Speakers

Mimidoo Achakpa is a Business Administration graduate by profession, human rights advocate by calling/nature, a social and political advocate by induction. She advocates for educational and economic empowerment of the girl-child. And currently the Executive Director of Women’s Right to Education Programme (WREP) and oversees the administrative and project(s) implementation of the organization.

She has over a decade of project management and programming experience, and an extensive background in governance, gender, disarmament issues and a Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration as well as Women Peace and Security (WPS) expert. She is a skilled manager, trainer, and facilitator. Ms. Achakpa has implemented and managed governance and other projects in Nigeria, trained and built capacity in several areas, and fostered strategic alliances with government agencies, bilateral partners, Non-Governmental Organizations, Community Based Organizations and Faith Based Organizations.

She advocates for the betterment of the lot of the vulnerable groups in the society, especially women, youth, children and physically challenged or people living with disabilities.

An advocate of safely nets for rural dwellers, she believes it is possible for all Nigerians to enjoy all the good things of life if disguise is excused in our attitudes, actions and activities. She believes integrity is the foundation for sustainable success for individuals, establishment organizations and nations. In addition She also coordinates the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) Women Network –Nigeria, National Working group on Armed Violence in Nigeria and an interim Committee Member of the Global Alliance on Armed Violence (GAAV) and many other National and International networks.

Monsieur François Albert AMICHIA est Titulaire d’un Doctorat en Histoire Contemporaine. Maire de la Commune de Treichville depuis 1996. En 1998, il fait partie des précurseurs du FISU (Forum Ivoirien pour la Sécurité Urbaine) qu’il préside jusqu’à ce jour. Son engagement pour la promotion des collectivités territoriales et son charisme naturel lui valent d’être élu Président de l’Union des Villes et Communes de Côte d’Ivoire (UVICOCI) en 2002. Il a occupé ce poste jusqu’en décembre 2013. De 2002 à 2003 il occupe le poste de Ministre des Sports et Loisirs.

Il appartient également à plusieurs réseaux de collectivités territoriales et organisations régionales et internationales dans lesquelles il siège aux plus hautes instances dirigeantes. Monsieur François Albert AMICHIA est :

• Membre du Conseil et Gouvernements Locaux Unies d’Afrique ;
• Président du Comité de Pilotage de plusieurs  projets avec de l’Association Internationale des Maires Francophones (AIMF) ;
• Vice-président du Partenariat pour le Développement Municipal (PDM) ;
• Président Conseil des Collectivités Territoriales de des l’espace (UEMOA depuis Avril  2012 ;
•  Vice-président du Réseau Global des « Villes plus sures » depuis les Africités de Dakar 2012 ;
• Membre des instances statutaires de CGLU (Cités et Gouvernements Locaux Unis pour le mandat 2013-2016 depuis le 08 Novembre 2013.

Baffour Dokyi Amoa is the Chair of the International Advisory Council (IAC) of the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA). Mr. Amoa is currently the President of the West Africa Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA) and an active member of Controlarms serving in the past as Co-chair and member of the Steering Board. Mr. Amoa is a member of the Ghana National Commission on Small Arms and he was a member of the Steering Committee of the ECOWAS Small Arms Control Programme.

Betty Amongi is a Member of the Parliament from Uganda since 2006. With a background as a political scientist, she has an MA in International relations and Diplomatic studies. She has been much involved in the work of the Inter Parliamentary Union IPU, especially gender related work, and served as the 2nd Vice President of the IPU Women’s Bureau (2012-2014) and also the President of the 17th Women Meeting in 2012. Since 2011 she is the Chairperson of the Uganda Woman Parliamentary Association as well as the Commonwealth Women Parliamentary Association’s Uganda Chapter. Her interests and competences lie in gender and development, human rights as well as peace and security. She has also been involved in the peace talks between the government of Uganda and the Lord’s Resistance Army.

David Atwood is currently working as Senior Advisor for the Small Arms Survey. He is the former Director of the Quaker UN Office in Geneva where he also headed its Disarmament and Peace Programme. Atwood has worked on a wide range of international peace and security issues since coming to Geneva. He is a co-founder of the Geneva Forum, the joint Geneva-based peace and security initiative undertaken by QUNO with the UN Institute for Disarmament Research and the Centre on Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding of the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies. He has also been closely involved with the creation and development of the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform, a joint project of GCSP, CCDP and Interpeace. From mid-2012 to the end of 2013 he was a Visiting Fellow in the Emerging Security Challenges Programme at Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP). He has worked closely with the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development since its inception in 2006.

