Understanding the context and dynamics of a conflict is a major element in the resolution of conflict. In a post-conflict society, it constitutes a key pillar in the determination of the success of peacebuilding programmes and processes, and the consolidation of peace.
ACCORD’s African Peacebuilding Coordination Programme (APCP) in conjunction with the Liberia Peacebuilding Office recently trained 37 Conflict Analysts and Mappers on Conflict Analysis/Conflict Mapping techniques and approaches. The training was conducted from 28-30 September, 2015 in Gbarnga, Liberia. This training aimed to build the capacity of Liberian peacebuilding actors, to be able to conduct reliable evidence-based data during an upcoming comprehensive nation-wide conflict assessment or mapping exercise in Liberia.
The training increased the skills of Conflict Analysts and Conflict Mappers on Conflict Analysis; and familiarised them with new tools to conduct a conflict mapping exercise. The training built the capacity of the aforementioned Conflict Analysts and Mappers to conduct a national mapping exercise on conflict assessment in Liberia, including an assessment of the impact peacebuilding actors have made in the country.
Conflict Analysis training assists peacebuilders in providing a correct interpretation of a conflict’s dynamics. As such, the training improved the overall effectiveness of peacebuilding actors to understand the current conflict context. It also enhanced the capacity of local Civil Society Organisations to understand the issues affecting the National Reconciliation Roadmap, as well as peace consolidation in the country through the mapping of all actors.
The skills obtained from the training will be utilised to conduct the nation-wide assessment planned by the Peacebuilding Office, which will yield a policy document local and international actors in Liberia can draw lessons from, as well as help them to understand the persistent gaps inherent in the Liberian peacebuilding process. The evidence-based findings will alert key peacebuilding stakeholders to new knowledge and innovative responses to peacebuilding challenges in Liberia.
The training was held under the auspices of ACCORD’s APCP. The overall objective of the APCP is to contribute to greater coherence and coordination amongst peacebuilding actors in Africa towards enhanced stability and security across the continent, with Liberia being one of APCP’s focus countries. ACCORD will continue to enhance the capacity building of key peacebuilding stakeholders in Liberia as part of the APCP.
