ACCORD hosted three students from the School of International Training (SIT) on Wednesday, 1 November 2023. The students were accompanied by Dr Imraan Buccus, the Academic Director of the SIT Programme in South Africa. The aim of the SIT programme is to prepare students as future inter-culturally competent leaders, professionals and citizens. In so doing, the SIT fosters a worldwide network of individuals and organisations committed to responsible global citizenship. SIT fulfills this mission with field-based academic study abroad programmes for undergraduates, accredited master’s degrees, and certificate programmes for graduates and professionals.
ACCORD prides itself in creating spaces for young researchers and political enthusiasts to thrive, as our mission continues to support their educational, and creative processes while remaining open to the wealth of knowledge yet to be gained from young leaders.
Presentations during the session covered ACCORD’s thematic areas of intervention, explaining the relevance of building country-specific capacities with a wide range of constituencies that includes youth, women, religious leaders, traditional authorities and civil society. ACCORD’s presentation covered the various programme clusters, Preventive Action and Mediation; Peace Support Operations; Women, Peace and Security and Local and National Capacities for Peace. Students raised a number of thought-provoking questions and made insightful comments that deepened the conversation and indicated their engagement and interests in the sector. One of the students was placed at ACCORD for a three-week period following this interactive session.
The relationship between ACCORD and SIT spans many years and has been a mutually beneficial experience for all concerned. Several SIT students have been afforded internships at ACCORD over the many years of collaboration.