While his work has concentrated mainly on enabling processes on international peace and security policy with UN missions, international agencies, and non-governmental organizations, he is also a frequent lecturer, contributor to policy-related journals and publications, and active collaborator with civil society organizations in many parts of the world.

Mr. Oluwafisan B BANKALE is Programme Officer, Communication and Advocacy, in the Small Arms Division of the ECOWAS Commission since contributing to the fight against proliferation of Small Arms Light Weapons (SALW) through policy formulation, implementation and coordination towards implementation of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Their Ammunition and Other Related Materials and other related international instruments such as the UN Firearms Protocol, UNPoA. From 2006 to 2012, Mr. Bankale was designated ECOWAS Focal Point on its Advisory Board on Small Arms in the defunct ECOWAS Small Arms Programme (ECOSAP).

Between 1993-2001, Mr Bankale was Consultant to various UN agencies including the UNDP, UNICEF among others and for six years thereafter, he was Adviser, Advocacy and Gender/Head of the National Programme Advisory Unit to the UNFPA, Nigeria Country Office. An active journalist for over 15 years, he was Editor, Editor-in-chief/Chief Executive of the Sketch Press Limited based in Nigeria. A Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, member of the International Press Institute (IPI), he also is an alumnus of the University of Wales, Cardiff and the United Nations International Leadership Academy based in Amman, Jordan among others. He is Nigerian, married to Oyetayo and they have four children.

Frank Boateng Asomani is the Coordinator for the National Weapons Marking and Computerization Programme in Ghana and also the Informational Technology Manager of the Ghana National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons.

As a small arms and light weapons marking (SALW) & Information Technology Expert, He has since 2013, initiated and currently implementing the SALW marking & computerization programme in Ghana for the purpose of easy identification, accountability and tracing of every small arms and light weapons in Ghana.

He is currently leading the process of automating the National Firearms Registry of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service and the Setting up of a National Armed Violence Observatory Database in Ghana.

He has also trained Security Agencies (Armed Forces and Police) of the Republic of Sierra Leone on the marking and computerization of SALW through the Sierra Leone National Commission on Small Arms & Light Weapons (SLeNCSA).

Frank Boateng works closely with the all the Security Agencies particularly the Defence Intelligent Directorate of the Armed Forces in Ghana, the Ghana Police Service, the National Security Council and the United States Defence Attaché Office of the United State Embassy in Ghana and West Africa on issues relating to SALW, their ammunition and its related materials.

Before joining the Commission on Small Arms & Light Weapons, He worked with the United Nations development Programme in Ghana as an IT Specialist/Project Associate.

He Holds an MBA in Management Information Systems option, Bsc Computer Science, Cisco Certified Network Associates (CCNA) and certificates in Stockpile Management and SALW Foundation programmes.

Mme Boukar Yagana Mahamane Dioula
Age : 48 ans
Nationalité : Nigérienne
Statut matrimoniale : Mariée, 4 enfants
Diplôme : Maitrise en économie familiale, DESS en gestion des projets
Occupation: Directrice du Département Prévention et Gestion des Conflits à la Haute Autorité à la consolidation de la Paix
Langues Parlées : Kanouri, Haussa, Zarma, Français
Centre d’intérêt : Développement local

Robert Buluma is working with Kenya National Bureau of Statistics in the Population and Social Statistics Directorate. He has worked in the Bureau on data collection, analysis, report writing and dissemination for a period spanning 26 years. He is in charge of Governance Statistics Section where they collect data from the Governance, Justice and Security Institutions. Currently, he is the Chair for Specialised Technical Group I on Governance, Peace and Security Statistics, which is one of the 14 Thematic areas being handled by the African Union Commission's Strategy for Harmonisation of Statistics in Africa (SHaSA).

He holds BSc Degree in Statistics, Bachelor of Philosophy Degree in Economics and Master of Arts Degree in Economic Policy Management. He has been part of the teams that have worked on indicators for governance, measuring peace and security to be included in the Post 2015 Development Agenda.

