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Meeting Report
Review Meeting On
Existing Training Initiatives and Methodologies on
Conflict Prevention in West Africa
11- 12 April, 2008
WACSI SECRETARIAT
ACCRA, GHANA
WEST AFRICA CIVIL SOCIETY INSTITUTE
IInINSTITUTE
2
List of Acronyms
Abusua Foundation
ADR Alternative Dispute Resolution
APRM African Peer Review Mechanism
CDD Center for Democracy and Development
CEWARN Conflict Early Warning and Response network
CSOs Civil Society organisations
ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States
ECPF ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework
FAS Femmes Africa Solidarité
GIF Governance Issues Forum
GTZ German Technical Cooperation
IDEG Institute of Democratic Governance
IPCR Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution
ITPPGG International Training programme in Peacekeeping and Good Governance
JHRI Justice and Human Rights Institute
LECIA Legon Centre for International Affairs
LECIA Legon Centre for International Affairs
MAWORPNET Mano River Women’s Peace Network
PTA Part time assessment
SSR Security Sector Reform
TOT Training of Trainers
WACSI West Africa Civil Society Institute
WACSOF West African Civil Society Forum
WANEP West Africa Network for Peacebuilding
WAPI West Africa Peace Initiative
WIPSEN-Africa Women Peace and Security Network Africa
3
Contents About WACSI ........................................................................................................................................... 5
Vision ........................................................................................................................................................ 5
Mission ...................................................................................................................................................... 5
About GTZ ................................................................................................................................................. 5
1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 6
1.1 Objective of the Meeting ............................................................................................................... 6
1.2 Expected Outcomes of Meeting .................................................................................................... 6
2.0 Overview of Project ...................................................................................................................... 7
2.1 Discussion ..................................................................................................................................... 7
3.0 Presentation of Existing Training Initiatives in the West Africa ............................................ 7
3.1 Regional Initiatives ............................................................................................................................ 7
3.1.1 WACSOF: Election Monitoring ............................................................................................... 7
3.1.2 FAS: Women, Peace and Security ............................................................................................ 7
3.1.3 CDD: Governance ..................................................................................................................... 8
3.1.4 WANEP: Early Warning and response ..................................................................................... 8
3.1.5 WIPSEN – AFRICA: Women Peace and Security ................................................................... 8
3.2 National Initiatives ............................................................................................................................. 8
3.2.1 IDEG: Democratic Governance ................................................................................................ 8
3.2.2 MARWOPNET: Women, peace and security ........................................................................... 8
3.2.3 JHRI: Human Rights Training and ADR .................................................................................. 9
3.2.4 ABUSUA Foundation: Youth and development ....................................................................... 9
3.3 Research Institutions ......................................................................................................................... 9
3.3.1 LECIA: International relations and conflict resolution ............................................................. 9
3.3.2 Institute for peace and conflict resolution (IPCR): Conflict Resolution ................................... 9
4
Table 1: Summary of Presentations ........................................................................................................ 10
3.4 Gaps and Recommendation ....................................................................................................... 10
4.0 ECOWAS-Civil Society Collaboration on Conflict Prevention Framework ....................... 20
5.0 Strategies for joint Implementation ........................................................................................ 21
Appendices ............................................................................................................................................. 22
List of Participants ................................................................................................................................ 22
Agenda Day 1 ....................................................................................................................................... 23
Agenda Day 2 ....................................................................................................................................... 24
List of Acronyms ...................................................................................................................................... 2
5
About WACSI
The West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) was established by the Open Society Initiative
for West Africa and the Soros Foundation Network 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.
Vision
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.
Mission
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.
WACSI’s role will be to serve as a resource center engaged in training, research, documentation,
and policy dialogue for CSOs in West Africa. The advocacy work of the Institute is conducted
through its policy dialogue process, which brings together different stakeholders to deliberate on
topical issues that affect West African States. Position papers will be published by the institute
and disseminated to policy makers.
About GTZ
The GTZ is an international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide
operations. GTZ promotes complex reforms and change processes, often working under difficult
conditions. Its corporate objective is to improve people’s living conditions on a sustainable basis.
