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Youth and
Peace Education (YPE) |
RESEARCH, MONITORING
AND EVOLUTION
The Research, Monitoring and Evaluation
Program was established in 2005. The need to develop mechanisms or tools
to determine the impact of WANEP’s work and produce research documents
becomes critical as WANEP forges strategic partnerships with other
institutions such as CSOs, governmental institutions and bilateral donor
agencies which require impact assessment tools integrated in funded
projects.
Furthermore, to adequately address conflict prevention and for
peacebuilding outcomes to be more effective and sustainable in West
Africa, there is serious need to map the conflicts in the sub-region,
analyze the root causes, nature, consequences, and the stakeholders and
beneficiaries in these conflicts. The results of the research undertaken
should be published and used to inform policy formulation.
Objectives
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Generate
information that will enhance appreciation and understanding of the
types and causes of conflict in West Africa by location; identify
the principal actors in any particular conflict, as well as the
victims and ‘beneficiaries’ and determine mechanisms for
transforming them.
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Make accessible
original, reliable, and evidence-based data for reference purposes.
Use the information gathered from the research to inform WANEP’s
Peace Monitoring Centre.
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Review and
strengthen existing M&E mechanisms.
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Share lessons
learnt with others in the field to harmonize M&E in peacebuilding
activities.
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Identify and
implement specific tasks and activities to improve M&E at national
and regional levels.
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Document the
successes and impact of WANEP’s work across the sub-region
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HIGHLIGHTS
Research
Activities
As a newly created unit, preliminary groundwork undertaken included
drawing up a one-year research plan which was also a pre-requisite for
accessing Ghana Research and Advocacy Program (G-RAP) funding for
research into conflict in the country. The research work plan outlined
activities in 10 regions in Ghana. The work plan was submitted to G-RAP.
The Research Unit wrote and presented a paper on Border Security and the
International Obligations of Ghana’s Border Security Agencies. The paper
looked at the contested concept of security, identified the agencies
concerned with border security, their role, the challenges, and
recommendations on how to enhance security at the country’s borders. The
paper was highly appreciated and commended as having aptly addressed
fundamental problems within Ghana’s borders at a time when much of the
West African sub-region was embroiled in conflict with grave
implications for the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
Draft West African Code of Conduct for Armed and Security Forces (WACOCAS)
The Research Unit through the senior researcher also represented WANEP
at the Preparatory Meeting on a Draft West African Code of Conduct for
Armed and Security Forces (WACOCAS) sponsored and organized by ECOWAS
and the Geneva Centre for Democratic Control of the Armed Forces (DCAF)
from October 24 to 26, 2005. A presentation was made by WANEP on Civil
Society Perspectives on a Code of Conduct for Armed and Security Forces.
The presentation called for greater civilian and security forces
interaction to foster an enhanced collaboration, especially in the areas
of conflict prevention.
Course on Ghana Security Sector Governance and Management
Earlier in August, the Senior Researcher attended a course on Ghana
Security Sector Governance and Management at the Ghana Armed Forces
Training and Staff College.
The purpose of the course was to make participants appreciate security
sector governance and management and the need for a reform of the sector
for democratic governance and to create an understanding of the
contribution of every individual as a stakeholder in the security of the
nation. was also expected that participants would clearly understand the
paradigm shift in security issues from the traditional notion of defense
of national sovereignty, elite/regime protection to include human
security.
Early Warning
Toward the end of October, after monitoring the peace negotiations in
Côte d’Ivoire led by South African President Thabo M’Beki, an Early
Warning policy brief was written to highlight the Pretoria Peace Talks.
The policy brief analyzed the implications of the failure of the talks
and looked at the opportunities currently available for building
sustainable peace in that country.
Capacity Building
The Unit coordinator attended the module on Early Warning and Early
Response at WAPI 2005 and also participated in the tripartite workshop
between ECOWAS, WANEP and USAID in Banjul in November 2005.
M&E Training of
Trainers workshop
At the beginning of 2005, WANEP entered into a partnership with
Management Systems International (MSI) and the Capable Partners Program
(CAP) of the USA to build the capacity of WANEP staff and its 400 plus
member organizations in performance monitoring and evaluation. A
customized monitoring training was successfully conducted by CAP in
Elmina, Ghana from the 3rd 12th October 2005.
In all, 32 participants took part in the training with 25 completing the
Training of Trainers (TOT) and committed themselves to replicate the
training in their various countries.
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Lessons
Learned/Observations
Peacebuilding monitoring is qualitative in nature and focuses on
intangible results such as relationships, trust and confidence which
make it very difficult to assess and measure changes and progress. In
the same vein, evaluating peacebuilding programs involves value
judgments which are subjective.
Many now recognize the need to monitor peacebuilding programs and
projects but need support to build their capacity to do this specialized
activity. WANEP is leading the process by involving all its 430 plus
network members to introduce the concept to other partners.
The new approach to TOT was a useful tool for new trainers to assess
themselves and their performance.
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RM&E
QUICK LINKS
Objectives
Highlights
Lessons Learned/Observation |