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Africa-wide CSO Advocacy Strategy for engaging with the AU and other Regional Institutions:
Report on Roundtable organised by World Vision Africa1
World Vision Africa
22 November 2006, Nairobi
SARPN acknowledges Amboka Wameyo - Regional Advocacy Advisor - Africa as a source of this Report:
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Introduction
(extract from opening remarks by Prof Wilfred Mlay, Regional Vice President, World Vision Africa)
Since the African Union was launched in Durban in July 2002, it has quickly emerged as a pivotal institution in shaping the future of Africa. Its vision – to “build an integrated Africa, a prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena” – is one that all of us buy into and support unreservedly. The AU is already demonstrating its potential. It has sought to lead in conflict management and resolution efforts, notably in Sudan, Darfur
where it has dispatched African peacekeepers. It has begun asserting itself as interlocutor on trade issues, and was instrumental in developing a common African negotiating position in advance of the Hong Kong Ministerial of the World Trade Organisation in December 2005. It also mobilized African countries around the Africa-China partnership agenda, and is doing the same in advance of the 2007 Africa-EU Summit.
Three things have emerged as being of critical importance to civil society organisations: the importance of working in partnerships; the need to share experiences; and the fact that the various Pan Africa institutions themselves have recognised that good policies emanate from active engagement with citizens and civil society organisations. All of these combined to spark World Vision’s interest in continental policy advocacy, to commission research on CSOs and the AU, and to invite other civil society organisations to the deliberations on the AU and other regional institutions in Africa.
The Roundtable deliberations provide a useful opportunity to share insights into both the Africa Union and its organs, and the strategies CSOs are developing and implementing to help reinforce and influence the AU agenda.
Footnote:
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With support from WV UK and WV Australia.
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