ACCORD hosted a delegation of twenty-five academics and seven SIT students on Friday, 17 March 2023. Dr. Imraan Buccus, the Academic Director of the SIT programme in South Africa accompanied the delegation, with the President of SIT, U.S.A., Dr Sophia Howlett who visited the ACCORD office in Durban for the very first time. Dr Howlett was accompanied by academics representing the universities attended by the selected SIT students. These universities included, Brandeis, Trinity, Colorado, Richmond, North Texas, amongst others. The relationship between ACCORD and the SIT group spans many years and it has been a mutually beneficial experience. Some students have registered a desire to be hosted for internships at ACCORD, and several students have returned to ACCORD as Interns and even as staff members.
The aim of the SIT programme is to prepare students as future interculturally effective leaders, professionals and citizens. In so doing, SIT fosters a worldwide network of individuals and organisations committed to responsible global citizenship. SIT fulfils this mission (https://studyabroad.sit.edu/about/this-is-sit/) with field-based academic study abroad programmes for undergraduates and accredited master’s degrees and certificates 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 the educational, creative processes, as well as remaining open to the wealth of knowledge yet to be gained from young leaders.
ACCORD’s Founder & Executive Director, Dr. Vasu Gounden, welcomed the delegation and gave an overview of ACCORD’s work on the continent. Presentations during the session included ACCORD’s thematic areas of intervention. Ms Marisha Ramdeen; Ms Lwandile Moyo and Ms Savannah Wilmot, presented on Preventive Action and Mediation, Women, Peace & Security (WPS) and on Local & National Capacities for Peace; Mr Wandile Langa presented of Peace Support Operations; Ms Katharine Bebington presented on the Research outputs, and Ms Paida Mudzimuirema on Media and Communications. The delegation showed great interest in the work that ACCORD carries out on the continent.
