AFRICAN AND EUROPEAN LEADERS TO GATHER IN LONDON FOR WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA SECURITY, COUNTER-INSURGENCY AND COUNTER-TERRORISM SUMMIT 2014

AFRICAN AND EUROPEAN LEADERS TO GATHER IN LONDON FOR WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA SECURITY, COUNTER-INSURGENCY AND COUNTER-TERRORISM SUMMIT 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GLEEHD Foundation for Leadership and International Development in partnership with The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) part of the University of London, Rostra Consulting and Amandla Consulting announces its 1^st“West and Central Africa Security, Counter-Insurgency and Counter-Terrorism Summit 2014” coming up on the 29^th September to the 1^st October, 2014.

This high level security summit will bring together senior government officials, diplomats, Defence and law enforcement professionals, and stakeholders, from across West and Central Africa, and Europe in order to share best practices, as well as champion greater regional integration and cooperation. The conference supports and seeks to contribute to a unified response to insecurity and insurgency as the most effective way to fight terrorism in Africa.

Participants will include representatives from National Security Councils, Military and Defence Agencies, Ministry of Internal/Home Affairs, Border Security, Disaster Management and Emergency Management Unit and the diplomatic community- ECOWAS member states, US AFRICOM, United Nations, the African Union, UK House of Lords, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank Funding Security Projects, Chatham House, Commonwealth Secretariat, UK and US intelligence agencies, special envoys, mediators and other senior officials involved in nonstop effort to promote peace, security and stability in Africa. Others will include expert scholars, leading journalists, security bloggers and African youths.

The summit will be held in London, Washington and Nigeria. While in London, participants will;

·         Meet with top European government ministers, counter-terrorism chiefs, private sector security companies in areas like policing, cyber-security, border security etc.

• Meet with globally respected experts on terrorism (at SOAS) and establish a permanent link with top international relations talent who will provide a research resource to African governments
• Visit civil society groups, one run by an ex-jihadi, now helping vulnerable young people reject the path of violent extremism.

·         Network with top European investors who are not put off by the news coverage on West and Central Africa and want to help their economies grow.

The Washington Summit would promote collaboration between North American, West and Central African security sector stakeholders. Session presentations would also include a Cross-National & Comparative Study of Counter-Terrorism Policies and Strategies. The input from this conference will help West and Central African nations understand how to man, equip and train the army to deal with counter-insurgencies now and in the future.

The Nigerian session would be a discussion with key policy experts on counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency efforts in Nigeria, West and Central African sub-regions, drawing on the outcomes and lessons learnt from both London and Washington conference.

Prior to the London Summit, a conference on “The role of Civil Society Organizations in Tackling Insurgency and Terrorism in West and Central Africa” will hold in Lagos, Nigeria bringing together CSO representatives and government to explore collaborative approach between CSO and security agencies in tackling the threat of terrorism.

Note to Editors:

Since inception, GLEEHD Foundation has worked with international organizations including the United Nations, ECOSOC, The Commonwealth Secretariat, The Government of Nigeria, The Government of Malawi, UKTI, British Council, UNICEF Nigeria, A.D King Foundation, Commonwealth Democracy Initiative, Save the Children, Rostra Consulting, Amandla Consulting and other international development partners in promoting development in Africa.

GLEEHD’s recent event in London featured a business roundtable at the UK Institute of Directors which had the participation of Nigerian Government/Business Leaders, and a series of High profile events promoting bilateral trade and investment between UK and Nigeria, including a High Level Trade and Investment Meeting at Buckingham Palace with Prince Andrew, the Duke of York (and former UK Ambassador for Global Trade and Investment), and participation at the Commonwealth Day Observance Service with Her Majesty, The Queen.

ABOUT GLEEHD FOUNDATION

GLEEHD Foundation for Leadership and International Development is a not-for-profit international organization headquartered in the United Kingdom (Reg: 07665576) with an African Secretariat in Nigeria (CAC: 44037) established to promote Africa’s Renaissance by fostering Good Governance and Democracy, Advancement of Economic and Entrepreneurial Development, Promotion of Human and Children’s Rights, and Advocacy for Youth Development and Participation in Africa through partnership with African public institutions, civil societies, regional and international development partners.www.gleehdfoundation.org, www.gleehdfoundation.org.uk

ROSTRA CONSULTING 

Rostra Consulting is a United Kingdom registered company (Reg: 08590783) that seeks to build networks for democracy, better governance and transparency. www.rostraconsulting.com

The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)

SOAS, University of London is the only Higher Education institution in Europe specializing in the study of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East. It is a remarkable institution that uniquely combines language scholarship, disciplinary expertise and regional focus. It also has the largest concentration in Europe of academic staff concerned with Africa, Asia and the Middle East.www.soas.ac.uk

Amandla Consulting is an independent firm of creative and dynamic professionals with sparkling stream of ideas, vast experience and expertise in providing a wide range of consultancy to Government, Businesses, Corporate Organisations, Not for profit, Religious Organisations, Boards, Industry, Professional Organisations, Policy Makers and Leaders. Amandla effectively combines insight and knowledge of global issues to meet ever-changing international, regional, national and local challenges, we also help develop economic both development strategies and workplace development strategies. Our experts also give counsel on international policy matters, conflict resolution, and regional & international crisis management.www.amandlaconsulting.net

For more information, contact media@gleehdfoundation.org  Tel: +234-816-676-5045, +234-817-136-7479,