ACPST course: Managing Diversity 2014

If diversity is a fact in Africa, how can it be managed for the improvement of human security?

Date: 2014-09-08 to 2014-09-12

Time: 09:00 to 14:00

Venue: ISS Addis Ababa

Rationale for the training course

African countries are known for their ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity. Nigeria and Cameroon, for example, are estimated to have 250 ethnic groups each while South Africa has 11 official languages. While some celebrate this diversity, there is also the view that diversity is implicated in many conflicts, wars and economic challenges on the continent.

If diversity is a fact in Africa, how can it be managed for the improvement of human security in Africa? How can we manage diversity to ensure peaceful and rights-respecting electoral politics? In what ways can diversity be handled to ensure the management of natural resources in ways that promote equitable economic development? What can be done to ensure that relations between (forced and voluntary) migrants and host communities are peaceful and enhance development? How can diversity be managed to ensure transitional justice and post-conflict reconstruction?

Participants

The course was run simultaneously in English and French. It brought together 24 participants from 16 African countries with a mix of state and non-state actors, including from private and not-for-profit sectors, members of the press, religious leaders, elections officials, academics and UN staff.

Course content and outcomes

Over the course of a week, the course positively influenced policymaking and implementation by giving participants a better understanding of diversity in Africa, its potential effects and how people have tried to harness and exploit it to various ends. It provided participants with cutting edge practical skills for managing diversity in electoral politics, natural resource management, migration and post conflict reconstruction. It also provided space for participants to create networks for knowledge, information exchange and concerted action. Participants left with concrete ideas and tools for developing action plans to manage diversity at the local and national level.