News & Events

Event

AU Sensitization and Motivation Campaign in Senegal for the 2nd ECOSOCC General

19 August 2014

2ND ECOSOCC GENERAL ASSEMBLY : THE SENEGALESE CIVIL SOCIETY SETS UP AN AD HOC COMMITTEE TO PREPARE ITSELF FOR ELECTIONS

Dakar, Senegal - 19 August 2014 : The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad of the Republic of Senegal hosted, on 19 August 2014, a sensitisation and motivation meeting of the civil society to prepare for elections to the Second General Assembly of the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council, ECOSOC.

The meeting was officially opened by Mr. Amadou Kebe, Secretary General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who underscored the decisive role the civil society must play in the building and consolidation of the African Union. The civil society has its role to play and must do so within the framework of ECOSOCC, he said, while exhorting the Senegalese to prepare to be worthy representatives of African citizens.

Taking the floor on behalf of the African Union, Mr. Jalel Chelba, Head of Division in the Directorate of Citizens and Diaspora Organisations (CIDO) pointed out that the African Union Commission was working to ensure that the elections are organised before the end of this year, so as to enable the setting up of the ECOSOCC Assembly latest by December 2014. In this regard, he indicated that awareness efforts are centred on states that do not have a sufficient number of eligible candidates for the upcoming elections.

«Those you will choose will share the responsibility of decision-making and orientation of the continent and work with other stakeholders to accomplish our common objective, the objectives of African citizens », Mr. Chelba said, noting that the elected members of ECOSOCC will also have the duty to account for their actions and maintain effective communication with grassroots organisations for the welfare of our society. He further invited the civil society organisations to show proof of initiative for which the African civil society organisations are noted, and to make ECOSOCC a tool for constructive proposals, even though it is only an advisory body. « This is the big challenge and heavy responsibility we came to ask you to assume », he added. (see full speech on the African Union website : www.au.int)

The meeting was an opportunity to make presentations on the history, role and functions of ECOSOCC, its activities and procedures, including eligibility criteria to the Second General Assembly. The debate following the opening session helped to raise issues and concerns that were, in the opinion of participants, obstacles to their joining ECOSOCC, especially the procedures, that many pointed out as the cause of the low membership.

The provision relating to funding in article 6 of the Statute of ECOSOCC was also named among the barriers to joining ECOSOCC, the participants decried. Many called for the relaxation of the 50% own-capital clause, arguing that in the current state of affairs very few organizations can meet this requirement. They unanimously called for the creation of a fund to help civil society organisations to enable them to perform their duties without being forced to resort to foreign money.

The meeting agreed to set up, there and then, an ad hoc committee that will harmonise, support and guide the participation of the Senegalese civil society in elections to the 2nd General Assembly of ECOSOCC.

It should be noted that the kick-off of this campaign, initiated by the Directorate of Citizens and Diaspora Organisations of the AU Commission (CIDO), in accordance with the decision of the Executive Council (EX.CL/Dec.849 (XXV), adopted at the 23rd Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, was given on the 12th of this month, in Lusaka, Zambia. The campaign will continue until September and will cover the five regions of Africa before it ends.

On Friday, August 24, the third sensitisation meeting of the West Africa region will be held in Cotonou, Capital of Benin.

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Jalel Chelba, Head of Division, Civil Society, AUC| Directorate of Citizens and Diaspora Organisations | E-mail: Jalelc@africa-union.org

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Directorate of Information and Communication, African Union Commission|E-mail : dinfo@africa-union.org

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Event

AU Campaign Mission on ECOSOCC Sensitization Arrives in Namibia to Spread the Me

18 August 2014

Media Advisory

AU CAMPAIGN MISSION IN NAMIBIA TO ADVOCATE FOR THE ECOSOCC ELECTIONS

INVITATION TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES

What: The Mission of the African Union (AU) Sensitization and Motivation Campaign for the election of the 2nd General Assembly of the AU Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC).

