"When the future calls, we answer because we were born ready. We are defying barriers, bursting through ceilings, and charting a course not walked on by those before us. We are the generation that brings justice, accountability, and grace. We are who the world has been waiting for." - NyaPassi Early December 2023, I sat in a room where high-level conversations about the future of academia in Africa were held. This was the Academic Conference on Africa hosted by the UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa at the #UNHQ. I left the meeting with so much to contemplate. After mulling over my thoughts, I wrote a reflection piece titled 'The Collective African Bargain: How Emerging Leaders Can Change Narratives About the African Continent.' I shared my considerations and possible course of action for African youth. I recommended that young Africans use their platforms and research to take charge in changing the narratives about our beloved continent- to be #Afrocentric through pedagogy. Because great minds think alike, my colleague Benjamin Ogbonna reached out after reading my piece to say he was thinking along the same lines as my recommendations. After our conversation, we decided to take action and engage African youth in developing knowledge products through policy-oriented research. The aim is to contribute to policy and academic dialogue within the continent and internationally. We started a collaborative network to push the agenda of scholarship and research by African youth, moving from rhetoric to action. The National African Student Association provided us with a platform to pursue this goal. Using its network and connections, we called on African youth in universities across the US and Africa to join us in this cause. Many answered. A proud milestone for us and our amazing team is that four African Youths from our network were selected to present the synopsis of their research at the #UNGA79 #SummitoftheFuture as part of the African Youth Voices Initiative led by the UN Office of the Special Advisor on Africa. Please watch a recording of their presentations on various themes. Links below. Global Governance and Financing: https://lnkd.in/gbtzGy2J International Peace and Security: https://lnkd.in/gpQqV-VN Youth and Future Generations: https://lnkd.in/gT-75y27 Link to my article: https://lnkd.in/gr-t5Es7 Together We Can! Kenneth Kungania Amanda Tanui, AFM Yolian Ogbu Bryan Duncan Chukwuebuka Nwafor #AfricanYouthVoices
Deborah Denis’ Post
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Abstract In a world marked by increasing interdependence and complex global challenges, the role of the United Nations (UN) in maintaining international peace and security is paramount. However, the effectiveness of the UN in fulfilling its mandate has often been hampered by deficiencies in its decision-making procedures. This thesis investigates the need for reforming the UN's decision-making processes towards a more deliberative system that fosters inclusivity, transparency, and effectiveness. Drawing on interdisciplinary literature from political science, international relations, and deliberative democracy theory, this study examines the historical evolution of the UN decision-making framework, identifies its current shortcomings, and proposes concrete reforms to enhance its capacity to address contemporary global security challenges. Through a combination of qualitative analysis and empirical case studies, this research aims to contribute to ongoing debates on institutional reform within the UN and advance scholarly understanding of the potential for deliberative democracy principles to strengthen international governance mechanisms. Ultimately, my thesis argues that promoting a deliberative system within the UN is essential for fostering global peace, diplomacy, and security in the twenty-first century. S.L.Riyas
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"In a rapidly deteriorating security situation in Europe, understanding the potential and limitations of different cooperation tools for managing crises has never been more urgent.” Karina Shyrokykh, a Docent in International Relations at Stockholms universitet and a member of FBA’s International Research Working Groups, and Oleksandra Keudel, Ph.D., Associate Professor at the Kyiv School of Economics, examine how Transnational Municipal Cooperation (TMC), typically viewed as a "weak" policy instrument for low-politics matters during peacetime, can be effectively deployed in crisis scenarios to enhance local governance and resilience, potentially transforming our understanding of its utility. Their research, funded by FBA, provides valuable insights for policymakers and communities alike. The ongoing war in Ukraine underscores the urgency of such studies, emphasizing the need for flexible, adaptive tools in the face of unprecedented global challenges. 👉🏽Read more about the new research project: "Crisis governance in a multi-level democracy: transnational municipal cooperation during Russia's full-scale invasion (Crisis-TMC)." 🔗https://bit.ly/4bAW5BH #TransnationalCooperation #Ukraine #Research #Resilience #CrisisManagement
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Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), an international NGO, is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its World Peace Summit under the theme 'Creating World Peace Community through Regional Collaboration'. The event commemorates a decade of commitment to global peace by leaders and citizens across 170 countries. 'We must work together to create a world of peace and leave it as a legacy for future generations,' said Chairman Lee Man-hee of HWPL, emphasizing the role of religions in fostering dialogue and understanding. To further regional cooperation, HWPL formed partnerships with the Group of 7+ (G7+), an intergovernmental organization of conflict-affected countries, and The Latin American Parliament (Parlatino), a high-level political forum promoting development and integration within a framework of democracy. In Timor-Leste, the Ministry of Higher Education and eight institutions partnered with HWPL to introduce peace education. 'I believe that peace education will play a crucial role in helping students grow into future global citizens and in laying the foundation for peace and stability across society,' said Dr. Jose Honorio da Costa Pereira Jeronimo, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture. H.E. Prof. Dr. Emil Constantinescu, the 3rd President of Romania, praised the 2014 HWPL summit's advocacy for international cooperation in peace building, saying, 'An incredible and impressive image proves that the faith in global peace is very much more than a mere initiative.' The peace summit engages social representatives in various countries, with HWPL carrying out peace projects through MOAs or MOUs with 1,014 organizations across 105 countries. #peacesummit #hwpl #globalpeace #regionalcooperation @hwpl_official @g7plus @parlatino
