Network of Diplomatic Academies and Institutes of Francophone Africa Established
31 May – 1 June, Algiers, Algeria –In collaboration with l’Institut Diplomatique et des Relation Internationales (IDRI) and with the support of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, a meeting of the directors of diplomatic academies and institutes of francophone Africa was held in Algiers, Algeria. In attendance were representatives from Senegal, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tchad, Gabon, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Ivory Coast as well as their Algerian counterparts.
The discussion centred on the need to strengthen collaboration and experience-sharing between institutes, in particular with respect to managing human resources, improving inter-governmental and inter-institutional relations, cooperating with civil society and engaging the private sector. Roundtable discussions were also devoted to exploring how both training and education can be used as a means to counter violent extremism and promote more tolerant societies. Participants also had the opportunity to visit the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the construction site that will soon house the Algeria’s Institut Diplomatique et des Relation Internationales (IDRI).
Following the meeting, participants decided to establish a network facilitated by UNITAR that would ensure the continued collaboration of diplomatic academies and institutes in francophone Africa and foster the creation of new partnerships in the future. As such, UNITAR will create a virtual library containing the contact details and statutes of each institute as well as a database of experts and professors used by each institute. In addition, UNITAR will keep participants informed of events and conferences happening on a multilateral level that are relevant to the work of these institutes. Participants also agreed that a follow-up meeting will be held in September 2016 at the newly-built IDRI headquarters to further encourage the growth and expansion of the network.
Photo 1: Participants at the meeting of the directors of diplomatic academies and institutes of francophone Africa in Algiers, Algeria.