Building the Stabilization and Mediation Unit

Transcript:Building the Stabilization and Mediation Unit:
Building the Stabilization and Mediation Unit (SMU) Public International Law & Policy Group Public International Law & Policy Group Introduction Public International Law & Policy Group Session Overview and Key Outcomes Agenda This session will overview the essential start-up activities and core components to establish the Stabilization and Mediation Unit (SMU). Key Outcomes Following this presentation we will hold a large group discussion surrounding key next steps and potential milestones and activities to be conducted by the SMU over the next one, five, and ten years. You should come away from this session with a better idea of what comprises a successful conflict mediation unit and key next steps to establish and operate a successful mediation unit. Introduction Public International Law & Policy Group Overview of the Unit The Kenyan Stabilization and Mediation Unit (SMU) will work to: Improve the Kenyan government’s understanding of complex conflicts in the region. Confront the growing range of demands on the Kenyan government stemming from these conflicts. Operationalize innovative conflict mediation approaches to evolving conflict situations. Provide specialized assistance to conflict mediation efforts across the region. The SMU will comprise a cadre of trained Kenyan foreign service officers and harness the expertise of professionals from across the Kenyan government in order to: Unify and strengthen the Kenyan government’s overall skills, knowledge, and lessons learned regarding conflict mediation and prevention. Establishing the SMU Public International Law & Policy Group Start-Up Activities Vision It is critical that the SMU, as part of its initial planning and design phase, determines and builds consensus regarding its overall vision. Based on consultations, a short-term and long-term vision statement could be established for the SMU along the following lines: The Kenya Stabilization and Mediation Unit (SMU) aims to improve the capacity of the Kenyan government to prevent and mediate conflict in the region by facilitating the training of specialized mediation and negotiation experts within the Kenyan government, and by supporting mediations and peace negotiations through the deployment of these experts, in addition to other mediation interventions. The Kenya Stabilization and Mediation Unit (SMU) will become a Kenyan Institute of Peace that can prevent, mitigate, and resolve conflict regionally and globally, while linking research, policy, training, analysis, and direct action to support peace efforts. Establishing the SMU Public International Law & Policy Group Start-Up Activities Goals Establishing clear goals for the SMU that align with the overall vision for the unit