About the Event

Africa’s Sahel region, a semi-arid band of land stretching from Senegal to Eritrea, has been emerging as a major source of political instability, crime, and terrorism in Africa since the 2012 military coup in Mali. The problems of the region are unusually intertwined: poor governance, vast geographic distances, demographic explosion and poverty have left unresolved issues of national unity and equity.

This one-day conference will bring together civil society from Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Sudan and Ethiopia, regional policy makers, and leading practitioners with an expertise on the Sahel who will discuss priorities and best ways to bridge the gap between civil society and governing institutions in Sahel countries. The conversations will explore the role that civil society can play in strengthening democracy, guaranteeing security, and building peace.

9:00am – 9:30am 
Opening Remarks 

9:30am – 11:00am 

Countering Violent Extremism: Women and Peacebuilding
in Sudan, Niger and Nigeria

11:00am – 12:30pm 
New Approaches for Governance in Burkina Faso, Mali
and Ethiopia

1:00pm – 2:00pm 
Keynote: Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs
Peter Barlerin

2:00pm – 3:30pm 
Challenges of Democracy, Community Resilience, and
Institution Building in the Sahel

All cameras and media must register with NED public affairs. Please email press@ned.org to register as a member of the press