When: 20th August 2014

Where: Hotel Safari, Windhoek, Namibia

Who: African Union Commission

Objective: The main objective of the AU Campaign in Namibia is to encourage and motivate the Namibian civil society community to register and participate in the continent-wide process of elections into the 2nd ECOSOCC Permanent General Assembly.

Background:

The African Union (AU) Sensitization and Motivation Campaign comes in compliance to Decision EX.CL/ 849(XXV) of the AU Executive Council, of June 2014 in Malabo, that mandated the Commission to conduct the campaign and to ensure that a new ECOSOCC Assembly is established before the end of the year 2014.

Namibia is a third stop of the Campaign that was previously undertaken in Zambia and Zimbabwe. The sensitization meeting with Namibian CSOs would include interactive session and presentations on the history, role, election process of the ECOSOCC, the summit decisions, application processes and procedures and the future of ECOSOCC as an organ.

Media representatives in Namibia are invited to take part and cover the Campaign.

For any further information please contact :

Ms. Afrah Thabit, Directorate of Information and Communication, E mail : Thabitma@africa-union.org, afraht@hotmail.com Cell: 081-0383606

For further information contact

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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Event

AU Campaign Mission on ECOSOCC Sensitization Arrives in Namibia to Spread the Me

18 August 2014

Media Advisory

AU CAMPAIGN MISSION IN NAMIBIA TO ADVOCATE FOR THE ECOSOCC ELECTIONS

INVITATION TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES

What: The Mission of the African Union (AU) Sensitization and Motivation Campaign for the election of the 2nd General Assembly of the AU Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC).

When: 20th August 2014

Where: Hotel Safari, Windhoek, Namibia

Who: African Union Commission

Media representatives in Namibia are invited to take part and cover the Campaign.

For any further information please contact :

Ms. Afrah Thabit, Directorate of Information and Communication, E mail : Thabitma@africa-union.org, afraht@hotmail.com Cell: 081-0383606

Event

AU Sensitization and Motivation Campaign in Zimbabwe for the 2nd ECOSOCC General

15 August 2014

AU Sensitization and Motivation Campaign in Zimbabwe for the 2nd ECOSOCC General Assembly

Harare, Zimbabwe, 15 August 2014 – Representatives of various civil society organizations in Zimbabwe met in Kariba Conference Room of Holiday Inn in Samora Machel Avenue, Harare, to participate in the awareness and motivation campaign organized by the African Union through its Citizens and Diaspora Organizations Directorate (CIDO). The campaign was held in compliance with Decision EX.CL/Dec.849(XXV), adopted at the 23rd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea fro, 24-27 June 2014. The Decision called on the AU Commission to conduct a sensitization campaign among Member States that did not have a sufficient number of eligible candidates for elections into the 2nd ECOSOCC General Assembly that will be established before the end of 2014.

The deliberation began with opening remarks by Ambassador Lazarous Kapambwe the Advisor of the AU Chairperson. He urged the government and people of Zimbabwe to work closely in partnership with ECOSOCC and CIDO to achieve the objectives of the sensitization campaign and noted that participation in ECOSOCC offered African civil society the opportunity and privilege to share power and responsibility for guidance of the continent.

Subsequently, Mr. Joseph Chilengi, a member of the 1st ECOSOCC General Assembly highlighted the benefits of CSO participation in the ECOSOCC framework and the need for the Zimbabwe civil society community to organize itself adequately to assume responsibility for determining the direction of the continent. He discussed the achievements of previous ECOSOCC Assemblies and acknowledged that some mistakes were made in the processes of their operations. He called on the African civil society to learn from the achievements and the mistakes and to use both as a lesson for mapping the way forward.

In turn, Dr. Jinmi Adisa, the Director of CIDO, focused on the difficulties associated with the current ECOSOCC election process, the progress report submitted in this regard by the Commission to the Summit in Malabo, options considered by the African leaders and their decision that called for a continent-wide sensitization and motivation campaign for ECOSOCC. He elaborated on how CSOs can and should take advantage of this process and related application procedures, processes and the eligibility criteria outlined in the ECOSOCC Statutes.

