Africa’s future calls for the development of a research culture that nurtures the next generation of peace researchers ready to interrogate issues using transdisciplinary and multidisciplinary lenses in search of homegrown solutions to Africa’s challenges. This is because researchers now recognize that violence and instability are the key blockages to sustainable peace and development. There is also a need for a peace building initiative that emanates from the communities.

Most interventions by international donor organizations do not take into consideration socio-political peculiarities. To this end, the PhD and post-doctoral research supported projects will be underpinned by a deep commitment to broadening inclusion and ownership on the part of all stakeholders across the partner institutions where this project is implemented. This emphasis on inclusion and local ownership also connects with ARUA’s objectives which are strongly embedded within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.