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COMMUNIQUÉThe participants at the 4th International Africa Peace and Confl ict Resolution Conference, organised by the Centre for African Peace and Confl ict Resolution (CAPCR) of California State University, Sacramento, USA and the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), take cognisance of the wide array of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms and peace studies programmes identifi ed across the world, and Africa in particular; and the potential of these mechanisms to bolster access to justice and contribute to building a culture of peace.

In light of the recent passing of former South African President Nelson Mandela, the participants dedicate this year’s conference to the memory of the late great peacemaker and statesman.

Participants acknowledge the role played by traditional confl ict resolution practices across Africa, and how these are largely based on dialogue, mediation and negotiation.

They further:

• Recognise the need to better understand such traditional practices towards greater confl ict resolution across the continent.

• Understand that traditional confl ict resolution practices are context-specifi c and may thus require a pragmatic approach when seeking applicability in broader contexts.

• Agree that ADR is increasingly being regarded and understood as a common pillar of good governance and social justice.

• Commend the fact that Africa has made signifi cant progress in the area of peace and security, but remain cognisant that access to justice is a crucial consideration in sustaining this positive trend.

• Acknowledge the critical need for positive involvement of women in mediation as well as the importance of gender balance in confl ict management as cornerstones to addressing further confl icts ensuing from broadening inequality.

They thus agree on the need to properly mainstream ADR based on a wide array of identifi ed positive dimensions associated with the practices of facilitated dialogue, mediation, conciliation and arbitration, as well as their hybrid processes.

They affi rm that ADR may indeed be more appropriate in most, but not all, cases.

They understand that issues of ADR training, certifi cation and proper regulation are integral to ensuring quality assurance and require greater attention, monitoring, and refl ection.

They agree that access to justice for the most vulnerable groups in society is a crucial issue which warrants serious attention and urgent action.

The delegates acknowledge that where there is limited access to justice, there will most likely be an absence of any durable peace.

They agree that contemporary information technology is bound to play a pivotal role in the advancement of ADR, and as such they recognise the prospects and challenges of online dispute resolution. They particularly recognise the fact that mass media has formed an integral part of confl ict resolution

FOURTH INTERNATIONAL AFRICA PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION CONFERENCE

Alternative Dispute Resolution and Peace Studies in Africa: Lessons, Prospects and Challenges

25–26 July 2014, Johannesburg, South Africa

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acknowledging that it can either exacerbate or mitigate confl ict based on the approach, position or angle that is taken when covering confl icts in Africa. They note the ongoing trend of media coverage on and about Africa which is oftentimes both sensational and negative.

They agree that there is need to deconstruct western ideologies of journalism by infusing the concept of Peace Journalism in confl ict reporting with local approaches to news coverage to come up with hybrid ways of representing Africa that take into consideration the nuances of the continent. For this to be achievable, institutions of higher learning are encouraged to introduce curricula in media, peace and security studies to train African journalists to master these newly formulated hybrid ways that are necessary for transforming media institutions in Africa from within.

They acknowledge that ADR and peace studies is a growing fi eld as well as a constantly evolving process, and that it is indeed gaining increasing buy-in from a range of actors and stakeholders – with particular regard to the traditional legal community and civil society organisations.

They express that a deeper engagement or robust synergy between ADR and peace studies should be further considered and promoted.

They particularly acknowledge interdisciplinary developments in terms of youth leadership development, environmental justice and electoral disputes vis-à-vis ADR.

The participants further:

• Commit themselves to the further rigorous study of traditional African confl ict resolution mechanisms as well as their effectiveness and applicability to broader contexts.

• Recommend a greater consideration of the link between traditional confl ict resolution mechanisms and the theory and practice of ADR.

• Advance a broader understanding, acceptance and establishment of ADR among a greater cross-section of society through further study and advocacy.

• Commit to engaging with programmes that normalise ADR as an essential dimension of youth development and growth.

• Recommend the development of appropriate curricula and research on peace studies and ADR in educational institutions.

The participants would like to express their gratitude to the conference organisers, namely CAPCR-CSUS and ACCORD for their efforts in planning, coordinating and co-hosting the conference, as well as the esteemed academics and practitioners who presented at the conference, and the respective organisations and institutions that they represent.1

Contact Information

Prof. Ernest Uwazie, Center for African Peace & Conflict Resolution (CAPCR)

California State University, 6000 J. Street, Sacramento CA

Phone: +1 916 278 6282 • Fax: +1 916 278 3429

E-mail: capcr@csus.edu or uwazieee@csus.edu • Website: www.csus.edu/org/capcr

Sabrina Ensenbach & Charles Nyuykonge, Knowledge Production DepartmentAfrican Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD)

2 Golf Course Drive, Mount Edgecombe, South Africa

Private Bag X 018, Umhlanga Rocks, 4320, South Africa

Phone: +27 31 502 3908 • Fax: +27 31 502 4160

E-mail: sabrina@accord.org.za & charlesn@accord.org.za • Website: www.accord.org.za