The presentations were followed by a very active and intense interactive sessions in which CSOs asked questions and made comments and observations.There was concern among delegates that Zimbabwean CSOs were not represented in the last ECOSOCC General Assembly (2008-2012) and a keen sense of determination that this should not be the case in the 2nd ECOSOCC Assembly.

The consequent discussion reflected on broad range of issues. These included the requirement for registration and the danger that it could be politicized, the criteria that fifty percent of the internal resources of CSOs should be internally derived, which some participants felt had not taken account of the special circumstances of countries such as Zimbabwe and South Sudan and the functioning of their economies, as well as the need for continental ECOSOCC to be complemented and interlinked to correspondent regional structures at RECs levels. Some CSOs also stressed the need to balance obligations arising from participation in policy-making processes with normal watchdog responsibilities of CSOs.

Finally, the discussion was concluded with agreement on a strategy for moving forward. The Harare deliberation was well attended. Even so, the CSOs resolved to form a Steering Committee that would carry the message forward horizontally and vertically to all CSO groups across the country in Zimbabwe. The AU delegation was also requested to send representative(s) to the civil society expo in Harare on 4-5 September 2014 that would attract CSOs from all nooks and corners of the country.

The meeting which was attended by a Representative of the Foreign Ministry of Zimbabwe ended on this high note.

For any further information please contact :

Ms. Afrah Thabit, Directorate of Information and Communication, E mail : Thabitma@africa-union.org, afraht@hotmail.com

Event

AU Campaign Mission for ECOSOCC Elections Proceeds to Zimbabwe

14 August 2014

AU Campaign Mission for ECOSOCC Elections Proceeds to Zimbabwe

Harare, Zimbabwe, 14 August 2014 – The African Union sensitization and Motivation Campaign Mission for elections into the 2nd General Assembly of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) arrived in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Thursday, 14 August 2014, after concluding the 1st leg of its mission in Lusaka, Zambia.

The composition of the mission includes Amb. Lazarous Kapambwe, the Special Advisor to the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr. Jinmi Adisa, Director, Citizens and Diaspora Directorate (CIDO), and experts from other relevant departments of the AU Commission. Its mandate is to invite, encourage and mobilize the African civil society community in Zimbabwe to enlist and participate actively in ECOSOCC elections and subsequent activities of the Organ.

As part of this process, a sensitization meeting with Zimbabwe CSOs will be held on 15 August 2014 in the Conference Room of the Holiday Inn, Samora Avenue, Harare. Moreover, the mission will meet with several civil society groups, government officials and others to brief them on the history, role, functions and activities of ECOSOCC and the African Union in general.

The mission will then proceed to Namibia and Lesotho. It is pertinent to note that the Sensitization and Motivation campaign is being conducted throughout the five regions of the continent in Member States that do not have sufficient eligible candidates for ECOSOCC Elections.

The sensitization program has two components. First, AU Regional Office where available will conduct the exercise in their country of location. Field missions directed from AU Headquarters will cover the other countries. Field missions will be carried out in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Togo, Senegal, Cape Verde, Benin, Angola, Botswana, Madagascar, Mozambique, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Eritrea, Seychelles, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, Mauritania, Tunisia, and Sierra Leone.

The deployment of these campaign missions comes in compliance with Decisions EX.CL/Dec.849 (XXV), adopted by the 23rd Ordinary Session the AU Assembly, held in Malabo, Equatorial, Equatorial Guinea, regarding the process of ECOSOCC Elections.

The Decision directed the AU Commission to conduct sensitization and mobilization campaign to encourage greater participation so as to obtain a sufficient number of candidates for the elections. It also requested the Commission to ensure that elections into the 2nd General Assembly of ECOSOCC was finalized before the end of the year 2014.

