The Programmes Department of ACCORD is the practice-oriented or operational section of the institution and comprises of individual programmes, projects and new initiatives. Whereas the Interventions Department focuses on strategic analysis and intervenes in conflicts and the Knowledge Production Department documents lessons learned from practice and experiences from the field, the Programmes Department implements training, capacity-building and policy development initiatives.

The Programmes Department is intended to meet the needs identified by the Interventions and Knowledge Production Departments through the various programmes, which are aligned to the conflict spectrum i.e. prevention, peacemaking, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction/peacebuilding. Thus, the Department works with a cross-section of stakeholders from government officials, civil society, NGOs, peacekeepers and humanitarian actors to institutions such as the UN, African Union, and RECs to contribute towards mitigating conflict in Africa.

Summary of theoretical approach

The standard international reaction to conflict was modelled on the pillars of the conflict spectrum from prevention and peacemaking to peacekeeping, peace enforcement, where necessary, and then post-conflict reconstruction followed by the rebuilding and reconciliation phase to address the roots causes of the conflict. The conflict spectrum has, over the years, been developed as a linear model for responding to conflict globally. With major historical and political shifts over the last decade - the end of the Cold War, the East-West political ideology and the newly formed independent African states for example - have further influenced and impacted upon how we respond to conflict. In a post-Cold war context, the field of conflict management recognizes more and more that the phases of prevention, peacemaking, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction are mutually reinforcing which today reflects a conscious shift to provide a comprehensive approach to peace and security.

Overview or summary of individual programmes.

The Programmes Department comprises of the following:

• Training for Peace in Africa – the Programme works in the field of peacekeeping capacity-building with a focus on the civilian components of peacekeeping, conflict management and civil-military co-ordination. The TfP Programmes is funded by the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• African Peacebuilding Coordination - The Programme is funded by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and seeks to enhance coherence across the peace, security, humanitarian, development and human rights dimensions of African peacebuilding operations.
• Gender Initiative - ACCORD has expressed its commitment to gender equity, and the institution already has a commendable track record in this field. The Gender initiative identifies the scope to improve and maintain this commitment to gender equity in its organisational policy and all programme activities.
• Training Unit - Activities coordinated from the Training Unit still maintain the flagship of ACCORD – conflict management training. The activities are periodic but assist with imparting conflict management skills and best practices in negotiation, mediation and facilitation.