On February 2-4, 2016, representatives of the Auschwitz Institute for Peace and Reconciliation will attend and participate in GAAMAC’s Second International Meeting (GAAMAC II). Global Action Against Mass Atrocity Crimes (GAAMAC) is an inclusive, state-led network created in 2013 by states and NGOs joining together to engage in atrocity prevention and provides a platform for exchange, dialogue, and the dissemination of learning and best practices in prevention.
The February meeting will take place in Manila and has been organized jointly by the host government of the Philippines and Switzerland, who is serving as the current chair of GAAMAC. A copy of the preliminary agenda is available here. The objective of the event, which is entitled Preventing Atrocities: How to Strengthen National Atrocity Prevention Architectures, is to convene representatives of interested governments, regional organizations, NGOs, and relevant UN offices to discuss and identify the challenges of developing state architectures in atrocity prevention, as well as to strengthen the capacities and strategies of states and governmental organizations in this field.
To this end, AIPR’s Africa Program Director, Dr. Ashad Sentongo, will be participating in a panel discussion and workshop on the opening day of the event, “How Sub-Regional Initiatives Can Support National Architectures – Sharing of Good Experiences”. Jack Mayerhofer, AIPR’s Coordinator of the Office of the Executive Director and Africa Program Liason, will also attend the event. AIPR strongly urges its partners and the alumni of its programs to participate in the GAAMAC II meeting and other GAAMAC initiatives which strengthen the global partnership working against genocide and other mass atrocities.