DOCSLIB.ORG

Transforming Africa's Fighters Into Builders

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Transforming Africa's Fighters Into Builders Formerly ‘Africa Recovery’ United Nations Department of Public Information Vol. 19 No. 3 October 2005 Bilderberg / Hans Madej Reintegration of ex-combatants Also inside Niger: a famine When war ends: transforming foretold page 3 Africa and the Africa’s fighters into builders World Summit By Ernest Harsch, Freetown and Monrovia page 4 aja Sheriff wants to be a farmer. Like several hundred other former soldiers at the G-8 writes off Duport Road agricultural training site on the edge of Monrovia, Liberia’s capital, some H she hopes to get a piece of land on which she can grow rice and vegetables and African debt possibly raise goats, chickens or pigs. page 8 Just a couple of years ago, Ms. Sheriff was a volunteer with a pro-government Labour remittances: militia during the country’s recent civil war, she told Africa Renewal. But now she is development boon learning new skills alongside the former rebels she once fought. A beneficiary of the page 10 disarmament and demobilization operation carried out by the UN Mission in Liberia see page 14 United Nations Vol. 19 No. 3 October 2005 FRI UE ENOUVEAU contentsCover article Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants Former fighters When war ends: surrendering transforming Africa’s weapons and ammunition ........... 1 fighters into builders to UN peacekeeping Women: Africa’s mission in Burundi. ignored combatants.......... 17 Also in this Issue UN / Martine Perret Niger: a famine foretold .......................... .3 What the World Summit means for Africa........... .4 Translate words into action, Africans demand....... .5 UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan: ‘Grasp the opportunity’ for Africa ..................... .6 Departments Industrial countries write off Africa’s debt .......... .8 Agenda ......................... .22 Workers’ remittances: a boon to development ..... .10 Books .......................... .22 NEPAD MONITOR: Briefs ........................... .23 Enlisting business support for Africa’s MDGs ...... .21 Watch .......................... .24 Africa Renewal is published in English and French by the Strategic Communications Division Editor-in-Chief of the United Nations Department of Public Information, with support from UNDP, UNICEF Julie I. Thompson and UNIFEM. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or the publication’s supporting organizations. Material from this magazine may be freely Managing Editor Writers Ernest Harsch Gumisai Mutume reproduced, with attribution, and a clipping would be appreciated. Michael Fleshman Correspondence should be addressed to: The Editor, Africa Renewal Research Assistant Production Room S-955, United Nations, NY 10017 USA Marian Aggrey Parvati McPheeters Tel: (212) 963-6857 Fax: (212) 963-4556 e-mail: [email protected] Administrative Assistant Distribution Shelly Edelsburg Atar Markman Subscribe to Africa Renewal Annual subscriptions are available to individuals for $20 and to institutions for $35. Visit our website: Please send an international money order or make cheques payable in US dollars, drawn on a US bank, to the “United Nations” and send to Circulation at the address shown above. www.un.org/AR For those who lack the means to pay the subscription fee, a limited number of Features include complimentary subscriptions are available. Please send a clearly written application to the editor. • New releases • Subject index • Search Africa Renewal is printed on recycled paper. Niger: a famine foretold Early UN appeals met only a belated reaction from donors By Michael Fleshman slipping into crisis as early as November he seasonal rains returned to southern 2004, following a poor harvest due to Niger in June, coaxing the green millet drought and locusts. The following month T stalks from the dry earth and signal- the government of Niger issued an emer- ling an end, hopefully, to a food shortage gency appeal for over 78,000 metric that has left some 2.4 million Nigeriens tonnes of food