Khristopher Carlson is a Senior Researcher at the Small Arms Survey where his current research emphasis includes armed conflict and firearms control in East Africa. Over the past 14 years he has conducted numerous research projects in countries including Uganda, Kenya and South Sudan concerning children and youth in armed groups, gender-based crimes perpetrated against girls and women in situations of armed conflict, as well as investigation of customary governance and justice mechanisms among pastoral groups in effort to inform regional conflict mitigation strategies and government policy. He has a background in international human rights law.

Moses Chasieh Nteh is the Country Representative for the American Friends Service Committee, AFSC Burundi. He has more than 16 years working experience with a solid background in Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation of Peacebuilding Programs. Prior to joining AFSC, he spent 4.5 years as the Strategic Planning & Monitoring and Evaluation Officer with the United Nations Office in Burundi working on Peacebuilding Programs/Projects worth about $60million from the UN Peacebuilding Fund to support the country’s Peace efforts. Earlier on, he served for 4 years as the Station Manager and M&E Officer for the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services. He also worked for 6 years prior to this mentioned positon in various capacities with the Farmers House Organization in Cameroon as the Technical Manager, Regional Manager and Research Assistant. He has Master’s Degree in Project Management from the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom with several trainings in Strategic Planning and Monitoring and Evaluation. He is a Cameroonian National and married.

Luigi De Martino is the coordinator of the Secretariat of the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development, a diplomatic initiative signed by 112 states aiming at reducing in a measurable way armed violence by 2015 (and beyond). He has worked for more than ten years as  researcher, trainer and consultant on conflict, violence and development issues. Before that, he worked for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. He holds a Master in Anthropology and a B.A. in Political Sciences.

Jebbeh Forster is a lawyer by profession, with long term experience on gender, peace building and programme management.  She was worked with UN WOMEN (former UNIFEM) since 2002 in Sierra Leone, Uganda, Sudan and now Kenya on issues of gender & women’s rights, peace building and transitional justice as Country Programme Manager, Country Representative and now Regional Peace and Security Advisor.  Some of her notable work include support for integrating gender and women’s rights in the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commissions in Sierra Leone and Liberia, women’s access to justice in the informal justice system in post conflict Sierra Leone, women’s heightened visibility in the peace process in Uganda and the UN’s commitment in Sudan to implementing Commitments 2 and 3 of the Secretary Generals’ 7 Point Action Plan on Gender Responsive Peace Building.

Married, two sons and a daughter. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Social Sciences of the University of Geneva, a Master Degree of Urban Planning of the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich and a Master Degree in International Law of Human Rights from the University of Louvain (Belgium). He has extensive humanitarian experience with the International Committee of the Red Cross (Colombia, Afghanistan and Rwanda) and has worked as election officer for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He joined the Swiss diplomatic service in 1999 (New York UN, Brussels NATO, and the Foreign Ministry in Bern, dealing mainly with human rights and humanitarian issues, as well as disarmament; in Mexico as a Deputy Head of the Embassy dealing principally with political and economic issues). Since beginning of August 2014, he is Deputy Head of Mission and Deputy Permanent Representative of Switzerland by the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) in Nairobi. He likes literature (has acted twice as juror for a Swiss Literature Prize and once for an Italian prize) and jogging (running semi-marathons and marathons).

Mr. Kabongah is currently the Director of Programmes at Africa Peace Forum (APFO); a pioneer regional NGO in the field of conflict early warning, conflict analysis, prevention and mitigation and Conflict - sensitive approaches to development, humanitarian assistance and peacebuilding. This has provided him with thorough knowledge of peace, conflicts, armed violence and developmental issues including their gender and human rights dimensions in Africa generally and the Horn of Africa region specifically.

Mr. Kabongah has a deep understanding and experience of applied research in the field of conflict causes and conflict mitigation, in-depth professional knowledge and understanding of projects that contribute to nurturing peace and enhancing development. Mr. Kabongah is the editor of Women & Conflict: Strengthening the Agenda for Peacebuilding in Kenya and was a regional researcher in the conflict causes and dynamics in the Rift valley in the book The Invisible Violence in Kenya: A Case Study of Rift Valley and western Regions.