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📢 1 day left from the #REDEMOS_eu 𝗠𝗶𝗱-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲! Stakeholders from the world of politics, diplomacy, academia, civil society and the think tank community will discuss three key questions: 1️⃣ How have wars and conflict been impacting the EU’s eastern neighbourhood’s democratic pathway in recent years? 2️⃣ How is EU democracy support action in the EU’s eastern neighbourhood perceived and what does the EU do to foster its image as a democracy promoter? 3️⃣ How to conceive of the goals and actions of other external actors into the design and activities of EU democracy support in its eastern neighbourhood? 🆘 See the #agenda here https://lnkd.in/d_V4-A2e Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) - University of Surrey - Yerevan State University - Kyiv School of Economics - Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies (Rondeli Foundation) - Technische Universität Dresden - International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS) - IDIS Viitorul - CRRC-Georgia - Athens Technology Center - University of St.Gallen
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Another Article is out. Thanks to Journal of Global Politics and Current Diplomacy Thanks to Mihai Alexandrescu Thanks to my great, intelligent, awesome, admirable and incredible Best Friend Ever Ivan kevin W.. Ivan kevin W. you are special and wonderful. This paper could be profitable to African Union African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) ECOWAS Commission United Nations Peace Operations Training Institute United Nations Peacekeeping African Peace and Security Union (APSU) Title : INVESTIGATING THE EFFICACY OF ECOWAS AND THE AFRICAN UNION IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND PEACEBUILDING IN AFRICA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY Link:
Abraham Ename MINKO
https://journal.centruldedic.ro
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Among other key #UNSC_Reform areas, the #Veto system is one of the most crucial as it continues to cripple the functioning of a multilateral system designed to serve a completely different geopolitical order/scenario. The following proposed reform highlighted by #Amani_Africa policy brief (June 2024) is well reasoned, and has the potential to save the fast decaying multilateral system from clinical death. "Regarding the veto, Africa’s position has been and should remain premised on the principle of equality enunciated in the preamble and Article 2 of the UN Charter. Thus, the joint Namibia and Amani Africa High-Level Panel supports the position advanced in the Report of the Committee of Ten that ‘[o]n the Veto, Africa wants it to be abolished.’ The experience of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the AU highlights that the functioning of the UNSC without the veto is feasible and could be the only pathway for sparing the UNSC from paralysis that has become recurrent and for making it fit for a multipolar world. The Panel further supports the view that ‘[i]f, however, Member States (of the UN) wish to retain the veto, it must be extended to all new Permanent Members.’ This is consistent with the Ezulwini Consensus position that Africa’s demand for two permanent seats is ’with all the rights and prerogatives of current members, including the right of the veto if retained’."
Amani Africa Special Research Report addressing the historical injustice and enhancing Africa’s effective representation in the #UNSC. https://lnkd.in/e4eJyd3G
Africa-and-the-Summit-of-the-Future-Seizing-the-new-window-of-opportunity-for-the-reform-of-the-UN-Security-Council.pdf
amaniafrica-et.org
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The second annual African conference of World BEYOND War, Imagining Africa Beyond War, is scheduled for November 15-16. The conference will expose wars and war-driven factors that prevent the African continent from envisioning sustainable peace. Additionally, it will explore opportunities to picture what Africa beyond war is really like, by showcasing the perspectives of activists in the continent who are challenging the structural causes of wars. This virtual conference on November 15-16 is an opportunity for experience sharing, learning, and inspiration, with the aim of fostering solidarity among peace practitioners around the world who share our vision for a just and peaceful world. More information and registration here: https://lnkd.in/eU2BNfib
Imagine Africa Beyond War: Second World BEYOND War Africa Regional Peace Conference - World BEYOND War
worldbeyondwar.org
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Dear colleagues (#EEAS, #ESDC, #Academia), In the video panel 'War and #Peace: The Future Scenarios for #Europe's #Security', I present some results from my #PhD research, related to the #analysis of the foreign and security policy #strategies of the #EU, #Russia and #Türkiye. I explain how this impacts the conflicts and (in)stability in the #WesternBalkans. My focus is the power competition, misperception, and the incompatible #concept of #power as main drivers of #regional conflicts. This concept includes a number of components (#SixPowerElements), and I specifically underline the #information #access and approach to #societies as such. I show how these results could serve #EU #ConflictPrevention. ( Full video: Please, see the comments below.) The discussion is part of a series of lectures on #Geopolitical Security, with particular focus on the Western Balkans. The participants represent both #governments and #academia. The Summer School is organised by the Institute of Advanced Studies Kőszeg, Hungary. I am grateful to the organisers for the invitation, and to Ms Aneliya Paneva for her support.
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The Pact of the Future and Africa? At an event organised by the UN OSAA and the Institute for Security Studies at the African Union Observer Mission to the UN in New York, we explored the implications of the Pact of the Future for Africa. My contribution was based on the research Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) colleagues and I have undertaken over the years through the Training for Peace in Africa project (TfP) and the Effectiveness of Peace Operations Network (EPON). I focused on three areas: - First, the need to shape and refine Africa’s own approach to PSO, born out of the African context and experience. - Second, learning from this experience to improve the effectiveness of African PSOs, including via the Review of the ASF and strengthening the AU’s ability to undertake multidimensional PSOs, and - Third, the need to shape Africa’s strategic partnerships - including the operationalisation of UNSC Resolution 2719 - without weakening African agency in the process.
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Nature Portfolio Editorial: "Give ‘#science for #peace’ a chance: An initiative from two research (African Academy of Sciences & United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)) organizations to boost the role of science in peace-building in #Africa needs to be supported." "Are more wars inevitable? Why can’t peace be more of a priority? These questions need to be asked, and they make a new initiative called Science 4 Peace Africa (https://lnkd.in/dwKsUtfw) all the more timely." https://lnkd.in/dgaxDhgC
Give ‘science for peace’ a chance
nature.com
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