Discussions Between RU and Regional Center On Small Arms (RECSA)

Abstract

Riara University had discussions with the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA) under the guidance of the Vice Chancellor, Dr Onditi and the executive secretary for RECSA, his excellency Theoneste Mutsindashyaka at the RECSA's Offices in Timau Plaza, Nairobi, Kenya.

The following are discussions and recommendations a rising from the meetings;

Internship-RECSA offers ideal and practical opportunities for students to undertake their internship program;

Practical training solutions/Short-Courses; possibilities of developing and implementing courses in a variety of areas related to RECSA’s mandate, including ‘Management of small arms and stock piles’, Governance and leadership etc. Such courses could target RECSA member states in the region;

Applied research and consultancy; possibilities of developing research proposals and jointly mobilizing resources and conduct studies in areas related to youth, child soldiers, women and arms proliferation, radicalization;

Capacity building initiatives on the implementation of the Nairobi Protocol, including but not limited to training and awareness seminars; this is should focus on translating research findings into policy and practice; this could target RECSA staff and Focal Points for the implementation of the Nairobi Protocol from member states;

Youth-opportunities for developing and implementing programs for youth, in particular focusing on creating awareness and education on alternative sources of livelihoods in high-risk areas such as urban settlements and among pastoral communities among RECSA member states;

Policy-academic linkages-Explore opportunities for guest lectureship from RECSA experts in a variety of subject areas, including peace and security, arms control, etc.;

Think Tanking for RECSA; Riara University, being an institution of higher learning, presents opportunities for RECSA to increase their effectiveness in advocacy on the implementation of the Nairobi Protocol.

Riara University’s contribution to RECSA, therefore, can be tapped through the following actionable activities:

Support RECSA in developing high impact policy briefs in subjects related to RECSA’s mandate

Support RECSA in producing Periodic Reports for member states in increasing the influence of the regional body in policy and practice;

support RECSA to develop a compendium of RECSA’s work- this will increase the visibility of the regional body and profile achievement of the regional body

support RECSA in developing curriculum resources on various emerging issues on arms control and arms diplomacy;

Support RECSA in developing strategies for operationalization of SDGs, in particular, goal 11 on sustainability.