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18 Sep 2012

International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister  Marius Fransman will deliver a keynote address at a workshop on “The Somali Diaspora in South Africa: Supporting Peace and Reconstruction in Somalia”, organised by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), in partnership with the Somali Council for Research and Development (SOMCORD) and the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD).

The two-day workshop brings together the South African-Somali Diaspora and South African stakeholders to share ideas on how best to contribute towards Somali peace-building, reconstruction and development.

The day 20 August 2012 saw Somalia, with the support of the international community, adopting a new Constitution that will serve as a basis for taking the country forward. With the election of the new President on 10 September 2012, a new chapter has been opened which has the potential to see Somalia take its rightful place in the international community.

Reconciliation, reconstruction and development of Somalia are all critical elements necessary to ensure that durable peace is achieved. The task of responding to this challenge rests on all Somalis, including the Diaspora.

One of the outcomes of the workshop will be the launch of the South African Somali Diaspora Forum.

All media are invited as follows:

Date: 19 to 20 September 2012 
Time: 08h30
Venue: African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel, Century City, Cape Town

Programme:

Wednesday, 19 September 2012

8:30 - 9:00    Tea/Coffee/Registration

Programme Director: Mr Fadl Nacerodien: Chief Director: The Policy research and Analysis Unit, DIRCO

9:00 - 9:10 Welcome

• Mr Vasu Gounden: Executive Director: The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD)

9:10 - 9:20 Opening Address

• Mahad Omar Abdi: Chair of the Somali Research and Development  Council (SOMCORD)

9:20 - 9:45  Key Note Address: South Africa’s role in Peace building in Somalia

• Mr Marius Fransman, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, DIRCO

9:45 – 10:15  Somalia: State of the Nation

• Ambassador Sayid Sharif Hassan: Somali Ambassador designate to South Africa

10:15 - 10:30   Tea/ Coffee Break

Session 1:  From War to Post Transition Peace: The Journey towards Stability

Facilitator: University of Western Cape: Dr Thierry Luscher-Mamasela

10:15 – 10:35  A Historical Perspective: War and Post War

• Mr Addulkadir H. Ali: SOMCORD

10:35 – 10:55    African Solutions to Somali Problems

• Dr Sylvester Maphosa: Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA)

10:55 – 11:05   African PCRD in a Changing Global Environment

•  Dr Andrew Asamoah: Institute for Security Studies (ISS)

11:05 – 12:30   Open Discussion

12:30 – 13:30  Lunch

Session 2: Socio-Economic Developments: Experiences, Challenges & Opportunities

Facilitator: ECOSOCC

13:30 – 13:50  Xenophobia & Integration (Peace and Integration)

• Ms Vanya Gastrow: African Centre for Migration and Society 
  

13:50 – 14:10  Socio-economic Challenges and Solutions

• Dr Garth Le Pere: DAJO Associates

14:30 – 14:50  Business Development

• Dr Abdi Siad: University of Western Cape (UWC)

14:50 – 15:10  Role of Somali Diaspora in Rebuilding Somalia

• Eng. Abdirahman Omar Osman: Former Minister of Finance of Somalia

15:10 – 16:30    Open Discussions

16:30 – 17:00  Wrap up of Day 1

18:00  Cocktail Reception

Thursday, 20 September 2012

8:30 – 09:00    Tea/Coffee/Registration

9:00 – 09:30  Recap of previous day’s discussions

Final Session: Partnerships for Development

Facilitator: SALO: Dr Tara Polzer Ngwato

9:30 – 9:50   Role of South African Government

•   Deputy-Director General: Africa Bilateral: Ambassador Sonto Kudjoe, DIRCO

9:50 – 10:10   Role of International Partners

•  Dr Chris Landsberg (tbc)

10:10 – 10:30  Role of Somali Government: Dr Khalid Omar Ali: MP and former Minister in the Presidency

10:30 – 10:45  Tea/Coffee Break

10:30 – 12:00 Plenary-Way Forward: Secretariat

Programme Director: Ms Zeenat Adam: Director: East Africa: DIRCOLaunch of South African Somali Diaspora Forum.

(Media presence requested for launch)

12:15 – 12:30  Closing Remarks

• Mr Marius Fransman, Deputy Minister of International Relations and  Cooperation of South Africa, DIRCO.

12:30 – 12:45  Vote of Thanks

• Mr Abdi Ahmed Aden: Deputy Chairman: SOMCORD 

13:00 - 13:30  Press Briefing by Deputy Minister Marius Fransman

Lunch

RSVP:
Ms Laoura Lazouras
Cell: 083 564 2024
Email: lazourasl@dirco.gov.za

Enquiries:
Nelson Kgwete
Cell: 076 431 3078

Issued by: Department of International Relations and Cooperation
18 Sep 2012

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