Mr. Kabongah has comprehensive background in information collection and management, Monitoring & Evaluation as demonstrated by the various projects that he has evaluated or researched on among them being the Lead Evaluator for the UNDP/Kenya Directorate for Peacebuilding and Conflict Management–National Steering Committee on Peacebuilding and Conflict Management Final Programme Evaluation of the Consolidating the Peace Process and Establishing the Foundations for a Successful Political Transition in Kenya: 2010-2013; Lead the Team that evaluated International IDEA’s project “Pilot-testing of Electoral Risk Management Tool” that was used by IEBC during the Kenyan 2013 General Elections; and was the Lead Researcher for the baseline Survey on the state of Police & Community knowledge on Police Reforms & Principle of Public Participation in Kibera and Mishomoroni for Amnesty International-K between 15 – 29 April 2014 among others.

Mr. Kabongah holds a Master of Arts in International Studies from the Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies, University of Nairobi, Kenya; a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Transformation from SIT Graduate Institute, Program of WorldLearning, USA; and an International Diploma in Peace and Security in Africa from Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University, Sweden.

Patrick Katelo Issako was born and brought up as a peasant Pastoralist from Northern Kenya, with humble background as a true son of highly mobile Community who earn their livelihood through active mobility in the vast range land where water and pasture are available for utility. The wind of fortune came along my way and happen to be among the first to be enrolled in school by the then only urgent of development, Catholic Missionary Priest. Attended Maikona Primary School and graduated to class Five to SKM Primary School, where on completion of Primary grade, I was admitted to Moyale Secondary School, where after Form Four I did managed to join teaching profession. My noble profession as a Career Teacher was shortened after I developed interest in Community Development and joined the world of Social Development and Humanitarian Services.

In 1993 I joined FARM AFRICA Pastoralist Development Project as Education Coordinator for Marsabit, Moyale and Samburu District. On my exceptional performance warned Scholar ship to undertake Diploma in Social Development at St Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia- Canada.

After Completion I returned back to Kenya and joined Christian Childrens Fund, now renamed Child fund Kenya as Program Manager. Again Went for further Education and attained degree in Social Science from Egerton University- Njoro Campus Later Joined Norwegian Church Aid Somalia as a Program Manager.

After active service with NCA I returned back to Kenya, Marsabit County and registered a local Organization Pastoralist Community Initiative and Development Assistance (PACIDA) as a founder Member I become the first Executive Director and to date PACIDA actively work in Northern Kenya and also registered in Ethiopia as one of the leading Charity Organization.

Currently I also play Critical role as active official of Community practicing Small Arm in East Africa Region. Managed to complete my Masters in Conflict Resolution and Peace Building. Played crucial role in Community peace dialogue and voluntarily disarmament in the Northern Corridor covering Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. A great team player in peace and negotiation among the worrying Communities of Northern Kenya. A well re known Social Scientist and rolled out several development wing like Community Conservancies to minimize human and wild life Conflict. Currently also National Chairman of Kenya Camel Association and County Education Board respectively.

Jeniffer Katusya is currently a researcher at the Security Research and Information Centre –on the National Crime Observatory Project. Before joining SRIC she had worked in Mogadishu –Somalia for 2 years as a Program Manager with Bancroft Global Development – a U.S based Security Company contracted by the United Nations Mine Action and US State Department to support the AMISOM mandate in Mogadishu. She has worked previously with USAID –Office of Transition Initiatives as a Communications Specialist. She did her internship with the Institute for Security Studies –African Conflict Prevention Program as research trainee.) . She has brief experience working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs- Foreign Affairs Institute on Research and Training).

She is an adept researcher with honed experienced in research on security, governance, diplomacy and post conflict stabilization initiatives. A strategic thinker, committed and creative team leader, and highly effective networker and fundraiser, she is able to motivate individuals and bring groups together to develop new approaches and solutions and deliver high-quality work. Jeniffer holds a graduate degree in international Relations from the United Stated Sates International University Kenya (2011) and Bachelors Degree in Education from Kenyatta University (2008).

Amb. Kiplagat was born on 28th November 1936 and is married with 3 adult children.  He attended Alliance High School after which he proceeded to Makerere University where he graduated in Physics and Chemistry. He later on left for Sorborne University and studied Sociology of Religion. He worked with international organizations such as World Council of Churches, in charge of Student Christian Federation, which gave him an opportunity to travel extensively in Asia, Europe and especially Africa where he got acquainted with the problems in Africa.

