On 25-27 October 2023, the International Relations Society of Kenya (IRSK) in partnership with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) co-hosted the inaugural 2023 Annual IRSK Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.
The conference featured an exciting blend of speeches, roundtable discussions, presentations and expert insights on how state and non-state actors in the COMESA region specifically, and Africa more broadly can respond to the intricate and multifaceted challenges and the opportunities embedded therein. The conference brought together over ninety participants from academia, the diplomatic community in Kenya, Kenyan government officials, civil society organisations and media.
Ms Elizabeth Mutunga, the Head of Governance, Peace and Security programme at the regional trading bloc, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) opened the conference, emphasising the importance of informed policymaking and security interventions guided by research findings. “We must question if peace and security programmes are fit for purpose’ said Ms Mutunga during the international relations conference,”
Facilitating the integration of theory and practice, a highlight of the IRSK Annual Conference was the Launch of ACCORD’s Monograph, Mediating Peace in Africa: A Study on the Role of Mediation Support Units, which has both theoretical relevance and offers practical recommendations. The launch involved a dynamic panel discussion which critically examined the efforts, limitations and challenges that have been experienced by RECs in operationalising the institutions, and structures created for the purpose of engaging in mediation.
The parallel sessions held during the conference further enriched the discourse on international relations and diplomacy. Authors presented papers on a wide array of topics, including Media; Women in Diplomacy; International Law; International Political Economy; Economic Diplomacy; Diaspora Diplomacy; Cultural Diplomacy; and Environmental Diplomacy. These sessions provided a comprehensive exploration of the interconnected facets shaping the geopolitical landscape and offered diverse perspectives on collaborative solutions.The inaugural 2023 IRSK Annual Conference served as a pivotal moment for fostering dialogue, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and advancing the understanding of contemporary challenges in international relations. As the COMESA region and Africa at large navigate complex geopolitical dynamics, conferences like this play a crucial role in shaping informed policies and fostering sustainable solutions for a more stable and prosperous future.
You can watch the proceedings on our YouTube Channel.
