International Conference on Peace and International Relations

Oct 8, 2014 | Hekima Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations (HPSIR)
Nairobi, Kenya

The objective of the International Conference on Peace and International Relations is to stimulate strategic response to the challenges of national healing and reconciliation in African countries, such as Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Syria,, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Burundi, Sierra Leone and Kenya., among others, while looking at the diverse policy formulation and implementation opportunities in addressing the needs around transitional justice. In a number of post conflict societies in Africa there has been a general impasse on the way forward in addressing issues of justice, compensation, accountability, healing and reconciliation. It is therefore fundamental that as civil society, government, academic and religious institutions we explore ways in which we can find long lasting solutions to our fragmented societies. 

One of the expected outcomes is that this conference creates an international platform to discuss how different countries in Africa have responded to the challenges of transitional justice and post conflict peacebuilding. The diverse contextual analyses from the continent will further enhance discussions and policy recommendations on how different countries in Africa (particularly Kenya) could carry forward the process of healing and reconciliation. The papers presented at the conference will be peer-reviewed and published in the Institute’s upcoming journal – Africa Peace Studies Journal and regular policy briefs. 

Hekima Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations (HIPSIR), in consultation with different stake holders, is keen to develop a post-conference strategy towards policy formulation and implementation, while taking into account the complex nature of the transitional justice process. This will hopefully set the stage for multilateral engagement with all the concerned local, regional and international actors (governments, civil society, African Union, IGAD, etc) in the search for sustainable peace and development in Africa.