aid, with the support of the — including 800,000 children — vulner- UN World Food Programme (WFP). That able to malnutrition. International relief appeal, and the ones that followed, noted workers have also started to arrive to the head of UN humanitarian operations, distribute the emergency rations needed Under-Secretary General Jan Egeland, UN / Evan Schneider until the harvest is in. were met by a “near-deafening silence.” But neither the millet nor the aid came The efforts of the UN and other relief soon enough for Fassoma Abdoulsalam. groups to alert the world to Niger’s The one-year-old died on 10 August, one impending crisis were numerous (see of some two dozen children to succumb chronology below). to malnutrition in the village of Birgi But only in mid-July, after the UK’s before they become crises. Currently, the Dangotcho in the hard-hit Zinder region. BBC broadcast images provided by the WFP and other agencies may borrow It was not an uncommon tragedy in a UN of dying Nigerien children, did donors only limited funds from the UN emer- country where malnutrition, child mor- finally begin responding. WFP received gency fund or other operations for rapid tality and poverty rates are high even more pledges in the 10 days following the responses — and then only if they have in good times. What distinguished her broadcast than it had in the eight previous received donor pledges of repayment. death was that the world knew it was months. “The fact that the world can be “Imagine if your local fire department coming almost from the moment of her moved only by the images of graphic suf- had to petition the mayor for money every birth, yet failed to prevent it. fering is nothing to celebrate,” lamented time it needed water to douse a raging fire,” WFP Executive Director James Morris. Mr. Egeland remarked. “That’s the predic- ‘Deafening silence’ “Many of the children who featured in the ament faced by anguished humanitarian Experts place part of the problem with news reports are already beyond help.” aid workers when they seek to save lives the localized nature of the food shortages, but have no funds to pay for the water — or which drove up regional food prices and Fixing an ‘irrational’ system medicine, shelter or food — needed to put led the government, the UN and relief In the view of many observers, the pre- out a fire.… These delays are deadly.” groups to view the situation as one of ventable deaths and suffering in Niger To speed lifesaving responses, Mr. Annan chronic poverty and distorted grain mar- underscore the need for fundamental has proposed a tenfold increase, to $500 mn, kets instead of as an emergency. The non- reform of the headline-driven global emer- in the UN emergency fund. He has also governmental Médecins sans frontières gency response system — a system MSF called for greater international efforts to com- (MSF) criticized the UN for coming too Executive Director Nicolas de Torrente bat the long-term causes of hunger. With over late, with too little, and for failing to sound recently denounced as “completely irra- 4 million people in Africa’s Sahel region in the alarm soon enough. tional.” Most proposals call for an emer- need of food aid and over 10 million people But in fact, the UN and other monitors gency fund large enough to permit imme- now at risk in Southern Africa, the needs of began reporting that southern Niger was diate responses to humanitarian situations the hungry cannot wait. n Numerous alarms over Niger’s developing famine March 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 The U.S.