regional and national legal instruments that can be used to protect children
exposed.
Recommendations and Suggestions (Children and Armed Conflicts)
It was recommended that statistics on children’s rights issues from West Africa should be
used to develop the module.
The use of children as agents of peacebuilding should be clearly explained and documented.
There is also the need for the module to argue that the protection of children will enhance
conflict prevention.
Various national child rights instruments that have been adopted in the countries within the
sub region should be highlighted.
The existing research component should be enhanced with more sub regional research
findings.
The resource organisation should access material on child soldiers from the KAIPTC.
There is also the need to highlight how the various national child rights instruments have
worked so far.
2.5 Democratic Governance
The representative from the Centre for Democracy and Development- West Africa (CDD) did
not present the module but the proposed outline. After his presentation recommendations and
suggestions were made by the other participants.
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The proposed outline includes:
About CDD, Vision, Mission, Mandate
Expectations and Workshop Content
Understanding Democratic Governance
Concepts in Democratic Governance
Good Governance and Anti-Corruption
Good Governance and Conflict Prevention
Good Governance and Creating Sustainable Development
Democratic Governance and Proactive Peacebuilding
Recommendations and Suggestions (Democratic Governance)
The session on democratic governance and proactive peacebuilding should be a component
of good governance and conflict prevention.
The module should highlight youth involvement in governance processes
The module should draw the linkage between government policies and practical output.
The perception community citizens have about democracy should be highlighted.
The module should seek to capture the challenges of democratic development.
The module should highlight how we can adopt democracy to the West African context.
The module should expatiate on how CSOs have used various democratic tools to prevent
conflict.
The role of traditional governance should be clearly explained.
Anti-corruption commissions in West Africa and the governance index should be profiled in
the module.
The concept of inclusive government should be documented in the module.
The United Nations convention against corruption should be profiled in the manual.
2.6 Human Rights and Alternative Dispute Resolution
The Justice and Human Rights Institute is a non governmental organisation that enhances the
quality of justice and broadens respect for fundamental human rights, good governance,
democratic values and social responsibilities in Africa.
The objectives of the module are to:
Explain fundamental human rights and freedoms.
Encourage participants to identify human rights provisions in their national constitutions.
Reflect on individual notions of human rights.
Examine the relationship between human rights and attendant responsibilities.
The target beneficiaries are CSOs, mediators, negotiators, and human rights advocates among
others.
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The content of the module includes:
Part 1: Human Rights
Session One: Our Understanding of Human Rights
Session Two: Underlying Principles and Values of Human Rights
Session Three: Human Rights and Responsibilities
Session Four: Human Rights Standards and Mechanisms
Session Five: Human Rights in Conflict
Part 2: ADR
Conflict Resolution Mechanisms
What is ADR?
Arbitration
Negotiation
Conciliation
Mediation
Settlement/Agreement
Recommendations and Suggestions (Human Rights and ADR)
It was recommended that the module should be split into two, that is, a separate module for
ADR.
The need for more regional case studies from francophone and Lusophone countries.
The module should contain localized examples of best practices. For example experiences
from Liberia, Sierra Leone among others.
Tensions between Para-legal institutions and traditional dispute resolutions should be
clearly highlighted.
The challenges of human rights monitoring should be explained.
2.7 Post Conflict Reconstruction
WACSI was established by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa to enhance the capacity
of civil society in the region. The Institute was set up in an attempt to bridge the institutional and
operational gaps identified in civil society. WACSI is committed to the development of CSOs as
strategic partners in the pursuit of democracy, good governance and national development in the
sub-region. The Institute seeks to strengthen the institutional and technical capacity of CSOs to
engage in policy formulation, implementation, and the promotion of democratic values and
principles in West Africa
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The overall objectives of the module are to develop participants’ capacity in post conflict
reconstruction by:
Providing learners with a conceptual framework for understanding post conflict
reconstruction.
Raising awareness in participants on post conflict reconstruction operations.
Examining the role of transitional justice in post conflict reconstruction.
Highlighting case studies and indigenous reconciliation processes in Africa.
Promoting the exchange of ideas and experiences amongst participants through in group
work/exercises.
