From South Africa's transition to global thought leadership

ACCORD was founded in Durban in 1992 to support South Africa’s transition to democracy. Since then it has worked across the continent: mediating between leaders, training peacekeepers and police, supporting civil society, and working with the African Union and the United Nations. For much of that time it worked quietly, because mediators depend on being seen as neutral. As it stepped forward as a thought leader, it needed to be seen and heard.

For 25 years we have been ACCORD’s full-service agency: brand, website, film and creative direction from one team. The website began as a simple organisational profile and grew into a publishing portal for ACCORD’s journals, magazines, research and news. Every new piece of work, from an anniversary identity to a documentary, builds on the last, so ACCORD speaks with one consistent voice.

Film has been central to that voice. A History of Mediation in Africa marked 50 years of the OAU and African Union. In support of peace, from presidents to foot soldiers explained ACCORD’s work for its 20th anniversary, and 30 Years of ACCORD marked three decades. One Nation followed its support for peace in the Central African Republic, 25 Years of African Peace Operations recorded how Africa became the largest contributor to peace operations, and Global Peace introduced its newest initiative.

When COVID-19 stopped travel and meetings in 2020, ACCORD had to move its work online almost overnight. We helped it make that change, and launched the Conflict & Resilience Monitor on its website. The Monitor began as a regular briefing on how the pandemic was affecting peace and security in Africa, from political unrest to gender-based violence and cross-border tensions. It is still published today, as monthly analysis of conflict trends across the continent.