Institute for Peace and Security Studies

Established in 2007, the Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) of Addis Ababa University (AAU) was created as a centre for teaching, research and outreach activities. It received further stimulation when the African Peace and Security Programme (APSP), a partnership programme between IPSS and the African Union (AU), was launched in 2010. In 2010, IPSS was identified by AAU as one of its five “Centres of Excellence” and in 2014, 2015 and 2016, the Institute was ranked among the top 50 educational institutions and think tanks in Africa.

IPSS provides recognized academic education and professional training in conflict analysis, prevention, management and resolution. It also conducts academic and applied research in the area of peace and security that takes into account the interaction between governance, human security, socio-economic development and sustainable peace. Furthermore, its outreach programme promotes the nature and application of African-led solutions in conflict prevention, management, and post-conflict reconstruction and development.

Africa Peace and Security Programme (APSP)^[1]

APSP’s activities and projects are aimed at enhancing African capacity (both the AU and Regional Economic Communities/Mechanisms) in the area of peace and security. They also line up to IPSS’ teaching, research and outreach strategic objectives. The programmatic focus and activities of IPSS are, therefore, the cumulative programmes of both the Institute and APSP. APSP receives substantial technical and financial support from the Deutsche Gesellschft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), other development partners and members of the African private sector.

Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa^[2]

IPSS serves as the secretariat for the Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa, an annual meeting that brings together African leaders and stakeholders to engage and explore African-led security solutions. Taking place each April in Ethiopia, the Forum convenes heads of state, academics, the private sector and policymakers for two days of debate and discussions. The mission of this annual event is to cultivate a distinctively African voice on understanding and confronting the chief peace and security challenges facing the continent. The first Forum took place in 2012 in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

Partners

Among others, the Institute is supported by the African Union, Regional Economic Communities (RECs)/Regional Mechanisms (RMs), development partners, the private sector, think tanks/universities, programme/project development partners and embassies.

References