(May 8, 2017) "The reconstruction of man and human capacity represents a necessary and indispensable step for a real reconstruction of the country, which lost the very foundations of its institutions in the years of conflict". Words of the Ambassador of Italy in Cameroon and Central African Republic, Samuela Isopi. Isopi speaks at the start of the second phase of the training project promoted by the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna of Pisa in favor of the diplomats of the Central African Republic. The goal is to bring a new contribution to the country's institutional reconstruction, from 2012 theater of a complex conflict and a serious humanitarian crisis. After involving six senior diplomats from the Central African Republic who have attended a High School course at the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, in February, lessons are now moving to Yaoundé for the second part of the project, which will coincide with a two-month course, starting today, at the IRIC (Cameroon Institute for International Relations), a well-known regional authority, which has been working for years with the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna. Fifteen diplomats from the Central African Republic, who will be joined by some Cameroonian diplomats, have been identified for this high-level initiative. The medium term goal is to help reform and strengthen the capabilities of diplomacy and the new ruling class of the Central African Republic. In particular, the lessons will provide the knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill the mandate of diplomatic agents and to best represent the interests of their respective countries at regional and international level. The presence of diplomats from the Central African Republic and Cameroon will also ensure an effective exchange of good practices and experiences, reinforcing the foundations for regional cooperation and integration. The course, opened by Andrea de Guttry, ordinarily of international public law and director of the Institute Dirpolis (Law, Politics, Development) of the Sant'Anna High School, will be held by teachers from Italian universities and IRIC, diplomatic Embassies officer from Cameroon, members of Cameroon's diplomatic corps, by officials from international organizations based in Yaounde. Attending as teachers also senior diplomats of the Central African Republic who attended the course held in Italy at the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in February 2017. "This pilot project - commented Andrea de Guttry - wanted and funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, DG Globalization and Global Issues, implemented thanks to the valuable support of the Italian Embassy in Yaoundé, sanctions the commitment of the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna and of Italy to contribute to the rebirth of a leading body of the battered Central African Republic. Once again - continues the professor - the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna is called to operate in the forefront, in a very difficult African context, believing that local human resources training is one of the tools for reconciliation and development of the Country". (Red)

ABOUT / THE COURSE

The course is the result of an explicit request by the Central African Authorities who look with great interest at Europe and Italy to replenish the country's civil fabric. The initiative, launched by the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mario Giro on his visit to Bangui in October 2016, responds to the spirit and the attentions of the Brussels Conference and the commitment taken by Italy for the Stabilization and reconstruction of Central Africa.