As Deputy Secretary General of National Christian Council of Churches, he was Secretary to church and society committee which dealt with national, political, social and economic issues, for example who controls industries in Kenya, land ownership, community relations and reconciliation and also preparation for transition from Kenyatta to Moi.

He was Ambassador to France and later to the United Kingdom, and then Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs for close to nine years where he initiated peace processes for Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, Ethiopia and the Great Lakes, work which culminated in the signing of the peace agreements for Somalia and Kenya.He was Kenya’s Special Envoy for Somalia National Reconciliation Conference a job which he carried on until December 2005 after the formation of Somalia Transitional Federal Government.

He served as the Chairman of Eminent Person of Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) which evaluates governance in a holistic way covering both government and private sector with a strong emphasis on democratic value and human rights.  He was the Lead Panelist for Nigeria, Egypt, Mozambique etc.

He served as Chairman Committee of Eminent Persons on Constitution Review Process; the team of experts used that recommendation to implement the writing of the new constitution. He is now the Chairman Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC).  He is also serving as an Ambassador for Peace of the African Union for Peace and Security Campaign, and member of the COMESA Elder.

He was the Chairman of the first Micro Credit Finance Bank in Africa (K-Rep), focusing on alleviation of poverty and was the Chief Executive Africa Peace Forum. He has also been Chairman and Board Members of Nairobi Hospital, Nairobi Security Exchange. And still a member of Board of Directors of Car and General, K-Rep Bank, K-Rep Group, General Accident. He was also the Chancellor Egerton University. He has recently been appointed in the Team of Facilitators and Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for the South Sudan Crisis.

He is the founder of Africa Peace Forum which contribute to effective conflict management and the promotion of peace and security in Africa.

Kisiangani Emmanuel joined the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) on 15 November 2010 as a Senior Researcher in the African Conflict Prevention Programme (ACCP), Pretoria Office. He holds a PhD in Political Studies and International Relations from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, a MA in Diplomacy and International Studies from the University of Nairobi (Kenya) and a BA Hons (Philosophy and Linguistics)from Egerton University (Kenya). Before joining ISS, Dr Kisiangani worked as a Senior Researcher at the Institute for Global Dialogue`s Africa Programme and had previously worked in various research and teaching capacities in South Africa and Kenya. Dr Kisiangani is the author of Transitional Justice and Conflict Transformation, A Tenable Nexus? The Case of South Africa`s Truth and Reconciliation Commision(VDM Verlag: Saarbrucken, 2010) and has also published widely in his areas of interest which include; Transitional Justice and Human Rights, Conflict Management and Peace building, Political Governance, Africa`s International Relations and Diplomatic Discourse.

Lizette Lancaster is the manager of the South African Crime and Justice Information and Analysis Hub (Crime Hub) at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) since 2010. For the past five years she has focused on the development, management and enhancement of the Crime Hub as a user-friendly, one-stop interactive source of information and analysis on crime, its prevention and the functioning of the criminal justice system in South Africa. Previously, she was the head of research at Development Research Africa, a national socio-economic research organisation. For more than a decade, she managed several large-scale research projects, including perception and victimization surveys, service delivery assessments and policy impact evaluations. Her clients included, among others, the national police and justice departments as well as numerous donor agencies. She holds a commerce degree specializing in law, a post-graduate degree in law (LL.B) and a Masters degree in Development Studies.

Leonardo Lara is the Political Affairs Officer and Deputy Director at the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC). Before joining UNREC, he was the desk officer for Africa at the Regional Disarmament Branch of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs in New York. Previously he served as Political Affairs Officer and Electoral Officer at the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO).  Leonardo Lara holds a master’s degree in public policy, with a focus on international policy and policy analysis, from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, where he was a Fulbright Scholar. He holds a communications degree from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello in Caracas, where he also carried out postgraduate studies in governance and political management.

Yodit Lemma is the Project Coordinator of the Small Arms Survey’s Human Security Baseline Assessment (HSBA) for Sudan and South Sudan. Prior to joining the HSBA in 2014, she was the Regional Conflict, Gender and Insecurities Policy Advisor for Oxfam’s Regional Horn and Central Africa Office in Nairobi. In 2012 she worked as a Peace Mediation consultant on South Sudan for the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue’s mediation effort between the Government of South Sudan and the South Sudan Democratic Movement. In 2011 she was the Political Reporting Officer for the United Nations Mission to South Sudan in Yambio, Western Equatoria State, where she reported on the Lord’s Resistance Army and worked on local reconciliation efforts. In 2010-11 she served as the Special Assistant to the UN Special Representative to the UN Secretary General for Sudan, based in Khartoum. Previously she was a Project Officer with the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue’s Africa Regional Office.

