Pan African Strategic and Policy Research Group, PANAFSTRAG Pan African Strategic and Policy Research Group (PANAFSTRAG) Established in 1992, the Pan African Strategic and Policy Research Group (PANAFSTRAG), formerly known as the African Strategic and Peace Research Group is an independent, non-governmental, action-oriented advocacy and consultancy research organization outfitted for analyzing strategic and human security problems in Africa and the Diaspora. Pan-AFSTRAG takes into consideration the political, economic, military, technological and socio-cultural conditions concerning Africans and its Descendants worldwide. PanAFSTRAG is the consequence of a challenge thrown by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter during his opening address at the African-Soviet-US Cooperation-Study in Regional Conflicts/Diplomatic Initiatives Conference, held October 29, 1991 at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos. In that address, he wondered why active and former African leaders, academics, diplomats, military, international civil servants and public officers were not interested in creating non-governmental institutions: 1. To carry out action-oriented research and studies on wider African human security problems. 2. To implement and offer solutions to assisting governance in solving their own problems. President Carter urged Africans to take leadership in solving their own problems. At the end of the conference, a group of West African diplomats, military and public officers and academics met in Lagos and Minna respectively to deliberate on this challenge. After a series of discussions and visits to USA and the then USSR by Mrs. Margaret Vogt, then Coordinator, an African Center for Conflict Resolution was to be created in Lagos initially in the same location but independent of the NIIA. This did not materialize because of the breakup of the Soviet Union. In its place, the same group including those from outside Nigeria created AFSTRAG. ORGANIZATION Ø African Diaspora Issues Ø Gender and Youth Issues; AU 6th Region initiatives; implementation & review of the DDPA 2001; Issues regarding Reparations; African centred Education/History; Repair of values & norms; Ø Pan-African Investment Ø EntrepreneurShip, Technology and Trade, Ø Political Stability, Governance and Security in Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America Ø Disaster Prevention and Management Ø Restorative Justice Ø Refugees and Internally Displaced People (humanitarian action) //////// PROGRAM/PROJECTS PANAFSTRAG has executed projects and programs in the West, East and Central Africa. West Africa Institute of Peace and Sustainable Development Studies- Minna, Nigeria The Center is a program that trains African practitioners with the intellectual and practical skills for conflict management, analysis to prevent and manage conflicts and peacebuilding in Africa through new and responsive mechanisms. It will also be the Regional Training Centre for Disaster Management. 2003 Accra Peace Accord – Liberia General A. Abubakar (President of AFSTRAG Intl. and former Head of State of Nigeria) and Rtd. Maj-Gen. Ishola Williams (Executive Secretary of AFSTRAG Intl.) were the mediators that brought about a peaceful resolution to Liberia’s 14-year civil war and an elected interim government. Harmonization of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Mutual Assistance on Defense (MAD) and the Accord of Non-Aggressive Defense (ANAD) through establishment of a Joint Conflict Mechanism, a West African States cooperation on issues of regional security, which AFSTRAG participated in. Publishing five books: "Nigeria in International Peacekeeping", "Peace Keeping as a Security Strategy in Africa: The Case of Chad and Liberia", "Civil Society and Ethnic Conflict Management in Nigeria", "Civil Wars, Child Soldiers & Post Conflict Peace Building in West Africa" and Civil Societies, Good Governance and the Challenges of Regional Security in West Africa". Development of Database of institutions, literature and individuals working in areas of peace and security in Africa. Central Africa An adopted Plan of Action for Human Security Mechanism in Central Africa with focus on: 1. Small Arms and Light Weapons 2. Operational zing COPAX for Political Stability and Public Safety 3. Centre for Electoral Assistance, all in collaboration with CSOs in the region, ECCAS, UN Human Right Office in Yaounde and UNREC in Lome. East African Community and Great Lakes Consultative Forum on "Developing a Human Security Mechanism for East African Community (EAC) and the Great Lake held in collaboration with the Kenyan Coalition Against Landmines (KCAL). This led to the production of a comprehensive proposal on a Human Security Mechanism for action on the EAC and Great Lakes. Addis Abeba Ethiopië Consultatieve Forum regarding the integration of the civiel society in all five regions in Afrika. Addis Abeba Ethiopië Consultatieve Forum regarding Durban Review (2007) Divers Fora en projects in the Caribean, South and Latin America and Europe with th eobjective to inventorise and discuss th eway to reunitie and cooperatie woith the Dispaora family for th eimplementation of Pan Afstrags Goal. In Europe lay down the basis for the start of th eimplementtaion of the AU 6th Region initiative and deliver active input for the Durban Review regarding Africans and Peoples of African Descents. ///////////////// Finance As a non-governmental and not-for-profit organization, Pan-AFSTRAG management does not receive subvention from government. Pan-AFSTRAG generates its funds from the under-listed sources. * Annual Subscription from members * Donations * Donors (National/International Agencies) * Endowments * Projects Sponsorship