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Annual Report 2001

Program Report:
West Africa Early Warning and Response Network (WARN) - Takwa Suifon, Coordinator

WARN intends to fill the gap between conflict analysis and warning on the one hand and early and appropriate response on the other. WARN seeks to mobilize civil society groups in West Africa, through the non-governmental sector, to establish and strengthen conflict prevention mechanisms at community, state, inter-state, and subregional levels. WARN is unique particularly because of its emphasis on local and indigenous perspectives on conflict and resources for peacebuilding. It is hoped that this structure will lead to a better understanding of regional conflict dynamics, more effective local, regional and international responses to conflict, and a proactive approach to peacebuilding.

Goal
To create a sub-regional early warning and appropriate response network in West Africa beginning with the Mano River basin countries (Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone) and the former ‘Senegambia’ region.

Objectives
· Develop local and regional capacities/structures for response through training, technical assistance and database development.
· Develop and monitor context-specific conflict and peace indicators.
· Increase the understanding of WANEP members and other peacebuilding practitioners of key international and regional organizations with peacebuilding capacities in the Sene-gambia and Mano River regions, documenting their perspectives, their conflict prevention instruments, mechanisms and tools, and their priorities.
· Encourage proactive and integrated approaches to conflict prevention and peace building by promoting policy debates and multi-sectoral planning through roundtable conferences.

Highlights of Activities
· Training of Trainers workshops are an integral part of the establishment of the West Africa Early Warning and Early Response Network, as they provide needed knowledge and skills to analysts and practitioners. The trained analysts will monitor and report on peace and conflict indicators.

· In October 2000, the Training of Trainers I workshop on conflict prevention and early warning was held in Accra, Ghana. Focused on the Mano River basin countries, this training was funded by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, with fundraising, training and reporting support from the Forum on Early Warning and Early Response (FEWER). The goal of the workshop was to introduce the values and methodology for effective conflict analysis required for the establishment of a sustainable early warning and early response network in the Mano River basin countries of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

· Through this training, participants obtained an understanding of the theoretical basis for conflict and conflict prevention, the essential elements of early warning analysis and reporting. The participants explored the role and use of indicators and undertook conflict mapping exercises. The generic manual for early warning developed by FEWER was revised after the first training to include the contextual realities of the Mano River basin countries.

· August 13-18, 2001, Training of Trainers II workshop was held in Accra, Ghana. The second training was also supported by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy. The workshop built upon the lessons learned in the first training and introduced aspects of risk assessment, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and strategic response development. · Detailed objectives of Training of Trainers II workshop included:

· To review conflict theory and early warning methodology, including discussion of the role of early warning in conflict prevention

· To design a system for an early warning and early response network

· To develop skills in risk assessment and reporting

· To develop a map of the conflict system within countries of the Mano River basin, including presentation of current situations, and critical analysis of conflict-generating indicators

· To develop a framework and methodology for qualitative and quantitative early warning monitoring and reporting, including a review of the audience, i.e. key local, national, regional, and international policy makers · To develop facilitating skills in conflict analysis, monitoring and response mobilisation, including building skills in contemporary “preventive diplomacy”

· To design lesson plans for Training of Monitors workshops

· A total of thirty-two people attended the training workshop. Eleven of the original fifteen participants from TOT I attended the second workshop. Tremendous interest was generated in the workshop. Subsequently, more participants were invited than the original seventeen planned for in the budget. Part of WANEP’s general support from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation (US) was used to cover budget increases. Additionally, one of the international trainers offered to cover his flight costs through project funds, and it was agreed with Westminster that the money saved in this area could then be used to offset the costs of the additional participants.

· The Training of Trainers II workshop was the second stage in the process of establishing an early warning and early response network in the Mano River basin. The next step will encompass the convening of Training of Monitors workshops in each of the Mano River Union countries: Liberia, Guinea-Conakry and Sierra Leone. The workshops will be led by the trained participants, with assistance from WANEP and additional regional and international trainers.

· Prior to convening the Training of Monitors workshops, the dates for which will depend upon available funding, participants will hold “mini” workshops transferring the knowledge they gained at TOT II within their organisations and networks. It was clear throughout the training that the participants are a dynamic, committed, and energetic groups of individuals, whose experience, knowledge and skills make them well-suited to manage the training of monitors.

· Further Training of Trainers workshops will be replicated for the Senegambia countries of Senegal, Gambia, Mali, Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania. Cote d’Ivoire has been included in the Mano River basin conflict system, and there has been discussion of future replication in Nigeria and other countries in the subregion.

· The Conflict and Peace Analysis and Response (CAPAR) Manual that was further refined during the previous workshop will be enhanced to incorporate the lessons learned at this training. Lessons learned from this session will also be used to enhance a training module under development for United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).

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