event 26 nov. 2021

FREXUS project // Moderator Training Workshop – Early warning tools help highlight the link between natural resources, climate change and conflict

A high-level moderator training workshop was held for experts from the three participating countries of the FREXUS project (Chad, Mali, Niger) at the Noom Hotel in Niamey to facilitate participatory analysis and the use of interactive information tools for the co-development of the FREXUS project's tools on the links between natural resource management and conflict within the context of climate change

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Workshop Overview

From the 19th to the 21st of October 2021, a moderator training workshop was held at the Noom Hotel in Niamey which facilitated a participatory analysis workshop and the use of interactive information tools for the co-development of tools for the FREXUS project on the linkages between natural resource management and conflict within the context of climate change.

The workshop welcomed approximately twenty participants from the three (3) participatory countries of the FREXUS project, namely Mali, Niger and Chad. The participants were experts stemming from the FREXUS project's partner basin organisations such as NBA, LCBC and the AGRHYMET regional centre, public university-based researchers from the three aforementioned countries, security actors and ministry officials from the water and environment sectors respectively.

The commencement of the workshop was marked by an address from the representative of the Coordinator of the National Focal Structure of Niger (NFS-Niger/NBA), who welcomed all participants on behalf of the Minister of Hydraulics and Sanitation of Niger.

The training workshop was held as part of the co-development of the FREXUS project's analytical tools. The local analytical tool concept is based on the interconnectivity of models inclusive of key elements in relation to water, energy and food security and related conflict risks; conflict as understood in a broader sense and including not only competition or violence, but also other responses by affected individuals and groups, such as migration or the strengthening of illicit or extremist groups. The results are accessible through a dashboard connecting all aforementioned elements through selected indicators which helps answer a number of key questions related to security and the WEF Nexus.

Thus, to better equip the moderators charged with leading the co-development activities alongside stakeholders, the FREXUS project has initiated this moderator training in collaboration with the Water Peace and Security Partnership (WPSP).

Workshop Mission

The main aim of the workshop was to train the moderators of the three (03) countries of intervention of the Frexus project on how to facilitate and conduct the joint development process of the Frexus project tools through participatory workshops involving all stakeholders in collaboration with the Deltares team.

Launch of workshop

The workshop began with a series of introductory presentations on the Frexus project and an overview of the training. Thereafter, trainers from the Deltares team elaborated on the link between resources, security and conflict, as well as the introduction to systems thinking and participatory system modelling.

Deltares Team

The presentations were followed up by questions and discussions allowing participants to better understand the complex linkages between natural resources and conflict within the context of climate change, as well as the concepts related to comprehensive systems thinking and system modelling.

From Theory to Practice

In an effort of better consolidating the participants' knowledge of comprehensive systems thinking and participatory system modelling, practical exercises were offered and worked on between the groups of country experts

Workshop3

The various group works enabled country experts to master the methodological approaches used to identify key problems related to country-specific situations within the FREXUS project pilot areas allowing experts to carry out the corresponding causal loop diagram. The participants also took part in a simulation aimed at the preparation of an interactive session of participatory causal loop design that they will have to carry out in their own country

Causal loop

The task results of each group were presented, discussed and amended during the plenary sessions supported through the contributions from the Deltares team of trainers. The end of the workshop saw an instant evaluation of all participants on the aims and expected results as well as feedback on how to improve the content of the training. The participants expressed overall satisfaction with the new skills and methodological approaches acquired throughout this training.

Evaluation training

The representative of the coordinator of the National Focal Structure of Niger along with the NBA brought the proceedings to a close with a note of satisfaction and appreciation addressed to the European Union and the BMZ through the GIZ, for making this training workshop possible. The latter being of great importance for the development of the FREXUS project's early warning tools on the understanding of the interlinkages between natural resources, climate change and conflict.

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