From 28 October – 03 November 2024, ACCORD hosted a retreat workshop in support of the local implementation of South Africa’s National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS). This initiative brought together beneficiaries of the South African Peacebuilding Initiative on WPS, fostering dialogue, reflection, and collaboration among current and past participants, as well as like-minded organisations engaged in peacebuilding at local and national levels.
The retreat served as a platform to evaluate the impact of the WPS agenda’s localisation, share best practices, and to connect cohorts from 2021–2023 with the current participants. Through knowledge exchange and networking opportunities, attendees strengthened their approaches to peacebuilding and built lasting support systems for future initiatives.
A key highlight of the retreat was a nationally accredited, three-day training on community engagement facilitation and dialogue, conducted by the Institute for Social Engagement Facilitation (ISEFSA). This training provided participants with certified skills to lead and manage community dialogues, addressing a key demand for formal accreditation to complement peacebuilding work. This hands-on learning experience underscored ACCORD’s commitment to equipping civil society actors, particularly women, with the tools needed for effective participation in peace processes.
By fostering collaboration, enhancing capacities, and promoting reflective dialogue, this retreat workshop reinforced ACCORD’s mission to advance women’s leadership in peacebuilding. The event underscored the vital role of civil society in shaping sustainable peace and strengthened the foundation for ongoing efforts to localise the WPS agenda across South Africa.
