Conference

Conference Theme: Africa Conference on Peace and Prosperity
Description Since the post-Cold War era, global insecurity has been on the rise, particularly since 2010. In response to these escalating challenges to security and prosperity, a diverse array of measures is being implemented. The African Peace and Security Conference is poised to address these urgent issues by convening policymakers, scholars, and practitioners from around the world. The conference will explore a range of topics, including the obstacles to peace building, the Agenda 2023 framework, valuable experiences and lessons learned, and effective principles and frameworks for achieving sustainable peace.
DAY- 1: Building the Foundations of Peace and Prosperity
  The first day of the conference will focus on the foundational aspects of peace and security across the African continent. Key topics will include regional integration and cooperation, the Agenda 2063 framework, and other relevant issues. The objective is to examine the current architecture and practices of peacebuilding in Africa, assess their effectiveness, identify prevailing challenges, and discuss strategies for future progress.
Plenary Sessions
Plenary Session -1: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers: Fostering Regional Integration for Shared Prosperity
Description As the renowned peace scholar Johan Galtung emphasizes in his book Peace by Peaceful Means, practices of dissociation and disharmony—rather than associationalism and the promotion of harmonious relationships—pose significant challenges to international peace and security. Dissociation breeds disconnection, mistrust, and suspicion, while associationalism fosters connections between people, communities, and states. This panel will explore the critical need to dismantle barriers and build bridges through enhanced regional cooperation and integration.
  Objectives
 
  • Identify the key factors behind dividers and barriers in international peace and security.
  • Explore the importance of building bridges for advancing peace and security.
  • Highlight the benefits of associationalism in linking people, communities, and states.
  • Discuss strategies for dismantling barriers and building bridges through regional cooperation.
  Sub-themes
 
  • Explaining Connectors and dividers
  • Empathy, understanding and social cohesion
  • Creation of inclusive structures and institutions
  • Challenges to regional integration and cooperation
Plenary Session -2: From Rhetoric to Reality: Implementing Agenda 2063 for a Stronger Africa
Description Agenda 2063 serves as Africa’s strategic blueprint for transforming the continent into a global powerhouse. This panel will focus on the practical steps necessary to turn this visionary plan into a tangible reality. It will examine the key initiatives, strategies, and collaborative efforts required to effectively implement Agenda 2063 and achieve its ambitious goals.
  Objectives
 
  • Provide a comprehensive overview of Agenda 2063 and its vision for Africa’s future.
  • Identify and discuss the key initiatives and strategies necessary for the successful implementation of Agenda 2063.
  • Explore the roles of governments, private sectors, and civil society in driving the agenda forward.
  • Highlight successful case studies and best practices from across the continent that align with Agenda 2063.
  • Foster engagement and collaboration among participants to support the implementation of Agenda 2063
  Sub-themes
 
  • The Vision, Aspirations Key Pillars and Goals of Agenda 2063
  • The Role of women and youth in Implementing Agenda 2063
  • The Role of Civil Society in Implementing Agenda 2063
  • Initiatives and Success Stories
  • The role of the international community in the implementation of agenda 2063
Parallel Sessions
Parallel Session 1: Inclusive Peacebuilding
Description: Inclusivity is an essential component for achieving effective peacebuilding, particularly in the context of escalating global conflicts. As the frequency and intensity of disputes increase, the need for building sustainable, harmonious communities has never been more urgent. Successful peacebuilding relies heavily on the active, meaningful, and comprehensive engagement of a broad spectrum of stakeholders. This includes not only the primary parties involved in the conflict but also marginalized groups, local communities, and international actors. Incorporating diverse voices into the peacebuilding process ensures that the solutions crafted are representative of and responsive to the needs and concerns of all affected parties. This inclusivity helps to address the root causes of conflict more effectively and fosters a sense of ownership and commitment among participants. When stakeholders from various backgrounds and perspectives are genuinely involved in decision-making, they contribute unique insights and innovative solutions that might otherwise be overlooked. Moreover, the process of integrating diverse viewpoints can enhance the legitimacy and acceptance of peace agreements. It helps build trust among conflicting parties and encourages collaborative problem-solving, which is crucial for the longterm stability of peace efforts.
  Objectives
 