-based WFP reports WFP launches UN and With government and WFP The WFP describes the UN agencies issue a new Famine Early Warning in detail on an emergency government food stocks dwindling, the situation in Niger as appeal for $30 mn in System declares that Niger’s food feeding agencies in UN issues a “ash” emergency “very dire.” WFP Executive emergency aid for 1.2 million Niger requires requirements. programme Niger appeal appeal for $16.1 mn. But Director James Morris Nigeriens, but initial pledges “urgent attention.” for 400,000 for $7 mn only Luxembourg pledges reports to the UN Security reach only $10 mn. UN A UN assessment people. at a donor’s $320,000. Mr. Egeland warns Council that only 11 per Secretary-General Ko Annan reports 3 million conference. that 150,000 children face cent of required funding visits Niger to highlight the people at risk. imminent death. has been received. need for urgent action. OCTOBER 2005 3 What the World Summit means for Africa Commitments on aid, debt relief and MDGs are reaffirmed ince early in the year, many in this happen — just a follow-through on strengthened so that relief aid arrives Africa had been looking forward existing ones.” more quickly and reliably when famine S to the 2005 World Summit in New or other disasters occur. York, anticipating decisions that could Promises ‘locked in’ The document also included a clear greatly influence their continent’s future. During the intense negotiations that pre- and unambiguous acceptance by all gov- The 14-16 September gathering lived up ceded the World Summit, some delega- ernments of an international responsibil- to some of those expectations. Yet many tions objected to aspects of the sweeping ity to protect populations from geno- of the 43 participating African leaders reform proposals that Mr. Annan had cide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and went back home with a sense that much advanced. Discussions on overhauling crimes against humanity. When peaceful more should have been achieved. the Security Council, for example, were means fail to prevent such acts, govern- Africa recognizes that it bears the postponed. The US initially suggested, ments have pledged “to take collective primary responsibility for its own devel- among other points, that references to action, in a timely and decisive manner,” opment, Nigerian President Olusegun the MDGs and to specific targets for to authorize forceful measures by the Obasanjo told the summit on behalf of aid increases be eliminated from the Security Council.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Of the United Nations Mission in the DRC / MONUC – MONUSCO
    Assessing the of the United Nations Mission in the DRC / MONUC – MONUSCO REPORT 3/2019 Publisher: Norwegian Institute of International Affairs Copyright: © Norwegian Institute of International Affairs 2019 ISBN: 978-82-7002-346-2 Any views expressed in this publication are those of the author. Tey should not be interpreted as reflecting the views of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. Te text may not be re-published in part or in full without the permission of NUPI and the authors. Visiting address: C.J. Hambros plass 2d Address: P.O. Box 8159 Dep. NO-0033 Oslo, Norway Internet: effectivepeaceops.net | www.nupi.no E-mail: [email protected] Fax: [+ 47] 22 99 40 50 Tel: [+ 47] 22 99 40 00 Assessing the Efectiveness of the UN Missions in the DRC (MONUC-MONUSCO) Lead Author Dr Alexandra Novosseloff, International Peace Institute (IPI), New York and Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), Oslo Co-authors Dr Adriana Erthal Abdenur, Igarapé Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Prof. Tomas Mandrup, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, and Royal Danish Defence College, Copenhagen Aaron Pangburn, Social Science Research Council (SSRC), New York Data Contributors Ryan Rappa and Paul von Chamier, Center on International Cooperation (CIC), New York University, New York EPON Series Editor Dr Cedric de Coning, NUPI External Reference Group Dr Tatiana Carayannis, SSRC, New York Lisa Sharland, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Canberra Dr Charles Hunt, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University, Australia Adam Day, Centre for Policy Research, UN University, New York Cover photo: UN Photo/Sylvain Liechti UN Photo/ Abel Kavanagh Contents Acknowledgements 5 Acronyms 7 Executive Summary 13 Te effectiveness of the UN Missions in the DRC across eight critical dimensions 14 Strategic and Operational Impact of the UN Missions in the DRC 18 Constraints and Challenges of the UN Missions in the DRC 18 Current Dilemmas 19 Introduction 21 Section 1.