Annie Matundu Mbambi is a Gender and Development Consultant and activist on women rights with 18 years’ experience, especially campaigning for gender mainstreaming and the elimination of all forms of violence against women.  She holds a double Master’s degree in Public Finance and Economic Planning from the state University of Antwerp-Belgium. Previously, she served as Manager of the Centre Protestant d’Approvisionnement en Médicaments de l’E.C.C. Currently, Annie Matundu Mbambi is the representative and Chair Lady of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF-DRC). Her special focus is on gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment and particularly on UNSCR 1325 by doing the link with the small arms.  She works to promote social entrepreneurship for women and is engaged in establishing small bakeries and cooperative farms for women on the outskirt of Kinshasa, to enable women to generate income generating revenue while receiving some education. Also active with women in politics, Ms. Matundu Mbambi is the Vice –President of Action des Femmes du Bas fleuve, working on gender and climate change, a member of CAFCO, AWID, IANSA GNWP, Peace Women Peace and a Board Executive member of Genre en Action. Her most recent focus is on monitoring indicators of UNSCR 1325; monitoring the Peace and Security Cooperation Framework on DRC and the region, and the New Deal in fragile states, focusing on DRC. She is also a member of Advisor Consultative of UN Women in DRC and Focal Point /Pool Kinshasa of Peace and Security Cooperation Framework on DRC and the region.

Mr. George Morara is a Commissioner and the Vice-Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human rights (KNCHR).  The KNCHR is a national human rights institution with a constitutional and statutory mandate to promote and enhance the enjoyment of human rights in Kenya. Mr. Morara previously worked as a Senior Programme Officer, Civil and Political Rights, at the Kenya Human Rights Commission, (KHRC) a non-governmental organization. While at the KHRC, and working with a broad coalition of partners both within and outside Kenya, Mr. Morara played a key role in advocating for justice—from the British Government—for the victims of armed conflict who had suffered torture and other forms of ill-treatment during Kenya’s emergency period of 1952 to 1960. He has also worked as a Consultant for a number of Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies; Non-Governmental Organizations and International Organizations. Mr. Morara has a solid understanding of Kenya’s social-economic and political challenges and their impact on the country’s efforts at establishing a human rights state; a deep appreciation of diversity; and extensive experience in national and international human rights and development contexts.  Mr. Morara has led teams of human rights experts and practitioners in conducting research as well as in monitoring and documenting human rights violations in various conflict-prone regions in Kenya.  He is a skilled trainer on the human rights based approach to development and its application in the promotion of a human rights state in Kenya.  Mr. Morara holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) from the University of Toronto (Canada) and a Master of Political Science Degree from the University of Windsor (Canada). He has also received extensive training in the fields of Education and Legal Studies in Kenya and Canada respectively.

Jonathan Mueke is the Deputy Governor of Nairobi City County. Passionate about issues of youth, Jonathan brings to the top leadership of the County youthfulness, technology know how, project management, entrepreneurial and transformative leadership skills — just what Nairobi needs to face the challenges of youth unemployment, infrastructure development, service delivery, inefficiency and change management.

 Jonathan’s leadership potential has been identified in both professional and political spheres, earning him honors locally and abroad, including being an elected member of Strathmore Who’s Who in leadership (USA). He was also the founding President of the Kenya Community Abroad, Michigan Chapter and is an alumnus of Sunwords exclusive leadership unusual FFWD program.

As Deputy Governor, his office has direct responsibility for the ICT sector, county executive committee coordination, sub-county administration, intergovernmental relations, community development projects and special projects.

Tim Mugerwa is a social entrepreneur, Pan-African activist and President of the African Youth Union (AYU) with extensive experience in African youth policies and advocacy. AYU is Pan-African youth organization boasting the largest representation on the continent.  As AYU President, he provides continental youth policy leadership within Africa and identifies emerging regional issues of Africa’s significance for the attention of African youth, national chapters, and other partners.

Ms. Ida Nganga is the Head of Communications and Mentor for the African Union Youth Working Group (AU YWG) which was established following the African Union (AU) consultation with youth on the Agenda 2063, in Hammamet, Tunisia in November 2013 under the auspices of the African Governance Architecture.

