In collaboration with ACCORD's Burundi office, the organisation's Peacebuilding Unit organized a 3-day peacebuilding workshop for Burundi Intervention office staff, to enhance the staff's skills and understanding of peacebuilding challenges in Burundi. The workshop also looked at identifying possible engagements to enhance sustainable peacebuilding in Burundi.

On 05-07 December 2012 the Founder and Executive Director of ACCORD, Vasu Gounden, was invited by the Centre for Global Pluralism to be their keynote speaker at their second Pluralism Forum held on 06 December 2012.  The Forum is a new series of moderated dialogues with leading international authorities on the various policies and practices that broadly support pluralism.

Promoting women's capacity to participate in peace processes is crucial for the advancement of women in peace, development and security. This is reflected by the international and regional efforts in the operationalisation of the UNSCR 1325 and other African Union and regional frameworks. Despite the number of declarations, most mediation processes have not offered enough scope that encourages the voices and representation of women.

ACCORD was represented by its Peacebuilding and Peacemaking Units at the Global Thematic Consultation on Conflict and Fragility and the Post-2015 Development Agenda (Monrovia Consultation) from 29-20 November 2012. The Monrovia Consultation, which was co-organized by the Governments of Liberia and Finland, was initiated to solicit diverse and multi-sectoral inputs on issues relating to conflict, disasters and security.

The Republic of South Sudan's Peace Commission and the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for partnership in peace building in South Sudan. Peace Commission chairperson, Chuol Rambang and ACCORD chairperson Vasu Gounden, sign MoU in the presence of VP Riek Machar in Juba on 28 Nov. 2012 (ST)

ACCORD's Peacebuilding Unit has conducted a 4-day workshop on the implementation of the New Deal in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The New Deal is a new approach in which the international community engages with fragile states to enhance sustainable peacebuilding and statebuilding. The DRC pilots the implementation of the New Deal and the workshop's objectives were to enhance participants understanding of the process, its policies and implementations and also to enhance participants' skills sets on monitoring and evaluation in the implementation of the New Deal.

In line with its mandate to support the efforts of the African Union to promote peace and stability in Africa, ACCORD participated in the Third AU High Level Retreat of Special Envoys and Mediators, which took place in Cairo from 5-6 November 2012, centering on the theme: Transforming the African Peace and Security Context in the Next Decade: Appraisal and Opportunities.

An ACCORD Delegation led by Mr Vasu Gounden, Founder and Executive Director, visited Khartoum in 7-10 November 2012, to open lines for fruitful engagement with actors from various levels and backgrounds in Sudan. Additionally, the Khartoum visit provided an opportunity to understand the current situation on the ground, especially following the 27 September agreements with South Sudan, and thereby consider options for responsive programme design for ACCORD's initiatives in Sudan.

The Training for Peace Programme at ACCORD (TfP/ACCORD) has contributed to training courses conducted by the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC) on the Protection of Civilians (PoC). The courses aimed to enhance participants' capacities to plan, implement and PoC activities in Peacekeeping operations.

ACCORD extends it condolences to the Gerwel family on the death of Professor Jakes Gerwel. Professor Jakes Gerwel passed away this morning after undergoing a triple heart by-pass about a week ago. He suffered a stroke on Thursday. Professor Gerwel was one of the five founding Trustees of ACCORD. He will be sadly missed by the Trustees and Staff of ACCORD.