For any further information please contact :

Ms. Afrah Thabit, Directorate of Information and Communication, E mail : Thabitma@africa-union.org, afraht@hotmail.com

Event

AU Sensitization and Motivation Campaign in Togo for the ECOSOCC 2nd General Ass

14 August 2014

2ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF ECOSOCC: TOGOLESE CIVIL SOCIETY RESPONDS TO THE APPEAL BY THE AFRICAN UNION

Lome, (Togo) - 14 August 2014 : The history, role and the functions of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) of the African Union (AU), its activities and procedures, especially the eligibility criteria for election to the Second General Assembly, aroused keen interest from a large number of Togolese civil society organizations at a meeting organized on the initiative of the African Union Commission (AUC) on 14 August, 2014 at the Agora Senghor centre in Lome, Togo.

Representatives of eighty civil society organizations (CSO) from all spheres of activity responded to the invitation by the African Union Commission to participate actively in the sensitization and motivation campaign being organized for CSOs of the continent in preparation towards the 2nd ECOSOCC General Assembly elections.

The sensitization campaign, initiated by the Directorate of Citizens and Diaspora Organizations (CIDO) in pursuance of Executive Council Decision EX.CL/Dec.849(XXV) adopted by the 23rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, kicked off in Lusaka, Zambia on 12 August 2014. The sensitization campaign will continue till September at the end of which all the five regions of Africa will have been covered

At the opening session Mr Jalel Chelba, Head of Civil Society Division of CIDO/AUC, explained that ECOSOCC had a total membership of 150 comprising two representatives from each of the 54 Member States, 8 continental representatives, 10 sub-regional representatives, 20 members of the Diaspora and 6 representatives chosen by the African Union Commission in consultation with Member States and based on specific criteria. He added that ECOSOCC was an organ whose membership was elected by civil society and which represented civil society. ECOSOCC was an embodiment of the principle of democracy at its highest level since it was tasked with leading grassroot civil society organizations to the corridors where decisions were taken, thus enabling them to contribute their quota to the integration and sustainable development efforts of the continent.

Mr Chelba also stated that the AUC was expediting action with a view to finalizing the elections before the end of this year so as to inaugurate the ECOSOCC Assmbly by December 2014, at the latest. The organization was therefore focusing its campaign on the States that did not have sufficient number of eligible candidates for election (read the full speech on the African Union website: www.au.int .)

Officially opening the session, the Representative of the Togolese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, and Director of International Organizations, Mr Sébadé Toba, stated that organized civil society was very critical to ensuring good economic and political governance. He expressed his happiness with the initiative taken by the African Union to organize the sentization and mobilization tour which would not only lead to the enhancement of the prominence of ECOSOCC, but also give a fillip to the activities of civil society organizations in the interest of the population and the common organization that is the African Union. He urged Togolese civil society organizations to show keen interest in the discussions engaged and to participate in the ECOSOCC electoral process so as to ensure the quality representation of Togo on the important body.

The meeting was characterized by extensive and frank discussions which was widely covered by the media. The discussions focused primarily on the practical modalities for developing partnership with ECOSOCC as well as the procedures for the submission of applications. The participants enquired extensively about the relevance of the eligibility criteria. All were unanimous on the need to mobilize and join ECOSOCC but at issue was how many of them could meet the criteria, especially those relating to funding. That was the main question that had and continues to agitate the minds of most of them.

For more information contact:

Mr. Jalel Chelba, Head of Civil Society Division, AUC| Citizens and Diaspora Organizations Directorate|E-mail: Jalelc@africa-union.org

Mrs Habiba Mejri Scheikh| Director of Information and Communication| Directorate of Information and Communication AUC| E-mail: habibaM@africa-union.org

About the African Union

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Contact us at the:

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Event

AU Sensitization and Motivation Campaign in Togo for the ECOSOCC 2nd General Ass

14 August 2014

2ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF ECOSOCC: TOGOLESE CIVIL SOCIETY RESPONDS TO THE APPEAL BY THE AFRICAN UNION

Speeches

Opening Statement delivered by Mr Jalel Chelba, Division of Civil Society (Fr),

Opening Statement delivered by Mr Jalel Chelba, Division of Civil Society (Fr), to Togolese Civil Society Organizations at the ECOSOCC Sensitization and Motivation Campaign held in Togo

Event

AU Sensitization and Motivation Campaign in Zambia for the ECOSOCC 2nd General

12 August 2014

CIVIL SOCIETY IN ZAMBIA CALLED UPON TO PLAY GREATER ROLE IN THE AFRICAN UNION THROUGH THE ECOSOCC

Lusaka, Zambia, 12th August 2014: Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) of Zambia called upon to participate in the election of the 2nd General Assembly of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) of the African Union. This comes during a sensitization and motivation Campaign kicked off today by the African Union Commission (AUC), at the COMESA Conference Center, Lusaka, Zambia.

