From 03 – 05 November, ACCORD, in partnership with the East African Community Youth, Peace and Security (EAC YPS) Platform, convened a Peacebuilding and Conflict Management Training in Nairobi, Kenya. The participants of the training consisted of members of the EAC YPS Platform and representatives from the eight EAC member states. The event aligns with ACCORD’s strategic objectives to enhance the capacity of youths to mitigate and resolve complex conflicts, as well as enhancing the institutional responses of regional economic communities to respond to complex conflicts.
The opening of the first day focused on providing a contextual background of the EAC YPS Platform and familiarising participants with the various structures of the EAC Secretariat and the role of the YPS Platform in the EAC region. The presentation underscored the importance of peace as a pathway toward economic development in the region, and the importance of including youth in the conversations on peace with one participant remarking; “Youth are at the center of everything happening in our region, it is therefore vital to have them at the mediation table otherwise, we risk having them on the other side of violence”.
The training curricula included conflict analysis, which aimed to equip participants with a methodology on how to analyse conflict and highlighted the importance of the dialogue process. This involved a case study exercise, which required participants to study a conflict scenario and conduct a stakeholder mapping exercise. The day concluded with participants identifying the key actors and conflict dynamics using the case study. The trainer emphasised that although information can be shared, genuine knowledge is gained through engagement and reflection.The second day started with reflections on lessons from day one. Participants expressed appreciation for the interactive approach that helped them build meaningful connections. Many highlighted how comparative learning enhanced their understanding of mediation and conflict prevention. Discussions then drew inspiration from a video on the Thokoza peace processes, which sparked a dialogue on inclusion and empathy in peacebuilding. “It’s not just about reaching an agreement,” one participant noted, “but creating space for parties to be vulnerable and share openly.” Participants identified the importance of shifting mindsets and valuing different perspectives. Ultimately, the video served as a powerful engagement tool, reinforcing that mindset shifts are central to sustainable peace. The group also engaged in a “trust fall” exercise, which elicited strong emotions and highlighted the challenges of trust building. “Falling was harder,” one participant reflected, “because you never know if someone will catch you. It forces you to confront your fears and your faith in others.”
The last day of the workshop involved a mediation simulation exercise that sought to replicate a real-life mediation example to test and strengthen the skills and knowledge, the participants had acquired in the previous two days. Participants were able to identify how key tools such as conflict analysis, elements of negotiation and the dialogue process play an integral part in the mediation process. The exercise was followed by a session between the EAC Secretariat and the participants to discuss strategies on how to sustain the momentum of the training. Participants are committed to convening YPS dialogues and webinars, further advocating for the development of YPS National Action Plans and sharing their newly acquired skills within their communities. By the end of the workshop, participants left with a renewed commitment toward peacebuilding, and the EAC YPS Platform reaffirmed its mission to equip young people as peacebuilders capable of transforming conflict through inclusion, empathy, and dialogue.
