Workshop on Threats to Peace and Human Security

This workshop dealt with human security issues in Sudan. Unusually, it involved the police as well as diverse members of Sudanese society, and culminated in an agreement to build a new Peace Centre.

Description

On the 3rd April 2007 MAMAN implemented a workshop on things that threaten peace and human security, in the Police Home (a place for police meetings and festivals, famous in Khartoum). It was facilitated by the state Minster of Interior Mr Aleu Ayieny Aleu. Also attending was Ms Treaza Sirsio (Minster of the Ministry of Development and Environment) and many consultants, specialists, media workers, and members of the police force. Issues dealing with the police force in Sudan are very popular and people love to attend when police people come, which rarely happens.

Aims / Objectives

The aims of the workshop are to:

How it is Articulated

In this workshop we invited all concerned people to a “wide open” discussion to enable all sectors in Sudan to work together for peace. Most of the peace work that people have done here is separate from the police force and government even though they have a major role to play, so we invited them to exchange opinions and to listen to their ideas. We concluded by setting up a centre that the police represent a part of, to deepen their cooperation with peace and Human Security work and to make the centre more effective and credible.

The workshop presented four papers:

  • "The Principle of Peace and Human Security" presented by Dr. Hassan Haj Ali;
  • "Things that Threaten Peace and Human Security" presented by Police Officer Eladel Alajab;
  • "Learning from South Africa's experience of setting up a peace centre" presented by Mariam Bibi; and
  • "The Centre Project" presented by Dr. Omer Hassan.
  • After the papers were presented, a wide discussion between participants and the media was held.

    Achievements / Learning points

    What worked well was how the discussion was open for every one to speak directly without hesitation or fear; even the police and government could answer objectively. By the end of workshop there were several recommendations:

    As a result of this the centre has been established.

    Geographical Area Of Operation

    Khartoum

    Funding Resources

    MAMAN