The ATT Academy got off to a strong start as its first training session opened on Monday 20 June in Lake Nakuru, Kenya. The first day took a focus on the context in which the Treaty exists including human and environmental impact of arms, and included a presentation from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) about how small arms proliferation is increasing poaching and wildlife crime.
Convened by Pace University and Control Arms, the ATT Academy has a unique approach to learning about the Treaty. It will include two in-person training sessions as well as several online training opportunities over a six-month period, seeking to increase the level of technical knowledge on the ATT and promote universalization. It is supported through the UN Trust Facility Supporting Cooperation on Arms Regulation (UNSCAR).
Participants in the first ATT Academy come from Burundi, Djibouti, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and Tanzania. They represent government, including police, military and small arms bureaus, as well a diverse group of civil society organizations affiliated with Control Arms.
The first day also included a review of the Treaty’s history, including the important role that African states and civil society played in the Treaty negotiations, as well as how the ATT relates to the Nairobi Protocol, the Programme of Action and other instruments.
“The ATT Academy will build capacity for effective implementation of the ATT. All participants will acquire more knowledge about the Treaty, enhance their skills and have more interactive discussions on the ATT, especially regarding the opportunities and obstacles. It is also a chance to share good practices from their countries, ” says Fayek Moussa Mohamed from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Djibouti, who is participating in the course.
