On 28 October ACCORD hosted more than 30 international delegates at the future site of the Africa Peace Centre. The delegates were in Durban to attend the South African International Trade & Investment Conference, and included representatives from Portugal, Switzerland and the USA.
Following a brief introduction by Jerome Sachane, Deputy Director of ACCORD, the group were introduced to the history of the site, plans for development, and the fundraising focus of the ACCORD team. The Africa Peace Centre, which has been identified as a key project for the City of Durban (Ethekwini Municipality) leading up to 2010 and which is also a NEPAD-approved project, will include a residential mediation, training, and research facility. This will comprise of: a 150 person conference facility (including meeting and breakaway rooms, etc); world-class accommodations, including VIP suites; delegate dining facilities; the ACCORD research and administration centre (including an “early warning” centre focused on monitoring current and potential conflict in Africa); the “Museum of Silence”; the largest conflict and conflict management resource library in Africa; the “Gardens of Reconciliation” (to be established by the eThekwini Municipality); and, the transportation infrastructure will be provided by the eThekwini Cableway Company.
