On 29 February 2024, ACCORD participated in a hybrid session at the Fragility Forum 2024, hosted by the New York University Center on International Cooperation (NYU-CIC). The Forum, titled “Prevention as a System: How can we do better on conflict prevention?” brought together experts and leaders from various countries to delve into the different ways to enhance conflict prevention strategies.
Moderated by Ms Sarah Cliffe, the Executive Director of the NYU-CIC, the session highlighted that support for prevention must evolve organically within societies and cannot be imposed externally. Ms. Cliffe emphasised the seamless integration of political, security, development, and humanitarian efforts to foster partnerships between governments, communities, and local civil society.
H.E Ms Kenyeh Barlay, Chair of g7+ and the Minister of Planning and Economic Development from Sierra Leone, underscored the significance of identifying conflict drivers, including economic, political, and social conditions. Ms Barlay emphasised the role of addressing governance issues and promoting transparency in preventing conflict in Sierra Leone. Furthermore, gender mainstreaming in peacebuilding efforts was highlighted, acknowledging the resilience of women in conflict prevention.
The discussions further emphasised the interconnectedness of different prevention topics, urging a holistic approach to support successful national initiatives. ACCORD’s Founder and Executive Director, Dr Vasu Gounden, highlighted the importance of adopting a multidimensional approach to address various causes of violence, identifying sustainable livelihoods and long-term prevention strategies as crucial elements.
H.E Mr. Martin Kimani, Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations also shared successful strategies from Kenya, focusing on community engagement and the creation of local committees to address radicalisation and violent extremism.The overall theme of the Forum reflected a shared commitment for effective conflict prevention, while recognising the complexity of factors contributing to violence, while emphasising the necessity for tailored strategies at both the national and community levels.
