This vision already enjoys the support of global political leadership including that of Nelson Mandela, Tony Blair and Graça Machel. Further support has come from institutions like NEPAD and the South African government who have set aside land for the project.

“The principles underpinning Accord's operations are the very ideals for which humanity has striven for centuries - peaceful resolution of conflict, human rights, and good governance.” - Nelson Mandela

"I applaud the establishment of the Accord Peace Centre in Africa. I hope it will help achieve the peace and stability which Africa needs." - Tony Blair

“Accord is determined to make a huge difference, empowering people and challenging all in our society to end conflict in Africa.” - Graça Machel  

The Africa Peace Centre will operate at three levels:

1. Creating a knowledge base on conflict resolution in Africa through rigorous ongoing research;
2. Equipping Africa's leaders in the skills required to facilitate peace and resolve conflict through an extensive training programme;
3. Intervening in specific conflicts by facilitating and hosting mediation efforts in collaboration with other major players like the UN and AU.

The Centre is being designed to provide a secure facility for the intervention activity (based on learnings from the South African, Burundi, and Congo Peace talks) however it will also be used to host the training programme and house the research facilities (including an extensive library). This combination ensures the most effective use of the facility but also that all these aspects are accessable to the intervention process.

The Africa Peace Centre will foster dialogue and build the capacity in Africa for the prevention of conflicts and, where conflicts do arise, it will provide a facility that can speed up intervention response times thus stemming the escalation of conflict and saving lives.

The Africa Peace Centre will be the first green Peace Centre in the world and is being designed to maintain a high level of self-sufficiency, relying heavily on the use of passive design strategies of climate control complemented by active new technologies for energy supply.

The $40-million Centre will incorporate specialist mediation and training facilities, as well as a peace museum and gardens of reconciliation to drive an extensive public education programme.

Despite significant progress towards peace, Africa remains the most conflict-ridden region of the world and yet, until recently, it was the one region without a Peace Centre. Despite the ongoing conflict, Africa has recorded significant growth in both Gross Domestic Product and Foreign Direct Investment. While this growth has the potential to strike at the root of conflicts and to lift millions out of poverty, it often does not translate into much needed development and at times even fuels the conflict. As a result, Africa will struggle to meet any of the Millennium Development Goals.

The inequality that often characterises poverty in fragile, conflict-ridden states remains a key stumbling block for the continent. Without continued effort and significant investment in conflict resolution, recent gains will be lost and new wars are likely to break out.

The Business Imperative

These wars have shattered the lives of million of Africans, but have also exacted a heavy economic toll. Recent research by Oxfam and SaferWorld estimate that on average armed conflict shrinks a nation’s economy by 15%.

While there may be short-term economic gain for some within a context of conflict, it is well established that stabile political environments are far more conducive to economic growth and corporate profitability. Recent developments in Kenya show how devastating even short spells of political unrest can be to an economy.