Social Protection, A Path to Peace, CORN Director Tells Tinubu

 

.UNICEF, NASSCO, British high Commission to attend CORN conference on Social Protection in Abuja

 

 

The Conflict Research Network West Africa (CORN West Africa) has assembled researchers to critically assess the implementation of social protection policies, such as conditional cash transfers, support for internally displaced persons, and school feeding, among other initiatives at an international conference taking place in Abuja.

In a release signed by Dr. Tarila Marclint Ebiede, Director of the Conflict Research Network West Africa, this inaugural conference, held in collaboration with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), centers on “Social Protection in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Societies in Nigeria.”

The conference is scheduled for November 8th and 9th, 2023, at the Conference Hall of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) in Abuja, Nigeria. It marks the first substantial platform for Nigerian scholars to critically examine social protection practices within Nigeria.

Dr. Ebiede emphasised that effective management of social protection can play a role in peacebuilding, conflict reduction, and enhancing security in Nigeria.

The conference will feature a keynote address by Professor Remi Aiyede, the Research and Policy Uptake Lead at the Partnership for Social and Governance Research in Africa (PASGR), Kenya, along with speeches from Hon. Abdulaziz Danladi, National Coordinator for the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO); Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Country Representative Nigeria; and Chris Pycroft, Development Director, British High Commission, Nigeria.

Dr. Ebiede further explained that “the conference is occurring at a time when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government has initiated various social protection programs to aid citizens in coping with the ongoing economic challenges. Conference papers will analyze the practical outcomes of these social protection programs, including conditional cash transfers, school feeding initiatives, COVID-19 palliatives, support for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria, and youth empowerment programs.”

“The conference will also investigate the connections between social protection programs and their impact on peacebuilding, conflict management, and the reduction of insecurity in Nigeria. A dedicated session at the conference will explore the political aspects of Nigeria’s social register, aiming to uncover the implications for poverty alleviation. This conference is particularly timely, providing an opportunity for policymakers to receive feedback on ongoing programs and policies with the goal of improving their outcomes. It is expected to draw scholars, researchers, and policy analysts from universities, think tanks, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and beyond. Distinguished guests at the conference will include Hon. Abdulaziz Danladi, National Coordinator for the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO); Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Country Representative Nigeria; and Chris Pycroft, Development Director, British High Commission, Nigeria.”