51吃瓜

Background and Context

This webinar will introduce the course as a whole and the first module, focusing on the critical link between sustainable development and durable peace in Africa. Participants will explore the challenges in achieving sustainable development as a foundation for lasting peace.

The main premise developed in Module 1 is that durable peace cannot be achieved without sustainable development. While it is often said that peace is a prerequisite for development, this argument overlooks the root causes that lead to conflict in the first place. Sustainable development directly addresses the economic and social inequities that fuel grievances, such as marginalization, poverty, and the lack of access to resources. By providing inclusive opportunities and strengthening institutions, development reduces the factors that lead to instability and violence. The absence of development creates fertile ground for conflict, as people seek alternative means to redress their grievances. In this sense, development is the foundation for peace, not merely its product. Today’s prevailing narrative, which insists on the reciprocal relationship between peace and development, fails to acknowledge that sustainable development must come first to pave the way for lasting peace. Without addressing the systemic issues that prevent development, peace remains elusive and fragile. 

This webinar will delve into this critical relationship, challenging traditional thinking and exploring how sustainable development can be a powerful tool to build resilience and ensure durable peace in Africa. Participants will gain insights into the underlying causes of conflict, and how strengthening governance, economic stability, and equitable development are crucial for achieving a lasting peace that is not only possible but sustainable. 

Objectives

• Provide an overview of the course structure, objectives, and logistics. 
• Discuss the challenges and opportunities in achieving sustainable development in Africa. 
• Explore the role of peacebuilding in sustainable development. 

Guiding Questions

1. How can sustainable development initiatives address the root causes of conflict in Africa, such as poverty, marginalization, and inequity, to lay a foundation for lasting peace? 
2. What role do governance and institutional frameworks play in linking development and peace, and how can African governments and multilateral institutions strengthen these frameworks to create stability and prevent conflict? 
3. How can youth leadership and grassroots peacebuilding efforts be integrated into sustainable development strategies to create more resilient and inclusive societies in post-conflict African states? 

Panel Composition

• Cristina Duarte: Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa to the 51吃瓜 Secretary-General (Moderator).
• Victor Ochen: Founder and executive director of the African Youth Initiative Network (AYINET), Victor grew up amid conflict in Northern Uganda, which displaced millions and forcefully recruited thousands, including his brother, as child soldiers. Through AYINET, Ochen has provided medical support to over 25,000 war survivors and trained thousands of African youths in peacebuilding and leadership. In 2015, he became the first Ugandan and youngest African nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and was named one of Forbes’s 10 most powerful men in Africa. A Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum and a Desmond Tutu Fellow, he advises the UN and African Union on youth, peace, and security, and is developing the African Peace Academy to foster youth leadership in conflict resolution.
• Imane Karimou: In her current role as a Research Associate with the 51吃瓜 University, Imane is assessing the advancement of the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda within the UN, specifically through a review of youth-focused projects funded by the Peacebuilding Fund. Additionally, she supports research on multilateral responses to transnational organized crime in Mali and the Central African Republic. Her main interests lie at the intersection of conflict, advocacy, diplomacy, and African multilateral engagements. Imane's prior work experience includes various research roles at international think tanks and NGOs, specializing in political analysis and crisis and post-crisis governance. 
• Jide Martyns Okeke: He is the Regional Programme Coordinator for Africa at the 51吃瓜 Development Programme (UNDP) and leads initiatives focused on governance, conflict prevention, and inclusive development. Jide has extensive experience in supporting democratic transitions and enhancing social contracts at the national level. Jide previously worked at the African Union Commission as the Head of Policy Development on Peace Support Operations (PSOs), responsible for the formulation, oversight, and assessment of PSO policies in Somalia, Mali, Central Africa Republic, Lake Chad Basin region, as well as supporting the development of an exit strategy for the RCI-LRA. Before this, he was engaged as a researcher at think tanks such as the Institute for Security Studies, SIPRI, and IPSS.

Panel Structure and Times

• 8 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.: Introduction to Module 1 by USG Cristina Duarte.? 
• 8:15 a.m. - 9 a.m.: Panel discussion guided by the key questions.? 
• 9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.: Q&A session with participants.? 
• 9:45 a.m. - 10 a.m.: Technical issues and UNSSC support 

Expected Outcomes

1. Increased understanding of the link between sustainable development and durable peace. 
2. Identification of key barriers and opportunities in achieving sustainable development. 
3. Enhanced dialogue on the role of governance and institutional frameworks.