Cooperation between Italy and African countries: training and assistance project is consolidated with new courses for the African judiciary, organized by Sant'Anna with the support of Farnesina and the collaboration of local counterparts

The cooperation activity between Italy and African countries is further strengthened with the launch with of "Training of Trainers (ToT)", the new advanced training course taking place in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, until Wednesday, February 7th, aimed at the staff of EFEAC (École de Formation Électorale pour l'Afrique Centrale), CENI (Commission Electorale Nationale Indépendante), local ministries and representatives of civil society organizations. 

The higher training course, sponsored by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in collaboration with the École de Formation Électorale pour l'Afrique Centrale (EFEAC), aims to strengthen the capacities of local actors to foster continuous professional development in the training sector. The three-day course aims to strengthen participants' skills in designing effective training programs, with a particular focus on electoral aspects, through the use of innovative teaching methodologies and practices geared to the training needs of their various entities. The training assumes particular relevance in the Congolese context, where recent elections have been subject to contestation, in strengthening the credibility and reliability of the future electoral process.

"Training of Trainers" is the first in a broad series of advanced training courses involving the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in the framework of the Project "Strengthening Judicial Systems in African Countries through Training (2023-24)". The new edition of Project 2024 is in continuity with the training and capacity-building activities in favor of the judiciary of Sahelian countries already undertaken during the projects funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in previous years (2018-2023) and includes several in-depth studies on specific topics with the participation of Italian and African experts and academics. For the success of these activities, the support guaranteed by the Farnesina and the Italian Embassies in the field has always proved decisive.

"The Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies is proud to contribute to this important technical cooperation project, which aims to strengthen the skills of magistrates in African countries and the development of local capacities", stresses Andrea de Guttry, professor of international law at the Dirpolis Institute (Law, Politics, Development) and head of the Project, "of magistrates in African countries and the development of local capacities. We are convinced that through training and institution-building it is possible to promote the rule of law in a key area for the stability of the African continent and Europe".

Cover photo: a moment from the training course in the Democratic Republic of Congo.