1 Refer to Annex 1 for the List of Participants

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ANNEX 1

List of Participants

Name Affi liation

Oyeniyi Abe Lecturer in Law, Afe Babalola University, Nigeria

Sabrina Ali Student, California State University Sacramento, USA

James Akpokos Amos Lecturer, Department of Sociology, Kaduna State University, Nigeria

Dr Gebreyesus Teklu Bahta

Post-Doctoral Fellow, Institute for Dispute Resolution in Africa, University of South Africa, South Africa

Patrick Baleka Coordinator, ANC Sub-committee on International Relations, South Africa

Winnie Bedigen PhD candidate, Leeds Metropolitan University, UK

Paul Oluwatosin Bello PhD candidate, Department of Safety & Security Management, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa

Elena Bennett Teacher, Country Day Secondary School, Sacramento, California, USA

Micaela Bennett-Smith High School Student, Country Day Secondary School, Sacramento, California, USA

Lidwine Clerc PhD candidate in Political Science, Grenoble University, France

Dr Jose Pascal da Rocha

Dr Pascal da Rocha, Lecturer, Columbia University, USA

Annie DuPre Research Assistant United Nations Association of South Africa

Sabrina Ensenbach Coordinator, Knowledge Production Department, ACCORD, South Africa

Prof Chuks Emmanuel Ezedum

Vice-Chancellor, Madonna University, Nigeria

Ogoma Gloria Ezedum

Prof John Faris Professor, Institute for Dispute Resolution in Africa, University of South Africa

Chrisptopher Goethert First Secretary, US Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa

Vasu Gounden Founder and Executive Director, ACCORD, South Africa

Kimberly Jackson Africa Dispute Resolution (ADR), South Africa

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Makhudu Kganakga Member, ANC IRC Gauteng, South Africa

Betsy Kimball Attorney, Kimball & Wilson, LLP; Sacramento, USA

Prof Jannie Malan Managing Editor, African Journal on Confl ict Resolution, ACCORD, South Africa

Peter Malek Literacy and Education Specialist, SIL International, South Sudan

Victoria Maloka Senior Associate, Centre for Mediation in Africa, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Mpho Masienyane Southern Africa School Mediation Initiative, South Africa

Dr Mike McMullen Associate Professor, Department of Sociology and Cross Cultural Studies, University of Houston-Clear Lake, USA

Matt Meyer Coordinator, War Resisters International Africa Support Network, USA

Kalewongel Minale PhD candidate, Sant’Anna – School of Advanced Studies, Italy

H.E. Amb Billy Modise

Former South African Ambassador to Canada; former South African Chief of State Protocol; Trustee, ACCORD, South Africa

Munyaradzi Motsi Head, a.i., Reconciliation and Peace Consolidation Section, United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), Liberia

Felly Mbenga Mukuna Movement of Youth for Development and Dignity, DRC

Desmond Mwembe Lecturer, National University of Science and Technology, Department of Statistics and Operations Research, Zimbabwe

Philani Ndebele Campaigns Manager, Action Support Centre; MA Student, Development Studies, WITS University, South Africa

H.E. Amb Welile Nhlapo

Former Chair of the Kimberley Process; former National Security Advisor to President Jacob Zuma, Senior Political Advisor, ACCORD, South Africa

Dumisa Ntsebeza Advocate, Victoria Mxenge Group of Advocates, South Africa

Charles Nyuykonge Senior Researcher, Knowledge Production Department, ACCORD, South Africa

Dr Fredrick Ogenga Head, Communication, Media and Journalism Department, Rongo University College, Kenya

Ijeoma Ononogbu Solicitor, England & Wales, UK

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Dr Everette Penn Director of the Teen And Police Service Academy, USA

Shalima Pursotham Programme Administrator, Knowledge Production Department, ACCORD, South Africa

Joanita Rwebangira PhD candidate, School of Political Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Jerome Sachane Deputy Director, ACCORD, South Africa

Dr Lisa Mächa Saye President, The Association of Third World Studies (ATWS), USA

Ellah Siang’andu Lecturer in Law, University of Zambia, Zambia

Priyal Singh Researcher, Knowledge Production Department, ACCORD, South Africa

Anthony Smith Managing Director, Southern Africa School Mediation Initiative, South Africa

Dr Elizabeth Sugh Lecturer, Benue State University, Nigeria

Ellen Taylor Associate Director, California Lawyers for the Arts; Director, Sacramento Mediation Center, USA

Joel Trudell Senior Research Associate, SIL International, Kenya

Claudia Tublin New York, USA

Comfort Ugbem Lecturer, Department of Sociology, Benue State University, Nigeria

Anthony Obinna Ugwu

Director, Centre for Advanced Reconciliation, Rehabilitation Orientation, and Development (CARROD), Nigeria

Prof Ernest Uwazie Founder and Executive Director, CAPCR-CSU-Sacramento, USA

Dr Andreas Velthuizen Senior Researcher, Institute for Dispute Resolution in Africa, University of South Africa

Dr Daniel Yamshon Arbitrator & Mediator, Attorney at law; Professor, University of the Pacifi c McGeorge School of Law, USA & CAPCR