The Training for Peace (TfP) in Africa Programme at ACCORD has participated in the TfP Annual General Meeting (AGM) in New York. The AGM aims to highlight the TfP Programmes main achievements and developments in 2012 and present its work plans for implementation in 2013. The meeting was also aimed at sharing feedback on reporting and planning templates, management cycle timelines, and enhanced collaboration amongst the TfP partners.
The TfP AGM meeting was organised by the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), from 19-20 March 2013 in New York, USA. Member institutions from across the world including the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC); Institute for Security Studies (ISS); African Civilian Standby Roster for Humanitarian and Peace Building Missions (AFDEM); the Norwegian National Police Directorate (POD), and the Eastern Africa Standby Force Coordination Mechanism (EASFCOM) – as well as TfP donors, representatives from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. TfP/ACCORD was represented by Ms Seun Abiola – Peacekeeping Unit Senior Programme Officer, and Dr Martha Mutisi – ACCORD’s intervention’s manager.
As part of the TfP AGM, the Unit also had the opportunity to meet with key interlocutors in the United Nations Administration and particularly the Department for Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), including the Under-Secretary General for the Department of Field Support (DFS) Ms Ameera Haq; the Chief of Integrated Services, Policy, Evaluation and Training Division in DPKO-DFS Mr Kevin Kennedy; the Head of the Police Division in DPKO; and the AU Liaison to the UN. In addition to the TfP AGM, the Peacekeeping Unit at ACCORD, planned meetings from 21-22 March 2013, with other Departments within the UN, to establish partnerships and confirm the 2013 initiatives the Programme will be implementing with UN DPKO. The Programme met with the UN Civilian Capacities Team; Military Affairs within UN DPKO; Civil Affairs in the Policy and Best Practices Section (PBPS) in UN DPKO; and Integrated Services, Policy, Evaluation and Training Division in DPKO-DFS including the Chief Mr Kevin Kennedy.
The AGM meetings provided an opportunity for TfP/ACCORD to present the 2012 Report and Financial Statement, and 2013 Work Plan and Budget to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and other TfP partners – and ensure the Results Based Management (RBM) approach to the design, planning, implementation, and monitoring of initiatives for 2013, is in-line with the TfP goal hierarchy. One key outcome is that, partners were able to provide input to the new police review conducted by the team lead by Commissioner Bjørn Hareide, and appraise the findings and recommendations for the way forward in the police component of the TfP Programme.
Both the TfP AGM and the additional meetings were opportunities for the programme to consult with civilians, police and military interlocutors within the UN, in line with the PKUs plan to engage in initiatives and with stakeholder.
The Training for Peace Programme at ACCORD is an initiative funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
