On Monday, September 12th, Dr Vasu Gounden, Founder and Executive Director of the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes delivered a keynote speech at the University of Helsinki in the capital city of Finland. After being introduced by South African ambassador to Finland, H.E. Carmen Smidt, Dr Gounden addressed the continental challenges on peace, security and development.
African states are faced not only with the effects of climate change and economic austerity; many regions also suffer from violent extremism and weak governance. However, the progress made in the previous two decades is promising and development is believed to prosper continuously.
Under the heading of ‘Current Challenges in Africa and a Prognosis of the Future of African Peace, Security and Development’, over 50 attendants from the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the diplomatic corps, civil society organisations and tertiary institutions participated in the seminar. The audience was presented with the steps that need to be taken by African states to promote development in peace and security on the continent.