    [Show full text]
  • E Story of UNMIL
    e story of UNMIL United Nations Mission in Liberia >>Return to table of contents<< >>Return to table of contents<< The story of UNMIL >>Return to table of contents<< Dedication This book is dedicated, first and foremost, to the people of Liberia, whose resilience and determination have lifted their country from the ashes of war to attain 14 years of peace. It is also dedicated to all United Nations personnel who have worked in Liberia since 2003, and those colleagues who lost their lives while serving with UNMIL--all of whom made invaluable sacrifices, leaving behind their families and loved ones to help consolidate and support the peace that Liberians enjoy today. The flags of the United Nations and Liberia fly side by side at the UNMIL Headquarters in Monrovia, Liberia. Photo: Staton Winter | UNMIL | 13 May 11 >>Return to table of contents<< Table of Contents Dedication ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations (2016-) .....................................................................................6 Preface ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 His Excellency Mr. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia (2018-) .....................................................8
    [Show full text]
  • Drugs, the State and Society in West Africa
    NOT JUST IN TRANSIT Drugs, the State and Society in West Africa An Independent Report of the West Africa Commission on Drugs June 2014 ABOUT THE COMMISSION Deeply concerned by the growing threats of drug trafficking and consumption in West Africa, Kofi Annan, Chair of the Kofi Annan Foundation and former Secretary-General of the United Nations, convened the West Africa Commission on Drugs (WACD) in January 2013. The Commission’s objectives are to mobilise public awareness and political commitment around the challenges posed by drug trafficking; develop evidence- based policy recommendations; and promote regional and local capacity and ownership to manage these challenges. Chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, the Commission comprises a diverse group of West Africans from the worlds of politics, civil society, health, security and the judiciary. The Commission is an independent body and can therefore speak with impartiality and directness. This report is the culmination of one and a half years of engagement by the Commission with national, regional and international parties including the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). It is informed by a series of background papers, drafted by leading experts from Africa and beyond.1 Olusegun Obasanjo (Chair) (Nigeria) Former President of Nigeria Dr. Idrissa Ba Justice Bankole- Dr. Mary Chinery- Dr. Alpha Abdoulaye Christine Kafando (Senegal) Thompson Hesse Diallo (Burkina Faso) Child psychiatrist and (Sierra Leone) (Ghana) (Guinea) Founder, Association addictologist, Psychiatric Former Judge on the Member of the African National Coordinator, Espoir pour Demain Hospital of Thiaroye, Special Court for Sierra Union Panel of the Wise Réseau Afrique Dakar Leone Jeunesse Edem Kodjo Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessing the Effectiveness of the United Nations Mission
    Assessing the of the United Nations Mission in the DRC / MONUC – MONUSCO Publisher: Norwegian Institute of International Affairs Copyright: © Norwegian Institute of International Affairs 2019 ISBN: 978-82-7002-346-2 Any views expressed in this publication are those of the author. They should not be interpreted as reflecting the views of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. The text may not be re-published in part or in full without the permission of NUPI and the authors. Visiting address: C.J. Hambros plass 2d Address: P.O. Box 8159 Dep. NO-0033 Oslo, Norway Internet: effectivepeaceops.net | www.nupi.no E-mail: [email protected] Fax: [+ 47] 22 99 40 50 Tel: [+ 47] 22 99 40 00 Assessing the Effectiveness of the UN Missions in the DRC (MONUC-MONUSCO) Lead Author Dr Alexandra Novosseloff, International Peace Institute (IPI), New York and Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), Oslo Co-authors Dr Adriana Erthal Abdenur, Igarapé Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Prof. Thomas Mandrup, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, and Royal Danish Defence College, Copenhagen Aaron Pangburn, Social Science Research Council (SSRC), New York Data Contributors Paul von Chamier, Center on International Cooperation (CIC), New York University, New York EPON Series Editor Dr Cedric de Coning, NUPI External Reference Group Dr Tatiana Carayannis, SSRC, New York Lisa Sharland, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Canberra Dr Charles Hunt, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University, Australia Adam Day, Centre for Policy Research, UN University, New York Cover photo: UN Photo/Sylvain Liechti UN Photo/ Abel Kavanagh Contents Acknowledgements 5 Acronyms 7 Executive Summary 13 The effectiveness of the UN Missions in the DRC across eight critical dimensions 14 Strategic and Operational Impact of the UN Missions in the DRC 18 Constraints and Challenges of the UN Missions in the DRC 18 Current Dilemmas 19 Introduction 21 Section 1.