The target audience for this module includes civilian actors in post conflict reconstruction
constituting;
Non Governmental Organisations
Inter Governmental Organisations
Community Based Organisations
Faith Based Organisations
The content of the module encompasses:
Session One: Conceptual Framework for Peacebuilding
Session Two: Post Conflict Framework Analysis
Session Three: Demobilisation, Disarmament, Reinsertion and Rehabilitation in Post Conflict
Session Four: The Role of Transitional Justice Processes in Post Conflict
Session Five: Special Courts in Africa
Session Six: Truth and Reconciliation Processes in Africa
Session Seven: Indigenous Reconciliation Process in Africa
Recommendations and Suggestions (Post Conflict Reconstruction)
The module should highlight on the work of tribunals.
There is a need for the module to clearly state its target audience.
The module should capture the essence of African traditional mechanisms and how it can
empower post-conflict reconstruction.
The presentation should be in simple and practical language.
The definition of civil society should be a component of the conceptual section.
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2.8 Early Warning and Early Response
West Africa Network for Peacebuilding is headquartered in Accra, was founded in September
1998. It has national networks in Benin, Burkina Faso, and Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana,
Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo; as well as focal points
in Cape Verde, Mali and Niger. WANEP envisions “a West Africa region characterised by just
and peaceful communities where the dignity of the human person is paramount and where the
people can meet their basic human needs and decide their own direction”.
WANEP seeks “to enable and facilitate the development of mechanisms for cooperation among
civil society-based peacebuilding practitioners and organizations in West Africa to respond to
conflicts.
The overall goal of this module is not only to provide participants with a conceptual framework
for understanding early warning and response mechanism, but also to expose them to different
early warning systems, particularly the ECOWAS system, and give them practical suggestions
on how to establish an early warning system at community and national levels.
The specific objectives of the module are:
Expose participants to the various concepts of early warning.
Make participants to understand key reporting formats of an early warning system.
Introduce participants to the ECOWAS early warning system.
Equip participants with the skills on how to establish an early warning system at community
and national levels.
This module is designed for participants who may not have background knowledge in the field of
early warning and response mechanism including:
Faith Based Organisations
Community Based Organisations
Non Governmental Organisations
The methodologies that will be utilised encompass:
Mini-lectures
Brainstorming exercises,
Group work
Plenary
Case studies
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The content of the module encompasses:
Definition of an Early Warning System (EWS)
Indicators of an EWS
Types of Early Warning Report
Information Gathering
Engendering an EWS
Designing an EWS
Response Mechanisms
Role of CSOs in Early Warning and Response
Recommendations and Suggestions (Early warning and Early Response)
The module should highlight how community early warning can be linked to national and
regional early warning systems.
The module should outline the methods of inclusivity in terms data gathering.
The module should highlight the proper sources of data.
The module should explain that qualitative data is subjective. It should outline the types of
qualitative data and how it should be managed.
Fundamentals of early warning should be explained clearly.
The use of strategic roundtables as a community response mechanism should be highlighted
in the module as examples.
The skill of early warning report writing should be highlighted.
3.0 General Recommendations
3.1 Miscellaneous Recommendations
Members of the Advisory Committee should endeavour to get the right personnel from the
training institutions for the trainer of trainers (TOT) workshop. TOT members should have
the requisite training background including basic knowledge of conflict prevention and
development policy issues.
Representatives of United Nations Missions, African Union (AU), and Economic Community
of West African States (ECOWAS) should be invited to the TOT.
Strategies for influencing policy should be highlighted in every last section of every module
as a two-pager.
There is a need to organise a policy workshop to ascertain the impact of the resource pack
after three years.
Components of advocacy and lobbying should be seen in all the modules.
Media Monitoring for Conflict Prevention should be added to the conceptual section of the
resource pack.
It was proposed that the speaker of the ECOWAS parliament should be invited for the TOT
as an observer.
At least two participants per country should be invited for the TOT.
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There is a need to debrief the participants and facilitators individually before the
commencement of the TOT.
It was proposed that resource organisations should nominate institutions they know for
consideration to participate in the TOT.
3.2 Module Development Recommendations
Every module should be self-contained. It should be able to stand on its own. It should be
capable of being used for training. It should inform and provide a platform for policy
influencing.
The key elements of the conceptual framework should run through the entire document.
At the end of each module there should be a fact sheet on steps to influence policy
There should be proper referencing of sources.
Each session within the modules should take between 90 minutes to 120 minutes to deliver.
The deadline for modules yet to be done is July 30
The deadline for modules that need polishing is June 30
The deadline for final harmonisation is August 30
The TOT would be used to test the efficacy of the draft resource pack.
Every module should contain at least two case studies. The case studies should not be drawn
from one country.
Every module should have an acknowledgement page that highlights those who contributed
to its development.