ACCORD’s current five-year vision (2017–2021) seeks to respond to a continental and global context that is characterised by extractive economic systems, socio-economic marginalisation, identity driven exclusion, social protest, demographic pressures of rapidly growing and more youthful populations, and competition over natural resources. This vision is supported by 6 strategic pillars which seek to reinforce the institutional capacity of the AU and RECs to prevent and peacefully resolve conflicts; to strengthen local and national capacities for peace to promote their proactive engagement in peace processes; to enhance the role of women to influence, lead and participate in peace processes; to increase the participation of youth; to increase knowledge, policy support for, and the integration of the drivers of conflict and to contribute to strengthening the early warning and conflict prevention mechanisms on the conflict.