    [Show full text]
  • SCSL Press Clippings
    SPECIAL COURT FOR SIERRA LEONE PRESS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE Jomo Kenyatta Road, looking toward Pademba Road, near the Special Court. PRESS CLIPPINGS Enclosed are clippings of local and international press on the Special Court and related issues obtained by the Press and Public Affairs Office as at: Friday, 25 August 2006 Press clips are produced Monday through Friday. Any omission, comment or suggestion, please contact Martin Royston-Wright Ext 7217 2 Local News The Police and the Judiciary / Spectator Page 3 Law Reform Assures Public / New Citizen Page 4 International News UNMIL Public Information Office Media Summary / UNMIL Pages 5-7 Cote d’Ivoire: UN says elections likely to be postponed / IRIN Pages 8-9 3 Spectator Friday, 25 August 2006 4 New Citizen Friday, 25 August 2006 5 United Nations Nations Unies United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) UNMIL Public Information Office Media Summary 24 August 2006 [The media summaries and press clips do not necessarily represent the views of UNMIL.] International Clips on Liberia UN mission in Liberia records 24 cases of sexual exploitation MONROVIA, Aug 23, 2006 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- The United Nations Mission in Liberia has disclosed here on Wednesday that it has recorded 24 cases of "sexual exploitation" this year. UN special envoy Alan Doss said there were four reports of rape, 16 reports of sexual exploitation and four reports involving sexual abuse of minors. "All cases are under investigation and we encourage the public to report such cases to us," Doss said. But he advised against general allegations and called for specifics and facts.
    [Show full text]
  • UN Peacekeeping, Civilian Protection, and the Use of Force
    Research Series 4 Great Expectations: UN Peacekeeping, Civilian Protection, and the Use of Force Alan Doss GCSP Geneva Papers — Research Series n°4 1 The opinions and views expressed in this document do not necessarily reflect the position of the Swiss authorities or the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. Copyright © Geneva Centre for Security Policy, 2011 Great Expectations: UN Peacekeeping, Civilian Protection, and the Use of Force Alan Doss GCSP Geneva Papers — Research Series n° 4, December 2011 The Geneva Centre for Security Policy The Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) is an international training centre for security policy based in Geneva. An international foundation with over forty member states, it offers courses for civil servants, diplomats and military officers from all over the world. Through research, workshops and conferences it pro- vides an internationally recognized forum for dialogue on timely issues relating to security and peace. The Geneva Papers and l’Esprit de Genève With its vocation for peace, Geneva is the city where international organizations, NGOs, and the academic community, working together, have the possibility of creating the essential conditions for debate and concrete action. The Geneva Pa- pers intend to serve the same goal by promoting a platform for constructive and substantive dialogue. Geneva Papers – Research Series The Geneva Papers – Research Series is a new set of publications offered by the GCSP. It complements the Geneva Papers – Conference Series that was launched in 2008, whose purpose is to reflect on the main issues and debates of an event organized by the GCSP. The Geneva Papers – Research Series seeks to analyse international security issues through an approach that combines policy analysis and academic rigor.
    [Show full text]
  • UN at 70 – Prelims
    Broken Chair Monument, Palais des Nations, Geneva A symbol of interdependence: Development cooperation, humanitarian action, peace and security and human rights This wooden sculpture is by the Swiss artist Daniel Berset and was constructed by the carpenter Louis Genève from a project by Paul Vermeulen, co-founder and director of Handicap International Suisse. Situated near the entrance to the Palais des Nations in Geneva, this monumental giant chair with one broken leg symbolises opposition to land mines and cluster bombs and is intended as thought-piece for politicians and other visitors. Standing 39 feet high and weighing 5.5 tons it was erected in 1997 and dedicated to support the signature of an international treaty on a ban on cluster bombs in 2008 (the Convention on Cluster Munitions). This Evidence Report reinterprets the meaning of the sculpture to illustrate some of the key themes of the UN at 70 Witness Seminar programme, to show: ● The interdependence of the four key pillars of UN support: development cooperation, humanitarian action, peace and security and human rights; ● The principle that these themes should be integrated together, and not considered as independent ‘silos’: if one or more themes are not adequately addressed, the total impact of UN support, norms and standards are weakened; ● The UN is uniquely placed to provide legitimacy, standards, norms and goals to address international challenges in all four areas. i Acknowledgements The Editors would like to thank the following for their many and varied contributions
    [Show full text]
  • In & Around the UN, Jun 2008