As an international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide
operations, the federally owned Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ)
GmbH supports the German Government in achieving its development-policy objectives. It
provides viable, forward looking solutions for political, economic, ecological and social
development in a globalised world. Working under difficult conditions, GTZ promotes complex
reforms and change processes. It has undertaken substantial amount of conflict prevention work
in West Africa.
6
1.0 Introduction
The West Africa Civil Society Institute, WACSI, organised a 2-day regional workshop with key
actors and stakeholders from across West Africa to review existing training initiatives and
methodologies on conflict prevention in West Africa.
This workshop aligns with phase II of the WACSI, KAIPTC and GTZ Project (Conflict
prevention in West Africa, Designing conflict prevention modules for civilian actors in West
Africa), a collaborative effort by these organisations geared at responding to the lack of a
systematic and comprehensive framework, tools, and harnessed skills to enhance effective
conflict prevention in the region. The 12 month project (January to December 2008) brings
together peacebuilding practitioners and academia, practitioner in security sector reform (SSR),
alternative dispute resolution (ADR), human rights, elections monitoring, youth and
development , early warning and response, gender, and a handful of other experts to critically
examine inputs for the designing of the resource pack. This project is elaborated over five (5)
phases, two of which have been completed.
Project phases;
Phase one: Formation of the advisory committee.(Executed)
Phase two: Review of existing training contents and methodology. (Executed)
Phase three will focus on developing the various modules of the Resource Pack.
Phase four will focus on the publication and dissemination of the Resource Pack.
Phase five will be the delivery of the module through short and long term courses delivered
by participating institutions.
1.1 Objective of the Meeting
The objective of the workshop was to:
Review Existing Initiatives and Methodology on Conflict Prevention in west Africa
Who is doing what?
Scope of work and rationale for that scope
Content and methodology of training
Gaps
Impact of training and measuring techniques
Recommendations on developing the various modules for the resource pack
1.2 Expected Outcomes of Meeting
Bring in more institutions into the process of developing resource pack
The findings of the review meeting will be used to strengthen development of resource pack
Explore strategies for implementation; e.g. ECOWAS conflict prevention strategy
7
2.0 Overview of Project
Participants were presented an overview of the project and the outcome of phase one. The
following points were highlighted:
Project name
Rationale
Objective
Expected outcome
Target audience
Proposed content
Project phases
Advisory Committee
Role of Advisory Committee
2.1 Discussion
Proposals were made on the importance of traditional conflict prevention mechanisms to be
incorporated in the resource pack. Further, participants wanted a clear section on the role of
women in conflict resolution in the resource pack. In addition, participant highlighted the
importance of examining the role of external forces to conflicts in the sub region. Finally,
participants stress on the need for collaboration with regional bodies like ECOWAS in the
development of the different modules and also to include specific country case studies from
across the region.
3.0 Presentation of Existing Training Initiatives in the West Africa
3.1 REGIONAL INITIATIVES
3.1.1 WACSOF: Election Monitoring
The presentation by the General Secretary of WACSOF focused on existing regional training
initiatives by WACSOF through the use of local CSOs who have first hand information of the
terrain. The presentation highlighted the absence of a standardized training module for civil
society actors across West Africa on election monitoring and the need to harmonise training
modules on election monitoring and electoral processes in the region.
3.1.2 FAS: Women, Peace and Security
This presentation focused on the training content of short courses offered by FAS on conflict
prevention as well as the content of the master’s programme offered by FAS in collaboration
with the university of peace, Costa Rica. The presentation raised the problem of insufficient time
allocation for the short courses and the difficulties of following up the replication of these
courses at community level.
8
3.1.3 CDD: Governance
The presentation stressed on the fact that the training content of CDD depends on the aspect of
governance under examination. In addition, CDD uses experts on the different issues under
discussion to deliver training programmes. The presentation underlined the difficulties in
sustaining training initiatives and called for collaboration and sharing of experiences in
developing the modules for the resource pack.
