Roger Samson chosen as Canadian Expert Resource for UNDP initiative!

REAP-Canada's executive director, Roger Samson, was chosen as a Canadian Expert Resource for the UNDP's Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) program in Southern Sudan. The DDR program is an integral part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Government of Sudan and the Government of southern Sudan. To find out more about the UNDP's DDR program, visit: http://www.sd.undp.org/projects/cp4.htm

This past fall, 2010, Roger Samson traveled to southern Sudan as part of a team of sectoral experts. The objective is to create linkages with sustainable economic recovery activities and generate innovative options for up-scaling or broadening agri-based options for ex-combatants and women associated with armed forces choosing agriculture as their reintegration option. Southern Sudan remains a predominantly agrarian-based economy. As such, it is expected that a significant portion on participants in the reintegration program will select agriculture, agri-business or livestock options for their reintegration packages.

Over the next eighteen months, Mr. Samson will provide technical advice and training to the implementing partners on the delivery of economic reintegration support in the agriculture sector. The three main activities will be: capacity building on project implementation and management; adaptation and refinement of start up kit content; and, the development of a comprehensive farmer training program.