3.02.2020 – Juba (South Sudan): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Mediation Support Unit (MSU) is conducting Training of Trainers Workshop for women from Sudan’s Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile regions –with the aim of equipping this group with skills and knowledge on preventive diplomacy and mediation.
The training is a platform for the participants to share their experiences and lessons learned, be able to participate and engage in the on-going peace process as well be able reach out to more women at community level thus strengthening the multiplier effect
The 3-day training will enhance mediation, negotiation and conflict resolution capacities of Sudanese women from conflict zones to strengthen and capacitate networks of trained women peace builders and mediators.
Through the training the participants will be able to recognize and respond to the characteristics, strategies, tactics and behaviours of negotiating parties in mediation and negotiation processes as well as apply these tools to their particular cases.
During the opening, the A.g. Director of the MSU Dr Aleu Garang applauded the women for the important and key roles they play in society as mothers, wives, leaders, employees hence noting their influence in society and how the skills and techniques being provided can be applied in towards regional peace and integration.
“Mediation should engage and include all stakeholders like women, youth, CSOs and so on in order to have sustainable and lasting peace in the IGAD region” Dr. Garang went on to emphasize.
The goal for the regional trainings is to establish a pool of trained women who can educate, train and provide assistance on matters conflict prevention and mediation at the local level thereby increasing the multiplier effect and have a ground to promote more inclusion and representation in peace and democratic processes.
The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) are undertaking the facilitation and training for the women, collaboration with IGAD MSU started far back in 2017 to enhance understanding and improve skills in peace negotiation and mediation processes in the IGAD region.
The workshop being attended by over 35 participants is being funded by the European Union Trust Fund (EUTF) through IPPSHAR Programme being implemented by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA).