3.1.4 WANEP: Early Warning and response
WANEP’s presentation focused on the following training programmes of WANEP; Peace and
non violence that is delivered in collaboration with WAPI, policy advocacy for civil society
through WIPNET, and Conflict Prevention and good governance through WARN
Further, it was indicated that WANEP uses a collaborative approach through partnership with
ECOWAS and other organisations to promote the idea of early warning and early response. This
has led to the creation of ECOWARN through which, incidental reports, situation reports and
policy briefs are made readily available to relevant stakeholders. The presentation also stressed
on the need to vulgarise the activities of WANEP at the community level.
3.1.5 WIPSEN – AFRICA: Women Peace and Security
This presentation focused on the training content of WIPSEN – Africa in the domains of rural
women, peace and human security, gender, SSR and transformation, women in leadership,
decision making, peace and human rights, mainstreaming peace and security in gender
mechanism. Further, the presentation also highlighted the training content for the peace girls’
leadership project; a project that aims at training female leader in matters of peace and SSR. The
presentation highlighted the need for research in the area of domestic violence.
3.2 National Initiatives
3.2.1 IDEG: Democratic Governance
This presentation indicated that the training content of the institute will depend on the issue of
democratic governance under examination. In addition, the training methodology used is largely
informal involving the participation of the common man through governance issues forum (GIF).
The presentation also dwelled on the fact the IDEG conducts research; prioritise the needs of the
communities before coming up with a training content.
3.2.2 MARWOPNET: Women, peace and security
The presentation highlighted the fact that MARWOPNET is involved in engendering early
warning and respond at community and national level. Further, the presentation outlined the
training content of MARWOPNET on women, peace and security. The training methodology
used is largely participatory with exercises and group work. Challenges in the course of training
include high rate of illiteracy among youth and women.
9
3.2.3 JHRI: Human Rights Training and ADR
The presentation of the JHRI indicated that the institute provides training and related services
designed to satisfy the specific needs of its clientele. The institution works in collaboration with
her clients to develop training contents that best suit their needs. Training programmes offered
are national, community based and for state Institutions. Further, the presentation highlighted a
rundown of the training content for conflict prevention and ADR. Finally, the presentation
underlined financial constrains in extending the training to all desired quarters.
3.2.4 ABUSUA Foundation: Youth and development
This presentation dwelled on the fact that a “rights-based” approach is used in the training of
youth for development by the foundation. In addition, training programmes cut across prisoner’s
rights, advocacy and vocational training for the youth. Finally, the presentation pointed out the
challenges of limited interest in youth matters by many stakeholders, difficulties in partnering
with likeminded organisations and financial constraints in running training programmes.
3.3 Research Institutions
3.3.1 LECIA: International relations and conflict resolution
The presentation of LECIA highlighted the fact that LECIA is a research and training centre in
matters of international relation and conflict prevention with a region view. Prominent among its
collaborative efforts in research and teaching is the International Training Programme in
Peacekeeping and Good Governance for African civilian personnel (ITPPGG). A rundown of the
training content for this programme was made while indicating some financial and administrative
challenges in the running of training programmes.
3.3.2 Institute for peace and conflict resolution (IPCR): Conflict Resolution
The presentation indicated that IPCR is an institution under the ministry of foreign affairs of the
government of Nigeria that aims at building individual and institutional capacities in
peacebuilding, conflict prevention, management and resolution, and the promotion of change by
peaceful means. Further, training targets are actors in Local, State and National governments,
civil society, the youth, women, traditional rulers, state legislators and judicial officers and
planning officers. The presentation also indicated that IPCR is hosting a national Conflict Early
Warning and Response (CEWARN) situation room. Finally, the presentation pointed out some of
the challenges of the institution which include the low capacity utilisation of the system.
