Representatives of the media across Africa are invited to cover the opening and closing ceremonies of the 11th African Union (AU) High-Level Retreat on the Promotion of Peace, Security and Stability in Africa, to be held virtually. What: The 11th African Union (AU) High-Level Retreat on the Promotion of Peace, Security and Stability in Africa will be held on the theme, “The future of mediation in Africa: Towards silencing the guns - lessons and opportunities from the COVID-19 pandemic.” The retreat aims to review the AU’s existing mediation and conflict prevention instruments, partnerships, and practices in order to determine their suitability to effectively prevent and manage conflicts on the continent, within the specific context of COVID-19, and beyond. It seeks to offer insights and debate around the various technological and social innovations that have allowed mediation practice on the continent to continue despite the very limited opportunity and capacity for conventional approaches.   When: 15:00 EAT, 10 December 2020 – opening ceremony; 17:00 EAT, 11 December 2020 – closing ceremony; Where: Zoom meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85918660049  Meeting ID: 859 1866 0049 Passcode: HLR2020 Who: The Retreat which will be attended by H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, African Union Commission Chairperson, will bring together dignitaries and peacemakers from the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs), the United Nations system, Members of the AU Panel of the Wise, Members of the AU Network of African Women in Conflict Prevention and Mediation (FemWise-Africa), renowned academics, experts and AU partners. Why: The purpose of such a reflection is to discuss and document innovative practices, emerging opportunities, as well as the challenges and lessons learnt for African mediation within the context of the “new normal”, and thus to inform future policy, practice, coordination and partnerships amongst practitioners, facilitators, policymakers and collaborators. The 11th AU High-Level Retreat will aim to: Reflect on the current global and continental context of peace and security: Engage in constructive self-assessment of international and continental conflict prevention, peacemaking and peacebuilding efforts in Africa; Take note of emerging policy and field approaches on peacemaking, and the resultant challenges and opportunities in order to devise appropriate strategies for conflict prevention, resolution and management within the COVID-19 context and beyond; Identify concrete opportunities for multidimensional collaboration and harmonization of efforts to resolve conflict in Africa For more information please contact: Ms. Mukondeleli Mpeiwa Coordinator, Panel of the Wise Secretariat Email: MpeiwaM@africa-union.org   Mr. Paschal Chem-Langhee Communication Officer Email: Chem-LangheeP@africa-union.org .................................................................................................. African Union (AU) Peace and Security Department Conflict Management Division Tel. No.: +251-115-513 822 Fax: +251-115-519 321 E-mail: situationroom@africa-union.org or situationroom@ausitroom-psd.org Follow us on Twitter: @AU_PSD; @AU_Chergui Like us on Facebook: Peace & Security Dept of the African Union Commission