In 2014 the Founder and Executive Director of ACCORD, Vasu Gounden, was appointed by the SADC Summit to serve on the SADC Mediation Reference Group. On 09-11 December 2015 Mr Gounden participated in the Regional Mediation Training Curriculum Validation Workshop and Second Statutory Meeting of the SADC Mediation Reference Group.
The overall Strategic Goal of the SADC Mediation Reference Group is to “enhance the capacity of SADC for conflict prevention, management and resolution”. In order to contribute to the achievement of that Goal, the main Expected Outcome of the Reference Group for the period 2015-2017, covered by the Strategic Plan is the “prevention, containment and resolution of inter and intra-State conflict by peaceful means”
This will be achieved through three (3) Outcomes:
- Outcome 1: Increased understanding of the root causes and potential causes of conflict in SADC Member States;
- Outcome 2: Increased utilisation of mediation by SADC Member States as a tool for the prevention, containment and resolution of conflict by peaceful means; and
- Outcome 3: Strengthened capacity for peace, security, stability and sustainable development in the SADC region.
Mr Gounden is the South African representative on the Reference Group, which includes one representative each from Angola; Botswana; the Kingdom of Lesotho; Malawi; Mauritius; Mozambique; Namibia and South Africa.