10
Table 1: Summary of Presentations
Institution Area of Activity Theme of presentation
WACSOF Regional Election Monitoring
FAS Regional Women peace and security
CDD Regional Governance
WIPSEN –
AFRICA
Regional Women peace and security
WANEP Regional Early Warning and Response
IDEG National Democratic Governance
MARWOPNET National Women, Peace and Security
JHRI National Human Rights training and
ADR
ABUSUA
Foundation
National Youth and Development
LECIA Institutional International Relations and
Conflict Resolution
IPCR Institutional Conflict Resolution
3.4 Gaps and Recommendation
Following the presentations made by the different organisations and the research institutions,
some gaps were identified that if not catered for might compromise the desired quality of the
resource pack. To this end, a number of recommendations were made in order to help the
different organisations charged with the development of the different modules to come up with a
comprehensive package that will reflect and meet the current and future needs of the region.
Below is a summary the various organisations, the gaps indentified in them and
recommendations on mitigating these gaps.
11
Gaps and Recommendations
Organisation Area of
Training
Gaps Recommendation
WASOF
Election
Observation
Lack of a
standard
module for
training of
observers
National
platforms not
strong enough
to fully perform
their mandates
Weak
interaction with
national election
observers
Need for
dialogue and
collaboration
with the
administration
on electoral
processes
Need for the
harmonization
of electoral
process in West
Africa
Review existing
work on existing
work on election
observation and
monitoring, put all
related templates on
the issue together
and come up with a
comprehensive
module
Follow up what local
CSOs are doing on
the ground prior to
elections
Include a
monitoring and
evaluation
mechanism as the
training unfolds.
Capture regional
best practices in
module and also try
to identify local
observers well ahead
of time in order to
ease collaboration
12
Gaps and Recommendations
Organisation Area of
Training
Gaps Recommendation
FAS Peace
Development
and Gender
Difficulties in
measuring
impact of
work done
Need to put in
place
mechanism to
cater for
conflicts
emerging
from
university
campuses
Low number
of staff
Insufficient
time
allocation for
short courses
Difficulties in
following up
the replication
of training at
community
level
Resource pack
should have a
build in
mechanism
for measuring
impact
Include a PTA
to measure
performance
as training
unfolds
Collaborate
with other
organisation
and institution
in the domain
of peace
development
and gender
13
Gaps and Recommendations
Organisation Area of Work Gaps Recommendation
CDD Good
Governance
• Difficulties in
measuring the
impact of work
done
• Lack of sufficient
financial resources
to sustain some
training
programmes
• Insufficient work
on the APRM
• Need to vulgarise
ECOWAS protocol
on democracy and
good governance
• Module should
include
practical
exercises on
governance
• Make reference
to different
protocol on
governance
and not just the
ECOWAS
protocol
• Work on
continental
governance
structure and
include a
special session
on corruption
• Included issues
on
participation
• Clearly identify
entry points for
community
participation
14
Gaps and Recommendations
Organisation Area of Work Gaps Recommendation
WANEP Early Warning
and Response
Insufficient
information
on the
activities of
WANEP
especially at
the
community
level
Need to
proper
research into
early response
In adequate
advocacy on
the
ratification of
the ECOWAS
protocol on
early warning
Insufficient
finances
Need for
training on the
use of WANEP
website
Outline
methodology of
data collection
for resource
pack
Include a session
on early
response at all
level
Carry out
extensive
research on
early warning
Collaborate with
CDD,
MARWOPNET
and WACSOF
15
Gaps and Recommendations
Organisation Area of
Training
Gaps Recommendation
WIPSEN- Africa Women, Peace
and Human
Security
Need to
mainstream
monitoring
and
evaluation
into the
training
process
Need to
incorporate
domestic
violence into
the training
modules
Need for a
compendium
of modules
used in
Women peace
and security
Develop
session on
domestic
violence.
Collaborate
with
BAOBAB for
women
development
Include
session to
train men on
promoting
human
security
Include
session on
cases of best
practices from
across the
region
16
Gaps and Recommendations
Organisation Area of
Training
Gaps Recommendation
IDEG Democratic
Governance
Challenges on
taking off with
Governance
Issues Forum
(GIF) at district
level
Difficulties
getting women
to participate in
debates
Difficulties in
evaluating the
impact of work
done
Need to upgrade
training manual
to properly
address gender
issues
Collaborate with
WIPSEN-Africa and
FAS
Include session on
involving women on
governance
discussions
Include session on
community entry
engagement
Review publications
on democratic
governance
Develop module on
local governance
issues
Develop session on
gender budgeting
and auditing
Be specific on
gender issues and
gender roles.