  • Highlight that inclusivity is essential for successful peacebuilding, as diverse perspectives lead to more durable and widely supported agreements.
  • Facilitate the exchange of best practices in inclusive peacebuilding, fostering cross-learning and enhancing collective knowledge through shared strategies and experiences.
  • Align inclusivity in peacebuilding with Agenda 2063 by ensuring that peacebuilding strategies and initiatives reflect the goals and principles outlined in the Agenda.
  Sub-Themes:
 
  • Accessing the implementation of African-YPS for sustainable peace.
  • Accessing the implementation of African-WPS for sustainable peace.
Parallel Session 2: Climate Change, Governance, Conflict
Description The UN Secretary-General has identified climate change as the defining challenge of our time, with repercussions that extend far beyond environmental issues into the realms of human systems and global security. Climate change does not only affect ecosystems but also disrupts human societies, magnifying existing vulnerabilities and posing significant threats to peace and stability. However, the relationship between climate change and conflict is complex and multifaceted. While it is clear that climate change can exacerbate tensions and conflicts, pinpointing the precise mechanisms through which it does so is challenging. This difficulty arises from the interplay of various factors that drive conflict, such as resource scarcity, economic instability, and social inequality. Particularly in states with weak governance, insufficient development, and limited resources for climate adaptation, the impacts of climate change can be devastating. While there is no straightforward or linear relationship between climate change and violent conflict, the indirect effects of climate change can undermine food security and contribute to social and economic pressures that heighten the risk of conflict. To effectively address these challenges, responses must integrate good governance practices and consider cross-sectoral interactions. This panel examines the magnitude of climate change in the continent; the nexus between climate change, governance failure and conflict, and various climate change mitigation measures and the challenges faced.
  Objectives
 
  • Deepen understanding of the connections between climate change, governance, and conflict.
  • Develop a platform for exchanging and learning effective climate change mitigation strategies.
  Suggested Sub-Themes:
 
  • Africa’s vulnerability to climate change
  • Nexus between climate change – governance - conflict
  • Climate change mitigating measures
DAY- 2: Framework and Praxis: Experiences, Challenges, and Way forward
Description The second day of the conference will provide an in-depth exploration of the existing frameworks and architectures of peacebuilding, critically assessing their current implementation and effectiveness. This session will evaluate how well these frameworks address contemporary challenges and identify areas for improvement. Additionally, the day will tackle emerging issues that impact peace and security, including the effects of climate change, governance challenges, and the dynamics of evolving conflicts. Experts will discuss how these factors intersect with and influence peacebuilding efforts, and explore innovative approaches to adapting existing frameworks to address these new and pressing concerns. The goal is to enhance understanding of how to strengthen peacebuilding strategies in the face of these complex, interconnected issues.
Plenary Sessions
Plenary Session -1: Pan-Africanism in the 21st Century: Collaboration for a More Just and Equitable World Order
  Suggested Sub-Themes:
 
  • Grand Narratives and Strategic Narratives for Peacebuilding in Diverse Societies
Plenary Session -2: From Experience to Action: Ethiopia's Path to Sustainable Peace and Development/ Prosperity
Description Ethiopia is navigating a complex path toward enduring peace following decades of turbulence. This multifaceted approach integrates various strategies, including the strengthening of local, indigenous institutions and practices, rehabilitating former combatants, and implementing Security Sector Reform (SSR) within formal security structures. Additionally, efforts are focused on fostering cultural change through volunteerism, resolving longstanding conflicts, and promoting social cohesion via strategic discussions on shared narratives. These measures aim to address the root causes of violence and insecurity. Simultaneously, Ethiopia is advancing development initiatives centered on green development, sustainable tourism, and information and communication technologies (ICTs), which complement its manufacturing sector. However, the ongoing challenges of active insurgencies and regional insecurity have obscured the progress and rationale behind these peacebuilding efforts. This session will provide a detailed exploration of these initiatives, highlighting scalable and innovative strategies that have been implemented and refined amid these ongoing challenges.
  Objectives
 
