GAAV and AFSC host regional workshop on reducing armed violence to promote development
On 25 November, the Global Alliance on Armed Violence (GAAV) with the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) hosted a regional working on Preventing and Reducing Armed Violence to Promote Development, in Nairobi, Kenya. Held one day prior to the Geneva Declaration Regional Review Conference for Sub-Saharan Africa, the workshop engaged 35 non-government groups and civil society participants of the RRC around the following objectives:
- Explore national, transnational and regional characteristics of armed violence and ways to collaborate – from advocacy to information sharing – to support efforts to reduce and prevent armed violence.
- Outline the post-2015 development agenda debate and discuss current goals and targets relative to the regional contexts and potential indicators.
- Build cohesion and connections among the group for continued engagement via the Global Alliance on Armed Violence (GAAV).
- Develop a civil society statement to be shared at the regional review conference – and across various networks – by a nominated representative of the group.
The NGO forum, as well as the participation of a delegation of civil society participants at the RRC, was made possible by support from the Dialogue and Exchange Programme (DEP) via the American Friends Service Committee.The workshop provided an interactive space, engaging all participants in group work and dialogue, to explore themes of the review conference – armed violence challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa, measuring and monitoring armed violence and the post-2015 development agenda – and outline ways to advance civil society coordination on this agenda
The civil society statement developed at the forum will be released at the regional review conference this week. A summary note on ways to consolidate and improve targets supporting goal 16 as defined by the Open Working Group will also be shared by the non-government groups.
View the workshop agenda and concept note for more information.