ISS attended and presented at a Consultative Meeting arranged by the AU’s Continental Early Warning System (CEWS). The aim of the workshop was to involve civil society, research centres and RECs/RMs to discuss both incident reporting (via the CEWS’ Africa Reporter tool) and areas of thematic research. The objectives set for the workshop was linked with the role that CSOs can play in supporting both Agenda 2063 and Silencing the Guns by 2020. The workshop drew together an impressive range of actors from across the continent, with various geographic and thematic areas of expertise (such as WANEP, Kofi Annan Center, IGAD, SADC, EAC, CCCPA, PSIA, Catholic University, etc.
ISS was requested to make a presentation on gender mainstreaming in early warning approaches and was further invited as one of the organisations to discuss and identify potential areas of thematic research that can support CEWS. Thematic areas recommended from ISS included gender aspects; impact of rule of law on security; displacement and migration; countering violent extremism; impact of extremism on peace operations. The different research areas were divided and the area of displacement and migration was identified as the priority to be done by ISS. The invitation for ISS to participate clearly demonstrates acknowledgment for ISS research capabilities and that the ISS can serve as a valued CEWS partner. This should help establish a working relationship between CEWS and ISS going forward, and ensure that ISS research can help support AU early warning efforts.