Rationale Overview
For decades, the African continent has been confronted by an extensive range of maritime security threats and challenges, each of which cannot be thoroughly addressed without strategic guidance. Consequently, the continent witnessed a proliferation of strategy documents such as the 2050 African Integrated Maritime Strategy in 2012, the Lomé Charter in 2016 and the Africa Blue Economy Strategy in 2019. At the national level, some African states also began processes towards developing comprehensive maritime strategies. Whether or not each of these strategies are on course to achieving their intended objectives still remains an issue of debate.
With a growing recognition amongst African states of the geo-economic importance of the continent's vast maritime domain comes
a responsibility to ensure its protection at all levels. Effective maritime security strategies could provide a unique framework for attaining this. What remains crucial then, is to ground relevant maritime practitioners and policy makers in the theoretical and practical underpinnings necessary either to develop purposeful and targeted maritime security strategies, or to successfully implement existing ones within national and regional contexts. This course is intended to provide such grounding. By exposing participants to key principles and best practices for developing maritime security strategies, the programme will expand expertise necessary to ensure that African states have the strategic guidance they truly need to address their peculiar mix of maritime threats and challenges.
Course Outcomes
Beyond the immediate objectives identified earlier, extensive participation in the course by a broad range of stakeholders across the continent should result in the following medium to long-term outcomes:
01
Generate an understanding of how to develop maritime security strategies that address Africa's unique challenges.
02
Examine the primary features that enhance the sustainability of strategies and action plans or otherwise
03
Explore tools and techniques that can facilitate the implementation of continental, regional and national maritime strategy documents
04
Equip participants with the skill sets necessary to contribute meaningfully to maritime security strategy development processes across Africa
05
Explicate the implications of strategy development processes on the success or failure of national, regional and continental strategies
06
Develop the skills of participants to collaborate with stakeholders and partners toward maritime security strategy development and implementation
Course Modules
01
Maritime Security Strategy Theory
02
Assessing Maritime Security Challenges & Opportunities I & II
03
Interagency Coordination and Stakeholder Analysis
I & II
04
Mid-Course Practical Exercise
05
Ends, Ways, Means
06
Maritime Strategy Implementation
07
Case Study and Course Conclusion
Course Beneficiaries
While all persons with an interest in strengthening maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea can participate in the course, it is primarily intended for the following beneficiaries.
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Staff of national and regional maritime institutions and agencies across Africa, including maritime law enforcement officers
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African policy-makers
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Maritime legal practitioners, security experts and consultants
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Staff of NGOs and academic institutions contributing to (or who wish to build potential to contribute to) national, regional or continental maritime strategy documents
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Representatives of international organisations and development agencies
involved in maritime security in Africa -
Students in various ocean governance or maritime security related fields, interested in expanding their expertise on maritime strategy development
ADMISSION FEE FOR THIS COURSE IS $450.00 $405.00
Discount ends Jan 30th 2025
10% discount for early bird registration and members of the Institute