FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2018
Contacts:
- Shotunde Biola, ACSS-Nigeria, acsslistnigeria@gmail.com
- CIVIC, comms@civiliansinconflict.org
Joint Workshop Brings Together Government and Civil Society to Discuss National Policy on the Protection of Civilians
Gathering is a next step toward adoption of globally-lauded policy to ensure civilian harm mitigation measures across security operations
GUDU, ABUJA, NIGERIA – On June 28, 2018, the Alumni Nigeria Chapter of the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) and the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) will jointly host an invite-only workshop on the protection of civilians in conflict situations. The organizations are honored to welcome representatives and experts from the Government of Nigeria, the National Human Rights Commission, the ACSS community, and Nigerian civil society.
“A common feature of modern day armed conflicts is that civilians have in many instances become the major victims. The current draft of the Nigerian National Policy on the Protection of Civilians and Civilian Harm Mitigation, which has been globally recognized, including by the UN Secretary-General, seeks to address that problem, restore peace, and prevent further conflict,” Major General Shehu Yusuf (Rtd), President ACSS Alumni, (Nigeria Chapter) observed. “Indeed, it recognizes the importance of peace and security in Nigeria and the valuable contribution of this tool to conflict management. As a vanguard of security experts in Nigeria, we are very much committed to leverage this very important tool by domesticating its usefulness through continuous advocacy and awareness education within civil population as a means towards mitigating civilian casualties in conflict.”
“The Nigerian Government understands that ensuring national security and civilian safety are not mutually exclusive,” noted William Meeker, Director of CIVIC’s Africa Program. “Civilians and members of the military alike are calling for the adoption and implementation of this pioneering policy, which would further demonstrate the government’s commitment to the effective protection of civilians.”
The workshop will share both civilian and security sector perspectives to armed conflict, with focus on Northeast Nigeria. Experts will provide insights on Nigeria’s draft policy and its benefits before attendees form working groups for discussion and feedback.
Attendance at the workshop is by invitation only, but all are encouraged to join the conversation on social media, including #NigeriaProtects.
Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS)
The Africa Centre for Strategic Studies Alumni Association (Nigeria Chapter) is an alumni association of the ACSS Washington DC after members are deemed to have attended a short academic program offered by the center. The Alumni Association is well over 15 years in existence, with over 300 memberships in Nigeria. The ACSS office address is situated at the National Defence College, Abuja. The core objectives of the association are:
- To promote the noble ideals of National Security, Sustainable Development and Rule of Law through active research, consultations and learning from ACSS Washington and all related institutions across the globe towards a better society.
- To promote knowledge sharing, passionate loyalty to the nation, unity, self-respectand co-operation among the Alumni of ACSS.
- To strengthen the link between the Alumni and the ACSS Chapters in Africa.
- To interact with other organizations or association with similar aims and objectives.
Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC)
Center for Civilians in Conflict is an international nonprofit based in Washington, DC with operations around the world. CIVIC’s mission is to work with armed actors and civilians to develop and implement solutions to prevent, mitigate, and respond to civilian harm. Established in 2003 as the Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict (CIVIC), the organization was founded by Marla Ruzicka, a young American activist and humanitarian who saw first-hand the impacts of conflict on civilians, including casualties and their surviving family members. In April 2005, Marla was tragically killed by a suicide bomber in Baghdad. She died advocating for civilian war victims and their families. Since then, CIVIC has continued her extraordinary legacy and expanded its presence around the world. In Nigeria, CIVIC facilitates community self-protection and civil-military dialogue in the northeast, in addition to delivering training to security actors, primarily the Nigerian military, on the protection of civilians. Visit civiliansinconflict.org.
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Source: Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC)
Media Contacts:
Shotunde Biola, ACSS-Nigeria Communications
acsslistnigeria@gmail.com /+2348023006990
CIVIC Communications
comms@civiliansinconflict.org /+1(202)709-7537
