Experts share insights and lessons learned
The African Union Commission (AUC) held two significant events from 18–20 November 2024 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. These included the 4th PCRD Awareness Week Brown Bag Meeting, which also launched the AU-PCRD Journal, and the AU Validation Meeting on a study concerning the impact of terrorism on children and the role of child protection in terrorism prevention. Both events were hosted by the AUC and attended by AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs), and subject matter experts.
The Brown Bag Meeting, held on 18 November 2024, launched the 4th PCRD Awareness Week bringing together key figures, including the Deputy Chairperson, the Director General, the Commissioners, and AUC key staff members. This gathering aimed to align perspectives, discuss the revised PCRD Policy, and coordinate efforts for effective implementation. It also provided a platform to reflect on and commemorate the AU’s commitment to supporting stabilization and recovery in conflict-affected regions.
Simultaneously, AU hosted the Validation Meeting from 18-20 November 2024 on the study about the impact of terrorism on children. The meeting aimed to examine the developed study from a lived and experienced perspective. Once finalized, the study will be presented to the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC), which will trigger the development of essential frameworks and policies to address the matter of children in situations of terrorism and violent extremism. The study will also inform the efforts of the PSC and the African Region on how to engage with Children in different scenarios of conflict, in their mandate to harmonise and coordinate continental efforts in the prevention and combating of terrorism on the Continent.
Both events provided a platform for experts to share insights and lessons learned, contributing to the enhancement of content in the critical areas of Child Protection and PCRD.
ACCORD through its Training for Peace (TfP) Programme remains committed to supporting the AU’s concerted efforts towards African peace and security.
