The West Africa region is beset by numerous security challenges (e.g. ethnic conflict, state-collapse, terrorism). To tackle these issues, regional actors, such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and external partners (such as the EU or the UN) require access to cutting-edge research. WAPSN was established in 2015 to co-generate and transfer research expertise between academic and policy practitioners working on West African Security.
Following the success of the inaugural symposium experts from West Africa, Europe and North America gathered again in Accra (Ghana) on 28-29 April to focus on the theme of Peace Support Operations. The event hosted again by the Kofi Annan Peace Keeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) was made possible thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR) at the University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom, the Centre for Peace and Humanitarian Missions Studies at the Université de Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Canada and, the Centre for European Integration (ZEI) at the University of Bonn, Germany.
Presentations and debates were very stimulating highlighting the need for such inclusive fora to discuss in depth complex issues and seek avenues to address them. For the final symposium programme, click here (PDF).