    In & Around the UN A Publication of the Quaker United Nations Office Continuing Challenges in Iraq June 2008 raqis and the international community are such a process seems daunting. Iworking hard to bring peace to Iraq, yet for - In this difficult context, the UN Security midable challenges remain. On the ground, Council passed Resolution 1770 in August the US-led Multinational Force-Iraq (MNF-I), 2007. This resolution expanded the UN Iraqi army, Sunni and Shia militias, and pri - Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), man - vate security contractors struggle to assert con - dated to support efforts at national reconcilia - trol, and the country lacks basic rule of law. tion in the country, and to provide humanitar - The government remains deeply divided and ian assistance to vulnerable populations. struggles to provide basic services. Iraqi While striving to expand its role, the UN Democratic Republic refugees are the third-largest refugee popula - faces significant practical challenges. For one of Congo 2 tion in the world, likely numbering more than thing, its presence in the country must contend 2 million, while another 2 million people are with a legacy that includes a harsh sanctions UN Forum on displaced inside the country. There are great regime, the Oil-for-Food scandal, a difficult Indigenous Issues 3 needs for food and shelter among the internal - battle over authorization of the American-led ly displaced and what humanitarian assistance invasion, and the bombing of the UN office in UN Peacebuilding is reaching the population is often politicized. Baghdad. Some of these events have damaged Commission 4 Many agree that a national reconciliation process is desperately needed, but carrying out (continued on page 7) Northern Uganda: Juba Peace Talks 5 Postcard from China New QUNO Director 7 By Andrew Tomlinson ow have I managed to make it to “H ripe middle age knowing so little about the history and culture of a quarter of the world’s population?” This was the ques - tion that hit me half way through my trip to China in April.
    [Show full text]
  • Great Expectations: UN Peacekeeping, Civilian Protection, and the Use of Force
    Research Series 4 Great Expectations: UN Peacekeeping, Civilian Protection, and the Use of Force Alan Doss GCSP Geneva Papers — Research Series n°4 1 The opinions and views expressed in this document do not necessarily reflect the position of the Swiss authorities or the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. Copyright © Geneva Centre for Security Policy, 2011 Great Expectations: UN Peacekeeping, Civilian Protection, and the Use of Force Alan Doss GCSP Geneva Papers — Research Series n° 4, December 2011 The Geneva Centre for Security Policy The Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) is an international training centre for security policy based in Geneva. An international foundation with over forty member states, it offers courses for civil servants, diplomats and military officers from all over the world. Through research, workshops and conferences it pro- vides an internationally recognized forum for dialogue on timely issues relating to security and peace. The Geneva Papers and l’Esprit de Genève With its vocation for peace, Geneva is the city where international organizations, NGOs, and the academic community, working together, have the possibility of creating the essential conditions for debate and concrete action. The Geneva Pa- pers intend to serve the same goal by promoting a platform for constructive and substantive dialogue. Geneva Papers – Research Series The Geneva Papers – Research Series is a new set of publications offered by the GCSP. It complements the Geneva Papers – Conference Series that was launched in 2008, whose purpose is to reflect on the main issues and debates of an event organized by the GCSP. The Geneva Papers – Research Series seeks to analyse international security issues through an approach that combines policy analysis and academic rigor.
    [Show full text]
  • In the Democratic Republic of the Congo by Adam Day
    Case Study 1 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by Adam Day 22 This case study was developed to inform The Political Practice of Peacekeeping by Adam Day, Aditi Gorur, Victoria K. Holt and Charles T. Hunt - a policy paper exploring how the UN develops and implements political strategies to address some of the most complex and dangerous conflicts in the world. The other case studies examine the political strategies of the UN peacekeeping missions in the the Central African Republic, Darfur, South Sudan and Mali. Adam Day is Director of Programmes at United Nations University Centre for Policy Research. In 2016, the author served as the Senior Political Advisor to MONUSCO, based in Kinshasa. The author is grateful to Alan Doss and Ugo Solinas for having reviewed this study. The views expressed in this report are not those of MONUSCO, any errors are the author’s. nitially deployed in the midst of the in which the Security Council’s mandates Second Congolese War in 1999, the during these watershed moments were I UN peacekeeping mission in the translated into political strategies and/ Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) or approaches by the UN Secretariat and is one of the longest serving missions mission leadership. This report contributes in the UN today. Over the course of its to a joint United Nations University/ deployment, the mission has undergone Stimson Center research project on the dramatic changes, beginning as a small political role of UN peacekeeping, in ceasefire observer mission and eventually support of the Action for Peacekeeping swelling into a large multi-dimensional initiative by the UN’s Department of Peace presence with an ambitious electoral Operations (DPO).