She is leading the communications team to 'Silence the Guns' www.dgtrends.org by enhancing the participation of youth on the continent in democracy and governance. This includes a continent wide civic education campaign led by national coordinators in the African Union (AU) member states. She calls for youth engagement and citizen participation.

The high level dialogue trends held in Dakar, from 30 – 31 November, 2014 will be remembered for its extensive use of social media to facilitate citizen participation during its sessions. During the Session featuring H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo former President of Nigeria, Dr. Noha Bakr Ass. Minister International Co-operation Egypt, Ms. Thuli Mandosela of the Ombudsman in South Africa and H.E. Dr. Brice Parfait Kolelas Minister of Public Service & State Reforms Republic of Congo, Cyrille Guel an AU YWG member begun tweeting the events from Burkina Faso and tagging the hashtag ‪#‎DGTrends, catalyzing the fastest AU response to a crisis. A press conference was held in 20 minutes and a delegation deployed immediately to Burkina Faso.

Eric Niragira, a former combatant in Burundi, founded CEDAC in 2005 to fight armed violence and assist ex-combatants. CEDAC has received support from CISR,AOAV,Search For Common Ground, UNDP and the United Nations Development Fund for Women to undertake its peace-building and development initiatives, armed violence reduction and victim assistance. Winner of the Niarchos Prize 2010, which honors individuals who promote resilience in conflict-affected areas, Niragira is involved in several projects to promote the rights of victims of conflicts in Burundi. He is selected by AOAV  in 2013 among 100 influent personalities on combating armed violence and by Control Arms in 2014 among 50 personalities around world who contributed to achieve a UN  Armed Trade Treaty. In addition to his work in Africa, Eric serves as a Global Adviser to the International University Center Haiti (http://www.unihaiti.net/about-us).

Have over two decades of public sector, private sector and academic management experience – including high level institutional management and capacity building in peace-building process facilitation and conflict transformation.  Presently Interim Senior Peace and Governance Advisor at UNRO in Kenya. I have served in similar positions at UNDP-Ghana –providing advisory services on peace-building and governance issues to UN Country Team, government and CSOs. Served as Senior Dialogue and Consultative Process Advisor in the Office of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the implementation of the Presidential Initiative on the Niger Delta; served as UNDP consultant on capacity development in conflict transformation and dialogue processes in Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe – including leading dialogue processes in Zimbabwe; as UN Technical Advisor to the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) in Sierra Leone; training of political parties, CSOs, government officials in facilitation, mediation and convening of dialogue forums for effective group processes. I have recently provided peace-building programme development support to UNDP offices in Malawi, Lesotho, Uganda and Pakistan.

Abdullahi Odowa is the General-Director of Somali Observatory of Conflict and Violence Prevention (OCVP), which is an independent, non-governmental and not for profit organization that seeks to track peacebuilding and state building processes and progresses in Somalia. Mr. Odowa, also teaches graduate courses on Social Research and Environment, Peace and Development at Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies at University of Hargeisa. Mr. Odowa has BSC from University of Maiduguri in Nigeria and MA in Natural Resources and Peace from United Nations Mandated University for Peace in Costa Rica. He worked as research consultant with various international humanitarian and research agencies including CARE INTERNATIONAL, ActionAid International, International Peace Support Training Center and Global Center on Cooperative Security. He further designed and supervises District Conflict and Security Assessments, which are on-going district level assessments in all regions of Somalia and implemented by Observatory (http://www.ocvp.org/resources/district-conflict-and-security-assessment-reports).

Irene is the Chief Executive Officer - Usalama Reforms Forum which is a civic platform that promotes evidence based approaches to leveraging production of safe and secure communities in Kenya. The organization develops models for crime and violence prevention, criminal justice reform, rights based approaches to security sector development and Alternative Dispute Resolution that act as springboards for generating knowledge on how to build and sustain viable Community Safety Schemes. Usalama consolidates evidence for policy, future legislation and institutional development. The forum consists of 16 International and Kenyan organizations.

