The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, the 7^th session of its program “Leadership Training in Peace and Security (LTIPS),” under the theme “Peace and Security 360: Exploring the several dimensions of peacebuilding,” in partnership with UNESCO Maghreb Office, the Conference of the Ministers of Education of French-speaking countries (CONFEMEN) and the Conference of the Ministers of Youth and Sports of French-speaking countries (CONFEJES). The session aimed at training and qualifying young people for leadership, as they are the basis of change for peace and building the societies we want.

At the opening session, held via videoconference, Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Head of Social and Human Sciences Sector, welcomed the participants in the training session, noting that the LTIPS program aims at exploring the multiple dimensions of building peace and security. The program also focuses on strengthening the mechanisms for consolidating these two basic foundations in an integrated and comprehensive manner, explained Ms. Mbaye affirming her confidence in the ability of Member States’ young people to build the societies we want.

In her opening address, Ms. Fahimeda Faiza, a member of the Program’s cohort for 2021, from Bangladesh, commended LTIPS given the attention it pays to women and youth as builders of security and peace. She also called for joining and intensifying efforts to strengthen young people’s capacities to face challenges, especially in areas witnessing violent conflicts.

Ms. Fadimato Osmanou, another member of the Program’s cohort, from Cameroon, expressed her happiness to participate in the program, noting that LTIPS enables women and young people to acquire mechanisms to contribute to building peace and security in the Islamic world.

During the first session, Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of Science and Technology Sector at ICESCO, gave a presentation on environment protection and security, during which he stressed the need to take into account the environmental and ecological dimensions in building peace and ensuring security. Mr. Osmane Bachir Deme, an expert at the World Bank, gave a presentation on “Peace and Security: Perspective of natural resource management.” Mr. Waly Cissé, on behalf of Mr. Edward Talnan, UNFPA Regional Adviser for West and Central Africa, also gave a presentation entitled “Demography, Peace and Security: Lessons from the Sahel.”

During the second session, Dr. Abdoulkhadre Ado, Professor at the University of Ottawa, Canada, gave a presentation on “Economic Dimensions of Peace and Security.” Mr. Hassan Sandabagno, from Action Against Hunger ROWCA, made a presentation on food security and peace. Dr. Mahamat Abba Ousman, an expert at Culture and Communication Sector at ICESCO, also gave a presentation on “Peace and Security: A Cultural Perspective.” At the end of the session, Dr. Ahmed Al-Bouazzaoui, Professor at Mohammed V University in Rabat, gave a presentation detailing the psychological and social dimensions of peace and security.

ICESCO’s LTIPS comprised a series of virtual training sessions that focused on 10 peace-related modules. The young trainees will form the first cohort of ICESCO Youth and Women Network for Peace.