MEDIA ADVISORY

The 6^th Session of the AU Humanitarian Law and Policy Training Programme (Livingstone Syllabus)

INVITATION TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

What: The 6^th Session of the AU Humanitarian Law and Policy Training Programme (Livingstone Syllabus)

When: Monday, 28 – Wednesday, 30 August 2023‎

Where: Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika in Bujumbura, the Republic of Burundi

Who: The Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs & Social Development (HHS) of the African Union Commission (AUC), International Federation of the Red Cross, and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Why:

Considering the dire humanitarian situation faced by many countries which was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the training will equip those actors in the humanitarian line of work, to broaden their understanding of the international legal framework and to come up with innovative solutions in handling humanitarian situation.

The course is tailored for African policy-makers and civil servants to deepen their understanding of international and regional instruments.

Objectives:

1. Introduce and sensitize participants on Africa’s vision, doctrine, and new humanitarian architecture (tools, institutions, legal and policy frameworks), as an overarching framework for AU’s humanitarian action;
2. Inform State and non-state actors on guiding principles and Ideals informing AU humanitarian action;
3. Promote the respect of international standards relevant to the asylum and protection domain for refugees and IDPs and other categories of persons of concern in need of protection;
4. Further the dialogue on issues of durable solutions in the context of state obligations and emerging policy trends regarding the AU paradigm shift from relief to development;
5. Promote the Rights and Nationalities of Stateless Persons Protocol;
6. Promote the Free Movement Protocol;
7. Popularization of the African Humanitarian Agency;
8. Promote the understanding of inclusion of Refugees, Internally Displaced Persons, and in national Socio-economic strategies and Policies.

Expected outcomes:

The course seeks to reinforce calls by the Assembly to promote the implementation of AU Instruments and its vision laid out in the AU Agenda 2063 as well as an understanding of Pan-African Ideals and doctrine. The ultimate impact of the course is to achieve the effective protection and assistance of affected persons, through an improved understanding of the provisions in these Instruments and their effective implementation.

The course is also a pillar for the effective functioning of the African Humanitarian Agency through capacity building of member states to be able to adequately respond to the humanitarian situation in the continent. The course is linked to AU’s 10-year humanitarian action plan to achieve these objectives. The elements of this action plan include sensitization, capacity building, and training of different tiers of government (executive, judiciary, and legislature) and non-state actors.

Participation at the event:

The 6^th Session will run for four days. It will be attended by the AU Commission, African Ambassadors accredited to Ethiopia and Permanent Representatives to the AU, Experts, and members of Parliament from AU Member States, Representatives of AU Organs and Regional Economic Communities and key stakeholders, Media, and Youth Representatives.

Representatives of the media are invited to cover the event.

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Rita Amukhobu, Ag. Head Humanitarian Affairs Division, AU Commission, Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development | E-mail: AmukhobuR@africa-union.org

For media inquiries, please contact:

Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communications Directorate | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
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