Until April 2013, Irene was the Chief Social Secretary in the Office of The former Prime Minister. She has also served as Executive Director - The League of Kenya Women Voters, coordinated the  “Engendering Kenya’s Political Processes Programme” and spent 4 years coordinating in a relief, reintegration and rehabilitation program for the disadvantaged, internally displaced and returnee population in North West Somalia (Somaliland).  Irene holds a Masters of Arts (MA) in Diplomacy from Nairobi University, an Advance Management qualification (AMP) from University of Nevarra/ IESE Business School/ Barcelona, Spain and a Bachelor of Commerce (Taxation) from University of Bhopal, India.

Dr Probert is a Senior Researcher at the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria and a Research Associate at the Centre of Governance and Human Rights at the University of Cambridge. He works as a consultant to the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Prof. Christof Heyns, focusing on establishing a framework within which to monitor unlawful killings across the African continent. Together they have established an Unlawful Killings Unit at the Centre for Human Rights which collates reporting, conducts research and engages practitioners on right-to-life issues.

Simon Rynn is the regional director for Danish Demining Group (DDG), a unit within Danish Refugee Council. He has worked as a technical adviser and manager on conflict, local governance, security and justice projects in Africa, South Asia and South Eastern Europe. Previous employers include the UN and Saferworld. 

Dr. Shweta Sandilya is presently working as Education Specialist with UNICEF Kenya. She comes from India. Over last 12 years she has been working in the different areas of education from preprimary to secondary education. She is a certified Teacher Educator and Trainer. She has worked in the area of policy development, program implementation and coordination towards implementation of quality education for adolescent particularly girls. She is a champion of Child Friendly School Framework as a tool for peacebuilding education and resilience in school system.

Christopher Wakube works for Saferworld, an independent international organization whose mission is to prevent violent conflict and build safer lives, as the Country Manager for Kenya. The Kenya Programme comprises of 5 projects which focus on police reforms, conflict early warning and response, illicit small arms and light weapons control, conflict sensitive governance and research on political settlements. He joined Saferworld in January 2013 bringing with him 12 years’ experience in community development work acquired from project implementation as well as consultancy work. Christopher was previously Senior Programme Officer with Pact Inc.  supporting the Kenya Civil Society Strengthening Program (KCSSP). While working for the Program he undertook capacity development of national and local civil society organizations doing peacebuilding and conflict management work in Kenya. Prior to that he worked for Pact Kenya as Program Officer in the Peacebuilding and Conflict Management team and also has worked as Project Manager for Koinonia Community in charge of one of their street children rehabilitation programs. Among the consultancies he has been engaged in include; conducting trainings and facilitating evaluation and research activities for local and international NGOs such as Koinonia Community (Kenya and Sudan), Action Africa Help International - Capacity Building for Post Conflict Reintegration Project (South Sudan), World Vision Rwanda - Healing Peace and Reconciliation Program and Coalition for Peace in Africa (COPA). Christopher holds a Master of Business Administration (Strategic Management) degree from University of Nairobi, a Bachelor of Philosophy degree from Pontifical Urbaniana University and a Diploma in Philosophy and Religious studies from Consolata Institute of Philosophy. He has a certificate in Project Management in Development from APMG.

Mr Gerard Wandera is a Deputy Director and a Senior Principal Lecturer in Public Policy and Procurement at the Kenya School of Government and Coordinator for the Crime Prevention Training. He has worked extensively with public sector capacity building of the police in management and leadership competencies. The co-author of policing the periphery; opportunities and challenges of Kenya Police Reserve; crime and violence amongst the Turkana of Northern Kenya, Wandera has research interests in devolution and security and emerging conflict in the extractive industry, especially oil and gas.

Nicola Williams is the Coordinator of the Global Alliance on Armed Violence (GAAV), a coalition of 150 actors in 58 countries working to prevent and reduce armed violence. Nicola has worked for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (Crisis Prevention and Recovery) and INGOs including Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future and the Australian Red Cross. Her work has spanned global, regional, national and local levels in numerous contexts highly affected by violence and conflict. Her areas of expertise include: gender, peace and security; democracy transitions and peace-building; arms control and armed violence reduction; and sustainable development. Nicola’s work has continually focused on empowering civil society stakeholders, be that through policy advocacy, research or training. She has contributed articles to the United Nations News Centre in New York and has produced publications on justice in post-conflict contexts, gender, peace and security. Nicola's qualifications include undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in journalism, and a Masters of International Development from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). She is a member of the Small Arms Survey (SAS) International Programme Council.