key activities carried out during 2024-2025
1. SUPPORT TO INCLUSIVE DIALOGUE AND PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN AND YOUTH IN ELECTORAL PROCESSESIN SOUTH SUDAN
AIPDN Diplomacy, Negotiation and Mediation Training IGAD-AIPDN Roundtable, Juba, South Sudan-Members of Parliament, South Sudan
Recognizing the importance of intergenerational dialogue, the project acknowledges the wisdom and experience that older generations bring to the political discourse.
Simultaneously, it underscores the significance of youth and women’s active involvement, as their perspectives are integral to building an inclusive and representative democratic society.
Inclusivity, in the context of age and gender, is fundamental for a robust and holistic democratic process. Beyond the electoral period, the project aims to leave a lasting legacy by empowering the youth and women as agents of positive change in their communities.
Through capacity-building initiatives, the project seeks to equip young leaders with the skills necessary for community development, conflict resolution, and sustained civic engagement. The project has received the support from Hon. Aya Benjamin Libo Warille, Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Members of Parliament (women and youth caucuses) and leaders.
It is a collaborative effort with IGAD PAP/MSU and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI). The project is on-going, and we are currently in the stage of the development of a training manual which will be used to training youth and women throughout the country.
2. WORKINGS OF POLITICIANS AND JOURNALISTS IN SUPPORT OF REDUCTION OF TENSIONS IN AFRICAN SOCIETIES ROUNDTABLE, 10th-12th JUNE 2024, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
IGAD PAP/MSU in collaboration with AIPDN organised a regional roundtable with participants from the member states of IGAD. The technical support was provided by AIPDN. Below are some of the observations, outcomes and recommendations:
- At the regional level, i.e. IGAD, capacity for news sharing must be strengthened. Strengthen the infrastructure and systems for sharing news within IGAD-member countries to improve information dissemination and cooperation.
- Fact-checking should be championed at all levels. Promote and prioritize fact-checking practices across all media to ensure the accuracy and reliability of information.
- Fact-checking should be championed at all levels. Promote and prioritize fact-checking practices across all media to ensure the accuracy and reliability of information.
- Regulatory frameworks should be strengthened. Fortify existing regulatory frameworks to better manage the complexities of social media and its impacts.
- Transparency on the part of governments leads to de-escalation of tension and builds trust. Government transparency is crucial for reducing tensions and building public trust, especially in times of crisis.
- Ethical-based strategy which importantly intersects with public trust. Develop and implement strategies grounded in ethics to foster and maintain public trust in both media and governance.
- Respect and professionalism are essential, and politicians and media should perform their respective roles to the best of their abilities. Collaboration between the two can be detrimental to the public since one is meant to hold the other accountable. The media is supposed to expose what’s wrong with our politics
- A collaboration framework should be established between media and politics. Access to information is critical for journalists.
- There should be protocols on social media to prevent individuals from raising tensions between communities.
- Collaborative coexistence is critical, particularly regarding social media. Social media is a double-edged sword: it employs our young generation and is a great tool for advocacy, but it also poses significant threats in terms of spreading misinformation. We need to create a working framework, such as IGAD’s efforts over the past two to three years to curb violent conflict fuelled by misinformation.
- Mechanisms should be in place for the media to operate freely while adhering to rules and standards. National media associations are a critical mechanism. We should strengthen these associations within caucuses to address capacity gaps, promote cooperation and collaboration, and enable them to hold each other accountable. Politicians are not permanent, but they are responsible for policymaking, so their collaboration is critical.
- Digital media must be regulated more comprehensively.
- Promote inclusivity among activists, media, and politicians. Fight for access to services such as training.
- Leaders should act as exemplars. IGAD can do more in partnering with members of parliaments, particularly those representing border communities, to reduce resource-based conflict. Bringing together members of the media landscape and other key stakeholders can help reduce tensions.
- Conduct further and more comprehensive research involving rural and border communities. Engage civil society and invest in media. Establish monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to oversee the implementation of agreements.
- Organize capacity-building initiatives for both media and politicians to enhance their cooperation in de-escalating tensions.
3. DIPLOMACY, MEDIATION AND NEGOTIATION TRAINING
Diplomacy, Negotiation and Mediation Training, November 2024, Nairobi, Kenya
Since June 2024, over 120 participants have completed the series of courses and they include Members of Parliament, Elders, Senior Military Officers, Religious Leaders and Community Leaders from Kenya, Uganda, Somalia and South Sudan.
This is a unique course that equips participants with the necessary skills in diplomacy, negotiation, and mediation to effectively carry out their duties. The successful participants were awarded professional certificates in Diplomacy, Negotiation and Mediation and a Professional Mediation Certificate. The course enables participants to pursue career opportunities as court annexed mediators and International mediators