Control Arms June 2016 Strategic Planning Workshop for Implementation of the ATT in East Africa and the Horn of Africa
On 17 June 2016, Control Arms hosted an ATT Civil Society Strategic Planning Workshop, which brought together representatives from over 20 diverse organizations: faith-based groups, medical professionals, policy and research organizations, artists, grassroots and community focused initiatives as well as representatives of international NGOs. Countries included Kenya, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. The workshop focused on the status of the ATT in the region, regional-specific challenges to the Treaty’s universalization and implementation, strengthening the Control Arms Coalition in the sub-region as well as concrete steps to be taken towards raising the profile of armed violence in the region. Great presentations of activities from the Democratic Republic of Congo, as organized by WILPF-DRC and from Winds of Change in Kenya, illustrated how different members have tailored the #ArmsFreeAfrica theme to fit their context and audience. An important theme that emerged from the meeting was the need to identify linkages between local gun violence, conflicts and international legal mechanisms.
The #ArmsFreeAfrica campaign, a signature focus for Control Arms in 2016, is intended to help reduce the damaging effects of violence caused by the poor regulation of arms transfers in Africa. Its goals are to raise the profile of the threat posed by armed violence, support further universalization and effective implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) in Africa and raise the profile of African Control Arms coalition members. Building on Nigeria’s position as President of the second Conference of States Parties to the ATT (CSP2016), the #ArmsFreeAfrica campaign seeks to highlight the related problems of armed violence and chronic, cyclical conflict in Africa.
First Session ATT Academy
20/06/2016 - 23/06/2016
Second Session ATT Academy
05/12/2016 - 08/12/2016
Control Arms ATT Workshop in East Africa
09/12/2016 - 09/12/2016
Control Arms Secretariat
Address: 205 East 42nd Street, 20th Floor
New York, NY 10017, USA
Telephone: +1 (212) 687-3146
Email: info@controlarms.org
Website: http://controlarms.org/en/