Through this seminar entitled: "Dialogue for peace in post-conflict Africa ACQUIRED AND CURRENT DILEMMAS", CIRID continues its specialization in the organization of dialogues on the situation of African countries having or still going through conflicts, with the aim  to draw the attention of the diplomatic and international, governmental and non-governmental community (including the private sector in what is already known as the PPP (Public Private Partnership) on the importance of International Geneva as a that ideal place of reflections and putting in relation of the protagonists of a conflict with a view to a solution.

The seminar targets 3 regions: The "hard core" of Africa's Great Lakes, the Maghreb (including the Sahel zone which includes Western Sahara, Mauritania and Mali as well as the Horn of Africa (Somalia and Eritrea) , potential future members of the prolific East African Community, EAC). We want to promote the concept of peacebuilding adopted by the UN by trying to identify the good practices recorded and the challenges to be met by drawing on our experience in Burundi where CIRID, despite limited means has played a recognized role today.

This seminar is an integral part of the concept of continuing professional development initiated 15 years ago (image opposite) and which tends to consolidate better.

What is the problem?

The world is witnessing today unprecedented diplomatic and strategic upheavals. And, to this day, despite triumphalist and warlike speeches, no one can question the importance of dialogue as an irreplaceable tool for more sustainable conflict management.

In some cases, indeed, one of the greatest poverties we have to overcome is above all the absence of men of value, who recognize this importance and at the same time master the knowledge of the issues involved. In the field of sustainable development, human security or the management of issues as concrete as that of migration, this poverty is surely the most revealing of the current shortcomings.

But mastery of the issues means at the same time mastery of the knowledge of international realities and negotiation techniques implemented with the holders of the powers at various levels in a world in disorder. And this is not a question of giving, but of experience and specialized training, obtained in particular thanks to a quality exchange, initiated in the environment in which the major decisions are taken.

This is the case in Geneva, which hosts a quarterly session of the Human Rights Council, the most important UN body where the cross-cutting themes of global governance are discussed.

What about Africa?

In the opinion of all serious and known peace-makers, it is advisable to call for a mobilization of opinion for innovative thinking that would help relieve the spirits "undermined" by the many complex problems that beset this continent. Starting with a reflection on the gains already made in dialogue on conflict management and Geneva, with its unique infrastructure has undeniable assets on this point