Introduction
Development of the ‘’Tana Papers’’ for the 2021 edition of the Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa. **
Call prepared by The Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS), TANA Forum Secretariat.
**
The Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) of Addis Ababa University is a prominent Institute for higher education, research and policy dialogues on peace and security in Africa. Established in 2007, it ranks among the top 46 educational establishments and think tanks in Sub-Saharan Africa according to the Global Go to Think Tank Index Reports. IPSS was also selected as the Centre of Excellence for Post Conflict Societies by the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) in 2017. Moreover, the Institute runs the Africa Peace and Security Programme (APSP), a joint initiative with the African Union, which is mandated by the African Union’s Executive Council to take up the intellectual challenge of finding African-led solutions to peace and security challenges in Africa
IPSS serves as the Secretariat of the Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa that has been organised every year since 2012. The Forum brings prominent individuals, heads of state and government, policymakers and other experts to an informal gathering where they discuss African peace, security and development matters. This year’s Tana Forum is scheduled for 25 to 29 October 2021 on the theme “Managing Security Threats: Building Resilience for the Africa We Want”. The Forum will take place in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, utilising a hybrid format – face-to-face interaction and virtual platform.
Background
This year (2021) marks the 10th Anniversary of the Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa, the flagship annual event to engage in deep reflections to find solutions to the continent’s myriad peace and security challenges. It coincides with a unique moment in Africa and the world primarily due to the fragilities imposed by the unforeseen outbreak and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and state measures to curb it. While old fault lines remain, new ones are producing tensions and threats that are converging within- rather than outside- states in a way that is exposing the underbelly of fractured state-society relations.
The signals of threats to peace and security across the African landscape are evident in the weakening of critical public institutions, the resurgence of ethno-religious and other parochial identities, and the proliferation of actors and risks in ways previously not contemplated. Yet even at that, the prevailing cloud of uncertainty provides the opportunity to think deeply and act decisively to confront such triggers and enablers of today’s insecurities. Understanding Africa’s security threats today also requires rethinking the role of actors and initiatives at national, regional and continental levels and that of international partners in soliciting solutions.
The aim of the Tana Papers is, therefore, to undertake research and critical analysis on the proposed topics that are related to the theme of the upcoming Tana Forum and offer concrete recommendations on how best to manage security threats on the continent for the attainment of the AU Vision of an integrated, stable, peaceful and prosperous Africa. It is also expected that these papers will highlight critical drivers; interrogate and explore security threats in Africa, and proffer policy and programmatic recommendations for redress.
Description of the assignment
Interested applicants are expected to send an abstract of no more than 400 words to the IPSS Research Unit and, if selected, will be requested to write a policy paper. Accordingly, the contributor(s) will be expected to write a policy paper on one of the proposed topics and send the draft paper to the IPSS Research Unit for review and approval. A Policy Paper is usually 8-10 pages long. It contains an executive summary, key points, an introduction to the topic of the paper, body, conclusion and recommendation. Authors are expected to revise and resubmit the brief by the deadline. The IPSS Research Unit also reserves the right to edit and make changes to the paper before publication in agreement with the author.
Proposed policy brief topics
Security implications of climate change in Africa: Challenges and mitigation strategies;
The role of art, culture and heritage in building a peaceful Africa;
Terrorism, violent extremism and transnational organized crime: What impact on sustainable peace and security in Africa?;
COVID-19 security threats in Africa: Creating an all-encompassing peace and security architecture to manage health-related insecurities;
Transitioning from conflict to peace in Africa: What does it take and what lessons can be learned from other peacebuilding initiatives?;
Security threats in Africa: Building resilience through youth and gender inclusion
Managing security threats through governance versus building resilience through citizen participation: Is there a middle point?
The contributor will, on the basis of the agreement:
Ensure the delivery of the policy paper according to the proposed structure;
Ensure she/he meets the agreed-upon deadline;
Revise and resubmit the paper if the first draft does not fulfil the quality standards.
Guidelines
Abstracts must be a maximum of 500 words **
Abstracts must include a maximum of five keywords sufficient to highlight the relevant topics addressed in the paper **
Abstracts must be text-only- graphics, images or graphs should not be included.**
Timeline
Commissioning of the Policy Brief – August 23, 2021;
Submission of the First draft – September 13, 2021;
Submission of Final draft – October 22, 2021.
Place(s) of Assignment
The place of assignment is the contributor’s place of residence. There are no travels included.
Duration and Honorarium
The contributor will work for the period of August 23, to October 22, 2021, and will receive a modest honorarium.
This vacancy is archived.