On 21-22 April 2023 ACCORD attended the African Union (AU) Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) workshop that discussed the development of a consolidated database of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working in the field of peace and security in Africa.
The workshop, which took place in Nairobi, Kenya, brought together CSOs from across the continent, AU ECOSOCC and Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) representatives, as well as representatives from structures within Regional Economic Communities (RECs) relevant to peace and security in Africa.
CSOs had the opportunity to share their experiences on working with the AU and its organs, especially the Peace and Security Council (PSC) as well as lessons learnt and opportunities that might exist. Discussions about the practicalities of establishing a consolidated database, provided the CSOs and RECs with an opportunity to share their inputs and ideas for the database. The workshop shed further light on the applicability of having a consolidated database, and how such a pool of resources, could help foster peace and security on the African continent.
The database aims to provide a platform for various CSOs engaged in different peace and security thematic areas to collaborate and engage with the AU, relevant RECs, national governments, and each other. It is also envisaged that the database will help with the sharing of information, best practices and the promotion of accountability and transparency.
Representation at the ECOSOCC workshop allowed ACCORD to contribute further to efforts to enhancing the institutional responses of the AU and the RECs to complex conflicts, as well as to ACCORD’s strategic objective of contributing evidence-based analysis, policy support and knowledge to respond to complex conflicts.
