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Media Advisory
18 September 2012
Deputy Minister Fransman to deliver keynote address on South Africa’s peace-building role in Somalia
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 20 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: 19-20 September 2012
Time: 08h30
Venue: African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel, Century City, Cape Town
RSVP: Ms Laoura Lazouras, lazourasl@dirco.gov.za / 083 564 2024
Enquiries: Nelson Kgwete, 076 431 3078
Programme:
Wednesday, 19 September 2012
08:30 – 09:00 Tea/Coffee/Registration
Programme Director: Mr Fadl Nacerodien: Chief Director: The Policy research and Analysis Unit, DIRCO
09:00 – 09:10 Welcome
.............Mr Vasu Gounden: Executive Director: The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of
,,,,,,,,,,,..Disputes (ACCORD)
09:10 – 09:20 Opening Address
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Mahad Omar Abdi: Chair of the Somali Research and Development Council ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,(SOMCORD)
09:20 – 09:45 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
09:45 – 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
08:30 – 09:00 Tea/Coffee/Registration
09:00 – 09:30 Recap of previous day’s discussions
Final Session: Partnerships for Development
Facilitator: SALO: Dr Tara Polzer Ngwato
09:30 – 09:50 Role of South African Government
.......................Deputy-Director General: Africa Bilateral: Ambassador Sonto Kudjoe, DIRCO
09:50 – 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: DIRCO
Launch 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
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
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