As part of efforts to strengthen the mediation-support capacity of the African Union (AU), and thereby enhance the quality and outcomes of peace processes led by the AU, ACCORD’s Peacemaking Unit will conduct mediation training for AU staff in Durban, South Africa, from 1-3 November 2011.
The course will focus on the theory and practice of mediation. It is hoped to equip AU staff as mediation process experts, to allow them to strategically and effectively guide, advise and support AU mediation teams through the mediation process. Twenty five participants from the AU head office and its liaison offices are expected to attend the training based on the roles they are playing or are likely to play in mediation processes.
Conflict remains prevalent throughout Africa, and continues to undermine efforts at sustainable development. Since its formation, the AU has pursued an active role in the resolution of conflicts in Africa, but has identified the need to strengthen their mediation and mediation-support capacities. With a strong background and experience in these areas, and as an organisation that seeks to encourage and promote the constructive resolution of disputes by the peoples of Africa, thereby achieving political stability, economic recovery and peaceful co-existence, ACCORD is ideally placed to provide this kind of training for the AU.
The training will be delivered under the AU Mediation Support Capacity Project funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland.
