ACCORD Senior Trainer Pascal da Rocha ran an experiential and interactive Capacity Development workshop for the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) in September. The aim of the workshop was to develop and enhance capacity-building and mentoring skills of ASF/UNOAU/OCHA planning officers, to strengthen coordination and cooperation of key players from the UN and the AU.
The workshop was organised and funded by UNOCHA and it brought together 35 planners from a range of organisations, including the AU Commission, ASF Military Police and Civilian lead planners as well as staff members of the UNOAU, OCHA, and representatives from the REC’s. From 26-28 September 2011 the participants were led by Mr. da Rocha through a range of exercises strengthening communication skills, project management knowledge, and mentoring skills.
Held in Nairobi at the Humanitarian Peace Support school, participants were engaged in group discussions, adult learning activities and simulations in order to advance their understanding of potential institutional gaps and to establish a better networking arrangement with their counterparts. Since the most important planning counterparts were at the training, debates and discussions around strategies and policies were addressed, led by the UNOAU Chief of Staff, Mr. Colin Stewart.
Albeit being a consultancy activity, the workshop rationale is part of ACCORD’s mission to promote better understanding and cooperation among key actors within the context of the African Union and the United Nations. It fell within Training Unit’s strategic mission to provide bespoke training, learning, and development courses and the workshop highlighted the role that ACCORD can play as a resourceful broker of knowledge and experience.
Strengthening the Peace and Security Architecture in Africa is a key driver for ACCORD’s overall strategy to promote understanding and dialogue among the peoples of Africa. Thus, enhancing organisational capacity for better coordinated efforts towards peace is crucial.