  • Deepen understanding of Ethiopia’s new approaches to building sustainable peace and development/prosperity;
  • Contribute to further articulation of the emerging Ethiopian model of sustainable peacebuilding and development;
  • Develop a platform to share Ethiopia’s nascent, yet promising, initiatives with a wider continental public.
  Suggested Sub-Themes:
 
  • National Dialogue as a sustainable peacebuilding tool.
  • Social Capital and Peacebuilding
  • Green Development and Ethiopia’s Environmental Legacy
Plenary Sessions
Parallel Session 1: Development for Peace: Economic Integration & Sustainable Development in Africa
Description The realization of sustainable peace requires a concomitant achievement of prosperity. All-inclusive development and prosperity have been considered by many as key to the realization of peace. This theme focuses on the critical nexus between economic integration, sustainable development and peace and stability in Africa. Economic integration involves creating policies and frameworks that encourage trade, investment, and cooperation among African nations. This integration aims to reduce barriers, such as tariffs and border restrictions, to facilitate the free movement of goods, services, and people. By combining economic integration with sustainable development, African countries can work towards reducing poverty, increasing employment opportunities, and achieving long-term peace and stability. This approach not only boosts economic resilience but also fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose among nations, contributing to a more prosperous and peaceful continent.
  Objectives
 
  • Explore and promote policies and strategies that facilitate economic cooperation and integration among African nations, boosting trade, investment, and economic growth.
  • Identify and advocate for sustainable development practices that ensure longterm economic, social, and environmental benefits across various sectors.
  • Examine how economic integration and sustainable development can contribute to peace and stability, reducing conflicts and enhancing social cohesion.
  • Encourage partnerships between governments, the private sector, and civil society in achieving the goals of economic integration and sustainable development.
  Sub-themes
 
  • Trade and Investment with a focus on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
  • Infrastructure Development
  • Governance and Policy Frameworks:
Parallel Session 2: Indigenous Knowledge /Institutions for Peacebuilding
Description Traditional conflict resolution mechanisms, often described as indigenous or endogenous, play a crucial role in conflict prevention and peacebuilding. These systems, deeply rooted in the cultural and historical contexts of diverse societies, offer valuable alternatives for resolving disputes peacefully. This sub-theme explores the evolution, nature, and contemporary relevance of traditional conflict resolution methods. It delves into how these mechanisms have adapted over time, maintaining their effectiveness amidst changing social dynamics. The examination includes their capacity to address complex conflicts, reflecting on how these methods navigate the intricacies of social, economic, and political issues. Additionally, this sub-theme investigates the interaction between traditional and modern conflict resolution approaches. It looks at how traditional systems are integrated with contemporary methods, examining the benefits and challenges of such integration. By understanding the strengths and limitations of traditional mechanisms in the context of modern conflict resolution practices, this discussion aims to highlight their continued importance and potential for enhancing peacebuilding efforts.
  Objectives
 
  • Highlight indigenous knowledge systems and their relevance to peacebuilding in the context of Africa
  • Explore ways to integrate traditional conflict resolution and peacebuilding practices into contemporary legal frameworks.
  • Shadelight on the role of indigenous institutions in maintaining peace and order, and to discuss strategies for their empowerment and support.
  • Exchange best practices, successful cases for conflict resolution through IK systems and structures
  • equip participants with practical tools and strategies for incorporating indigenous knowledge into their peacebuilding initiatives.
  Sub-themes
 
  • The Concept, theory and Philosophy of IK
  • Policy and Legal Frameworks
  • Case Studies and Best Practices
  • Empowerment and Advocacy