    [Show full text]
  • Unarmed Civilian Peacekeeping
    UNARMED CIVILIAN PEACEKEEPING: HAS ITS TIME COME? Briefing and Dialogue Hosted by the Missions of Belgium, Benin, Costa Rica and The Philippines Palais des Nations, Geneva, 20 September 2012 Aide-Memoire prepared by Nonviolent Peaceforce and UNITAR 1 2 Background On 20 September 2012, the eve of the International Day of Peace, the Permanent Missions to the UN of Belgium, Benin, Costa Rica and the Philippines in Geneva hosted a Briefing and Dialogue entitled Unarmed Civilian Peacekeeping: Has Its Time Come? This event was co-organized by United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) and Manchester University Humanitarian & Conflict Response Institute. This meeting was a continuation of a conversation that had begun in New York on 23 March 2012 under the title Broadening the Concept of Peacekeeping: The Contribution of Civil Society to Unarmed Protection of Civilians that was co- sponsored by the same four Permanent Missions in New York. The event was held in the Palais des Nations, the home the United Nations Office at Geneva, with representatives of permanent missions, nongovernmental organizations, academic institutions, and civil society in attendance. This present Aide-Memoire was prepared by UNITAR and Nonviolent Peaceforce to offer a summary of the presentations and responses at that meeting. It is intended to serve as an input for further discussion on unarmed civilian peacekeeping. Welcome and Introduction Ambassador Manuel Dengo, Permanent Representative of the Mission of the Republic of Costa Rica, opened the event. Here follow some of his remarks: The participation of unarmed civilians in peacekeeping has existed in most conflict situations at different times.
    [Show full text]
  • 2016 Annual Report of the Kofi Annan
    THE KOFI ANNAN FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2016 COALITIONS FOR CHANGE photo: Adam Scotti/One Young World CONTENT 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 TABLE OF WORDS OF WELCOME 3 OVERVIEW BY ALAN DOSS 5 MAP OF ACTIVITIES IN 2016 7 COMBATTING HUNGER 11 MEDIATION AND CRISIS RESOLUTION 15 PROMOTING YOUTH LEADERSHIP 19 BUILDING LASTING PEACE 25 SUPPORTING DEMOCRACY AND ELECTIONS WITH INTEGRITY 29 CHANGING DRUG POLICY 35 BEHIND THE SCENES 39 CONTENTS 3 WORDS OF WELCOME WORDS OF WELCOME 4 LEADERSHIP AND POLITICAL WILL: THESE ARE THE TWO INDISPENSABLE INGREDIENTS OF PROGRESS. They are crucial if we are to successfully over- come the most intractable threats to peace, development and human rights that confront us today and in tomorrow’s world. But mobi- lising leadership to achieve political change is much more than just engaging with political leaders and parties, important though that may be. We should remember that leaders can This report shows how our Foundation is be found in all communities, in all corners of teaming up with young people to surmount society, and in every country. Young people, for one of the most critical problems of our times instance, may not move in the highest circles of – the threat of extremist violence. Without government, but they share the experiences of mobilising political will, we will fail to meet the their peers, speak their language and engage challenges of our times. This begins with on the same social platforms. Working with identifying the right leaders who can make a young leaders can often be more effective in difference in their particular field.
    [Show full text]