The goal of the Training for Peace (TfP) in Africa Programme is to build sustainable African civilian and police peacekeeping capacities that are needed in order to implement multidimensional United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU) peacekeeping mandates. The TfP Programme was launched in 1995 with the current phase ending in 2015. To further understand the impact of the Programme during this phase (2010-2015), an evaluation of the Programme was conducted and its findings, conclusions and recommendations were presented by the evaluation team and thereafter discussed by all the stakeholders who attended the IAB Meeting together with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The IAB meeting therefore provided an opportunity to engage with the evaluation team in commenting on the ‘Building Blocks for Peace: An Evaluation of the Training for Peace in Africa Programme’ report.
The International Advisory Board (IAB) of the Training for Peace meeting took place on the 13-14 November 2014 in Oslo, Norway. The meeting was attended by all TfP Partners, AU and UN representatives together with other key stakeholders. The State Secretary in Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr Bí¥rd Glad Pedersen opened the session by highlighting the important work done by the Programme. He further reiterated that peace and security in Africa is a priority to the Norwegian government noting that the TfP Programme has lasted for 20 years which demonstrates its impact and relevance on the continent.
The meeting brought partners and stakeholders together to discuss the current evaluation report of the TfP programme; to discuss the future of the Programme after 2015 and; how the Programme and the partners can enhance the relevance and efforts of the TfP Programme. In addition the meeting sought to review the work done by partners in 2014 together with an analysis of how TfP could enhance its support to the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325. Further, the discussions provided advice on the Programme’s engagement in United Nations reform process of peace operations and how to increase the cooperation between the UN and AU in peace and Security.
The TfP Partners also had the opportunity to hold a separate internal meeting to discuss their respective organisations’ 2015 work plans and the TfP Communication Package. The meeting was held prior to the IAB meeting on 12 November 2014. The Partners further engaged with the representative of the African Union Peace Support Operation Division (AU PSOD) on how to coordinate engagements and align the 2015 work plans with the priorities of the AU.
The TfP/ACCORD was represented by Mr Vasu Gounden, the Founder and Executive Director, ACCORD, Ms Irene Limo, Senior Programme Officer, Peacekeeping Unit, Ms Barbara Mohale, Programme Officer, Peacekeeping Unit.
The Training for Peace Programme at ACCORD is an initiative funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