17
Gaps and Recommendations
Organisation Area of
work
Gaps Recommendation
MARWOPNET Women
Peace and
security
Government
reluctant to
accept the
participation of
women on
security issues
Low
participation of
people at
community level
because of high
rate of illiteracy
Hindrance due
to gender
inequality in
formal security
sector
Develop session on
how to involve
women in policy
making
Add portion on
strategies for
women to work
with men and
governments
Properly articulate
women needs in
conflict area
Identify strategies
needed or used in
addressing these
needs
Apply network
strategies in
solving problems
identified in the
course of
developing the
modules
18
Gaps and Recommendations
Organisation Area of
training
Gaps Recommendation
JHRI Human
Rights and
ADR
Inadequate
resources
Difficulties in
measuring impact
of training
Time constraints
Need for
programme to
grown in to a
region training
Need to expand
negotiation skills
at community
level
Collaborate with
other institutions
outside Ghana
working on
mediation and
negotiation
Develop session on
how to blend
traditional
methods of conflict
resolution with
modern methods
Develop module on
ADR practices
from across West
Africa
encompassing the
Anglophone,
Francophone and
Lusophone
experiences
At the conceptual
level of ADR,
include session on
conflict
transformation
19
Gaps and Recommendations
Organisation Area of
training
Gaps Recommendations
ABUSUA
Foundation
Youth and
Development
Inadequate
Human
resources
Insufficient
documentation
of activities
Need to
develop specific
programmes on
girls and
children
Need to align
youth
programmes
with national
programmes
Need to extend
collaboration
with other
institution
Include regional
initiatives on youth
and development
Clearly outline
youth priority and
indicate method
used in identifying
these priorities
Add session on
youth best practices
from across the
region.
Develop session on
the use of youths for
cross border
conflicts
Develop session of
youth entry points
into develop
20
4.0 ECOWAS-Civil Society Collaboration on Conflict Prevention Framework
This presentation by the conflict prevention unit of ECOWAS on the collaboration between
ECOWAS and civil society in developing conflict prevention strategies centered around the
ECOWAS conflict prevention framework (ECPF) as a tool upon which ongoing efforts could
build upon in order to meet the new ECOWAS dream for the region – “From ECOWAS of states
to ECOWAS of the peoples”. Further, the presentation outlined the 14 focus areas of the ECPF
which are:
Early Warning
Preventive Diplomacy
Democracy and Political Governance
Human Rights and the Rule of Law
Media
Natural Resource Governance
Cross-Border Initiatives
Security Governance
Micro-Disarmament
Women, Peace and Security
Youth Empowerment
ECOWAS Standby Force
Humanitarian Assistance
Peace Education (Culture of Peace)
Finally, the presentation highlighted the fact that ECOWAS has put in place mechanisms for
cooperation with CSOs for information sharing with civil society networks, and the setting up of
communication channels for the input of civil society contribution into all ECOWAS policies
and programmes. Considering all these efforts, CSOs were called upon to play their role of
implementation as prescribed in the ECOWAS conflict prevention framework.
21
5.0 Strategies for joint implementation
Explaining the strategy for implementation, it was stressed that WACSI’s role is just to put
together the resource pack. The implementation proper of training programmes with the use of
the resource pack shall be done by CSOs. The following points were equally highlighted:
WACSI will provide funding to some credible CSOs with a track record of success in
their thematic areas of work for the development of the different modules.
KAIPTC will offer courses with the use of the resource pack and will equally host the
training of trainers (TOT) training programme on the use of the module.
