EU Support to train representatives of media and youth-led organizations/networks to address Illicit Drug Trafficking, Organized Crimes And Drug Abuse In West Africa
Date : 05/07/2017 - 06/07/2017
Venue : Abuja, Nigeria,
City : Abuja
Country : Nigeria
Contact :
Introduction
As part of the approved activities for the implementation of the EU support to ECOWAS Drug Action Plan (2016–2020), representatives of Media and Youth-led organizations/networks are to be trained to effectively address illicit drug trafficking, organized crimes and drug abuse in West Africa. This training is in line with output 1.2.2 of the EU support project “Support to ECOWAS Drug unit advocacy, monitoring and coordination capacities, FED/2014/351-369”. The aim of the training is to promote strong partnership amongst organizations to deal with the complex problems of illicit drug use and related organized crimes, which undermine the fabric of society in West Africa through the combinations of evidence-based interventions and drug prevention strategies in various settings.
Rationale
A: The Youth
Prevention is one of the main components of a health-centered system to address the initiation of drug use and subsequent transition to drug use disorders. Evidence strongly indicates that drug prevention strategies targeted at youth are effective as it reduces drug related developmental and security problems such as criminal behavior, poverty, violence, significant health problems and social exclusion. Furthermore, systematic literature review of current drug use patterns and preliminary assessments of reports on drug demand situation and responses in ECOWAS Member States identified significant at-risk youth populations that abuse substances. The youth in West Africa are therefore, the most vulnerable to the drug menace and this compounds the region’s already worrisome HIV/AIDS profile with dire consequences on socio-economic development.
B: The Media
The mass media has become important socializing agents that help to create and shape attitudes, values, behaviors and perceptions of social reality. The media are empowered to set the agenda for public discourse on issues of serious importance, such as the current dialogue on crime prevention and drug control. More importantly the media have the advantage of deep analysis, of developments, issues and events, which avail the readers, a clearer picture of the world around them, thus expanding and deepening peoples’ experiences. Furthermore, there is significant evidence that carefully planned mass media campaigns can reduce or prevent crime and drug use
Objectives of the training
- To build the capacity of the media and youth-led organizations/networks to effectively engage in mobilization, advocacy and awareness campaigns on drug-related issues.
- To increase awareness and educate stakeholders on evidence-based strategies to address illicit drug trafficking, organized crimes and drug abuse.
- To encourage the Youth and the Media Networks to initiate prevention response programmes that can be cascaded in their communities.
Methodology
The training will feature keynote presentations followed by discussions on important themes covering illicit drug use patterns, drug trafficking and related organized crimes, practical interventions for integration of drug-related sensitization and advocacy activities at community, national and regional levels that are geared towards effective prevention and control of illicit drug trafficking, related organized crimes and drug abuse. The experts will carry out group activities and make power-point presentations on prevention and response programs that can be cascaded in their communities.
Participation
Media experts of the cadre of editors and middle level professionals in the print and broadcasting outfits from ECOWAS Member States, representatives of youth-led organizations/networks, African Union, United Nations Office on Drug and Crimes (UNODC), Civil Society Organizations.
Working Languages
All sessions will be conducted in French, Portuguese and English
Date and Venue
July 5th – 6th 2017, ECOWAS Commission, Abuja, Nigeria
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