Proposal for the composition and structure of the research team.
OCWAR-T Component 4.1:
The knowledge base on TOC activities and illicit trafficking in the ECOWAS region is improved
Proposal for the composition and structure of the research team
Validation Meeting of the Zero-Draft Concept and Stakeholder- Mapping of a Research Institutions Network on Transnational Organized Crime
10 MARCH 2020
SUMMARY REPORT
The Wells Carlton Hotel
& Apartments, Abuja, March 2020
In the framework of the implementation of the Organized Crime: West African Response to Trafficking (OCWAR-T) project, the Regional Security Division, in collaboration with its technical partner, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) organised the Validation Meeting of the Zero-Draft Concept and Stakeholder- Mapping of a Research Institutions Network on Transnational Organized Crime, on 10 March 2020, in Abuja, Nigeria.
Representatives of the following ECOWAS Commission Directorates and GIZ participated in the meeting:
Director, Political Affairs
Director, Legal Affairs
Director, Early Warning
Director, External Relations
Director, Humanitarian and Social Affairs
Head of Programme (OCWAR-T)
Head of Component 1 and 4 (OCWAR-T)
Also in attendance were the Head of Small Arms Division and the Head of the Civilian Component from the Directorate of Peacekeeping and Regional Security.
The overall objective of the meeting was to engage relevant ECOWAS Directorates including Peacekeeping and Regional Security, Humanitarian and Social Affairs, Early Warning, External Relations, Legal Affairs, Political Affairs, Communications and technical experts from GIZ, on the results of the mapping of the research institutions as well as the design and methodology for the proposed Research Network.
The specific objectives of the meeting aimed to:
Discuss and validate the Consultant’s zero draft report;
Validate the draft structure and methodology of the Research Network including the name of the Research Network, formation of national research committees and specific areas of research to be undertaken by the Network.
The meeting was conducted in plenary format to prompt active discussion and identification of key recommendations on the specific areas for the setup of the Research Network. The consultant led the discussions during the meeting, provided deeper insight. The expert’s zero draft concept was the major working document.
Only one presentation was on the agenda: Proposal for the composition and structure of the research team.
Dr. Axel KLEIN, the Consultant presented an overview of the Organized Crime as a Research Topic in West Africa. After his comprehensive presentation on the proposed activities, participants pointed out some gaps and noted that ECOWAS Commission possesses accurate data on TOC which is relevant to the project. In the light of the foregoing, the meeting highlighted the following issues and matters for consideration:
The need to consult with ECOWAS Commission and Member States on all TOC related matters, including prioritization of thematic areas and framing parameters/indicators
The need to prioritize the role of West African Universities, Centres and Think Tank in the Research Institutions Network on Transnational Organized Crime.
After due deliberations, participants recommended the following:
a. GIZ to conduct assessment on the existing research data as far as Transnational Organized Crime in the region is concerned;
b. GIZ will ensure that available research capacities (Research Institutes and academic institutions) will be involved in the implementation of the research activities of the network
c. ECOWAS and GIZ to finalize and validate the Draft of the Proposal for the composition and structure of the research team;
d. GIZ and ECOWAS to mainstream the ownership by Member States of the outcome of the project.
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