GTZ will provide funding to institutions using the resource pack for training
Additionally, the following key points were also brought to the attention of participants:
The period for the development of the modules will be two weeks (April 21 to May 6)
There shall be a meeting in June 2008 to harmonise the modules for the resource pack
There shall be a 2-day TOT training programme in October 2008 on the use of the
resource pack
There shall be testing sessions in francophone countries before a final printout of the
resource pack
Final printout of the resource pack shall be in January 2008
22
Appendices
List of Participants
REGIONAL WORKSHOP TO REVIEW OF EXISTING TRAINING INITIATIVES AND
METHODOLOGIES ON CONFLICT PREVENTION
11 AND 12 APRIL, 2008
VENUE: WACSI SECRETARIAT, ACCRA. GHANA
No Name Country Organisation/ Institution
Email Address Phone Number
1. Thelma Ekiyor Ghana WACSI [email protected] +233-21778917
2. Adama Sira Bah Ghana WACSI [email protected] +233-244034182
3. Gima Humphrey Forje Ghana WACSI [email protected] +233-248516589
4. Mr Siaka Coulibaly Burkina Faso
WACSOF/FOSCAO [email protected] + 226-70253006
5. Dr. Oshita o. Oshita Nigeria IPCR [email protected] + 234-8033246056
6. David Nii Addy Ghana KAIPTC [email protected] +233-244334907
7. David D. Afropong Ghana Justice & Human Rights
[email protected] +233-244561917
Institute
8. Gnacadja Constant Benin WANEP [email protected] +22995065615
+22997388559
9. Prof Oumar Ndongo Nigeria WACSOF [email protected] + 234-7033009456
10. Tsike-Sossah Eyram Ghana Abusua Foundation [email protected] +233-244978428
11. Janet Tucker Sierra Leone
MARWOPNET [email protected] +232-766076244
+232-33814342
12. Mr Babatunder Afolabi Nigeria ECOWAS [email protected] +234-8027330554
Tolu
13. Steve Syme Ghana Logiscon [email protected] +233-244079607
14. Ighorodje Voke Nigeria CDD [email protected] +234-8033465161
+2348055
15. Aminata Diaye Senegal FAS
16. Afua Lamptey Ghana Lecialitppgg [email protected] +2332447
17. k.sillah Ghana WANEP [email protected] +2332499
18. Ruby Quantson Ghana IDEG [email protected] +233-21518017
19. Leymah Gbowee Ghana WIPSEN - Africa [email protected] +233-212-691-4224
20. Ecoma Alaga Ghana WIPSEN – Africa +233 24 709095
23
AGENDA
Regional workshop to revue existing training initiatives and methodologies on
conflict prevention
11-12 April, 2008
Venue : WACSI Secretariat
TIME ACTIVITIES
DAY 1 Friday 11/04/08
9.00 – 9.30 9.30 – 10.30 10.30 – 11.00 11.00 – 13.00 13.00 – 14.00 14.00 – 15.00 15.00 – 16.00 16.00
Welcome and introduction
WACSI Overview of project Discussion Tea/Coffee break Presentation of existing training initiatives in the region Regional:
WACSOF: Election Monitoring
FAS: Women, peace and security
CDD: Governance
WANEP : Early warning and response
WIPSEN: Women, peace and security
Discussions Lunch National:
IDEG: Democratic governance
MARWOPNET Sierra Leone: Women, peace and security
JHRI: Human Rights training and ADR
Abusua Foundation: Youth and development Discussions AOB Close
End of day 1
24
AGENDA
Regional workshop to revue existing training initiatives and methodologies on
conflict prevention
11-12 April, 2008
Venue : WACSI Secretariat
TIME
ACTIVITIES
Day 2 Saturday 12/04/08
9.00 – 10.30 10.30 – 11.00 11.00 – 13.00 13.00 – 14.00 14.00 – 15.00 15.00 – 16.00 16.00
Institutions:
LECIA: International relation and conflict resolution
Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution: Conflict resolution
ICCHRA: Conflict resolution and peacebuilding Discussions Tea/Coffee break Mapping of existing tools, gaps, opportunities and recommendations Lunch Strategies for joint implementation ECOWAS conflict prevention framework Collaboration and Networking AOB Close
End of Day 2
