Dates: 25-27 March 2009
Place: Nairobi, Kenya
Introduction
The main objectives of the in-house seminar will be to discuss and review the literature review prepared by the resource persons, and to review the results of the field trip conducted to northern Kenya from 16 to 21 March 2009 in a bid to identify target groups and relevant stakeholders. The overall objective of the project on human insecurity in the North Rift and North East Kenya is to conduct research and training activities to reduce vulnerability and increase the security of communities affected by conflict in Northern Kenya. The project aims at building the capacity of the community and empowering vulnerable groups affected by conflict through identification and promotion of sustainable livelihoods and conflict management strategies. The goal of the capacity-building and conflict management programmes is to empower people through the exchange of information, promotion of knowledge, and enhancement of skills for improved livelihoods; and to enable the local community to deal with conflicts in a sustainable manner. Through identification and promotion of both sustainable livelihood and conflict management strategies, the project attempts to address the two aspects of human security: freedom from fear (conflict) and freedom from want (creation of sustainable livelihoods).
Objectives
More specifically, the project aims to:
- Identify and address human security concerns arising out of conflict, migration, and cattle rustling in Northern Kenya;
- Study and propose best practices of increasing human security at the local level through community mobilization and the creation of sustainable livelihoods;
- Impart training on human security and establish methods for identifying individuals and communities who are vulnerable to conflicts, and economic, social, cultural, and environmental threats;
- Identify the roles and responsibilities of the various agencies involved in development and conflict management issues to create complementary partnerships for human security;
- To disseminate the findings and results of the project widely to the various stakeholders in government, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and bilateral and multilateral agencies concerned; and
- Seek the means to integrate human security issues into regional development policies by including a human security orientation in their action plans.
(Office: UNCRD Africa Office)