By Isaac Eranga
A training workshop on conflict prevention, violent extremism and crisis management has been held in Abuja.
The workshop was part of the Research and Action for Peace Network (REcAP Network) Project. The REcAP network project is being implemented in Nigeria by the West Africa Network of Peacebuilding (WANEP) Nigeria.
Speaking, the National Network Coordinator of WANEP Nigeria- Dr. Bridget Osakwe said the workshop was meant to build the capacity of civil society actors, women and youth groups on conflict prevention, violent extremism, crisis management and peacebuilding.
“The REcAp project funded by the European Union, is implemented by WANEP, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in 18 countries of West Africa and the Lake Chad Basin.
“The overall objective of the project is to strengthen the role for civil society, including regional, national and community practitioners and researchers in effective peacebuilding, crisis management and prevention of conflict and violent extremism in West Africa and the Lake Chad Basin to enable more informed decision making by policy makers”, said Dr. Bridget Osakwe.
On her part, WANEP Nigeria Head of Program, Mrs. Patience Ikpeh-Obaulo reiterated the expected outcomes to include the following: “enhancing the capacity of peacebuilding organisations and practitioners; strengthening the capacity of civil society organisations (CSOs), women and youth groups in peacebuilding, and the prevention of conflict and violent extremism; and strengthening the capacity of CSOs and it’s network members at regional, national and community levels in mediation, negotiation, and facilitative techniques.
“Emphasis of the training was placed on mediation and negotiation knowledge and techniques to influence peacebuilding and conflict prevention policies and practices at multiple levels.
“The training also pay critical attention to how indicators could be elicited before violence occurs, and how to use ranges of different sources of opportunities to prevent conflict and violent extremism.
“This includes how to make use of local knowledge and traditional methods and approaches whilst embarking on expertise of network members. Attention was also focused at ways of formulating understanding around the type of response options needed within a specific context”, said Mrs. Obaulo-Ikpeh.
The training workshop, the first of which was conducted in Abuja from June 24th to 26th, 2024, is expected to be held in six states across Nigeria from June 2024 to January 2025.
