On 8-9 May 2019, the Education for Justice (E4J) initiative, part of UNODC's Global Programme for the Implementation of the Doha Declaration, collaborated with the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies to co-organize an expert workshop for university lecturers on the E4J University Module Series on Counter-Terrorism and Trafficking in Firearms in Lagos, Nigeria. It brought together 27 university lecturers and academics from 15 African countries, in their individual capacity, to:

• Enhance their familiarity with the E4J Counter-Terrorism and Trafficking in Firearms University Modules
• Consider effective approaches to teaching the Modules in universities across Africa, at both the undergraduate and graduate level
• Strengthen the participants' capacity to teach courses based on the Modules
• Support participants in adapting and integrating the Modules into existing or new courses.

The workshop was designed as an interactive exchange of ideas. The framework of the workshop has followed a tested UNODC approach to have materials that undergo a comprehensive and robust peer-reviewed process. As a result, it consisted of highly participatory sessions and discussions that enabled all participants to share their views, experiences, and approaches on their content, as well as to deliberate about the best methods for delivering the modules and adapting them into their respective courses.

The participating lecturers expressed a strong interest and a commitment to integrating the Modules into their courses. UNODC encouraged them to provide feedback on the quality and user-friendliness of the materials, in an effort to continuously improve the Modules.

The University Module Series on Counter-Terrorism and the corresponding Teaching Guide, as well as a selection of the University Module Series on Trafficking in Firearms, are all freely available on the E4J website.

Some quotes from participants

"I am glad to know that the UNODC has put in place mechanisms to monitor the practical application of the E4J modules on counter-terrorism and trafficking in firearms by universities worldwide to implement the Doha Declaration", Ishaku Usman GADZAMA, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Kaduna State, Nigeria.

"Teaching has never been made so easy. With the E4J modules, I am able as a law lecturer to access new information and data on firearms which I can use in teaching all three of my courses. The modules are comprehensive and yet flexible enough to allow one to pick and adjust as needed. Thank you UNODC", Zahara NAMPEWO, Law Lecturer and Director, Human Rights and Peace Centre, School of Law, Makerere University, Uganda.

"The E4J Initiative is an eye-opening phenomenon that raises our consciousness on the need for nurturing critical thinking and problem-solving skills if we are to produce change agents that will engage the global challenges on terrorism and trafficking in firearms", Tenywa Aloysius MALAGALA, Senior Lecturer, Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies, Gulu University, Uganda.

 

"I found the E4J Modules on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants very rich for my students of International Law", D.J. USMAN, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.