Clingendael Academy delivered negotiations training in the 2018 programme for African Women Mediators at the South African Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DIRCO). Twenty-five women from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and other African countries were selected to participate in a two week programme in negotiations, mediation, conflict analysis, constitutional writing and gender and conflict management issues.

The negotiation training was given by Ron Ton, director of the Clingendael Academy. Purpose of the training is to empower women in negotiation techniques in conflict mediation processes. Concepts and strategies were applied in realistic conflict resolution case studies and simulations. One of the assignments touched upon the dilemmas to have more women represented in peace negotiation and mediation teams.

Overall, the training initiative should increase the training and experience track record of African women to be better positioned in peace negotiations, for example by including more women in mediation networks within regional African organisations. 

In the past 25 years Clingendael Academy has trained over 1500 diplomats of the African diplomatic corps. Since November 2013, South Africa and the Clingendael Academy have been closely working together in the organisation of mediation programmes in Africa.