Camino Kavanagh, International IDEA's Special Adviser to the Secretary-General
Photos ©: Rushdi Nackerdien/IDEA
Election-related violence has become widespread - especially in Africa - and there is a pressing need for electoral assistance providers and others to come up with a means of mitigating conflict during elections.
To this end, International IDEA’s workshop: “Towards a Global Framework for Managing and Mitigating Elections-Related Conflict and Violence”, took place in Johannesburg, South Africa from 28-30 October 2009. The workshop underlined the importance of creating a community of practice that reaches beyond electoral assistance providers and incorporates other actors working in fields such as mediation, security and media. Such a community would provide the foundations for increased knowledge development, sharing and coordination in order to address this phenomenon systematically.
Mustaq Moorad, International IDEA's Regional Director
Photos ©: Rushdi Nackerdien/IDEA
The workshop participants consisted of 30 people from over 20 different organizations working in the field of election-related conflict and violence as well as institutions working on election assistance, security, crisis management and mediation issues.
Presentations emphasized the importance of understanding the context in which one is working while addressing the need for being comprehensive and innovative when approaching the topic. It became evident that methodologies such as mediation, risk mapping and the development of knowledge resources and early warning capacities can be important contributions to the successful management and mitigation of violent conflict.
More information on the workshop, including detailed information on various risk mapping and early warning methodologies, conclusions and recommendations, will be placed on International IDEA’s website early in 2010.
Discuss
Tell a friend