Opening the event, Ambassador Lazarous Kapambwe, Advisor to AU Chairperson, highlighted the importance of African CSOs participation in the ECOSOCC. He noted that this campaign on the AU brings the partnership of governments and civil society to new heights, as the governments of the African Union through its highest policy organs, the Executive is mobilizing the civil society to organize itself for leadership of the continent and to share power and responsibility with governments.

Speaking earlier, Amb. Dr. Kipyego Cheluget, Assistant Secretary General (Programs) of the COMESA, underlined the importance of collaboration with civil societies and other Non state actors such members of parliament, private sector organizations and other relevant groups for effective regional integration. “COMESA has been working closely with CSOs and Non state actors in Climate change, CADDP, ACTESA and Governance and Peace and Security programme” he added.

Welcoming the delegations, H.E. Amb. E.Kabanshi MP, Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health, Republic of Zambia, noted that it is important that Zambian civil society should take up the challenge of effective representation in ECOSOCC as a mark of patriotism, duty and continental obligation. He stressed the need for Zambia CSOs to participate in the ECOSOCC election process with enthusiasm in a manner that will surpass all expectations.

The Campaign featured presentations on the history, role, functions and importance of ECOSOCC by a former member of the ECOSOCC Assembly, Mr Chilengi , and the Malabo Summit Decision on ECOSOCC , the purpose of the sensitization and motivation program and details of the application procedure and process by Dr Adisa, the Director of CIDO. This was followed by a very active and lively interactive question and answer session.

Organized by the Citizenship and Diaspora Organizations Directorate of the AU Commission, the Campaign comes in compliance with the Decision EX.CL/Dec.849(XXV), adopted by the 23st Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly, held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, 20-27 June 2014, which called AU to conduct a sensitization and mobilization campaign with the aim of encouraging greater participation and gathering a sufficient candidatures from the African CSOs in the Member States for the election for the ECOSOCC 2nd General Assembly.

Zambia field mission is first of similar missions the Commission will conduct in the AU five regions during August and September 2014.

For any further information please contact :

Ms. Afrah Thabit, Directorate of Information and Communication, E mail : Thabitma@africa-union.org, afraht@hotmail.com Cell: +26097395740

Event

AU Sensitization and Motivation Campaign in Zambia for the ECOSOCC 2nd General

12 August 2014

CIVIL SOCIETY IN ZAMBIA CALLED UPON TO PLAY GREATER ROLE IN THE AFRICAN UNION THROUGH THE ECOSOCC

Zambia field mission is first of similar missions the Commission will conduct in the AU five regions during August and September 2014.

For any further information please contact :

Ms. Afrah Thabit, Directorate of Information and Communication, E mail : Thabitma@africa-union.org, afraht@hotmail.com Cell: +26097395740

Speeches

Welcome Address by Honourable E. Kabanshi MP, Minister of Community Development

Welcome Address by Honourable E. Kabanshi MP, Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health, Republic of Zambia, at the ECOSOCC Sensitization and Motivation Campaign for Zambia NGOs

COMESA Conference Hall

Lusaka, Zambia, 12 August 2014

Your Excellency, the Assistant Secretary-General (Programs) COMESA,

Colleagues from the AU and COMESA,

Distinguished Delegates of Civil Society,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with utmost pleasure that I address this august Assembly of civil society groups gathered here in Lusaka today. The government and people of Zambia feel honored that the African Union has chosen Zambia as the trailblazer in the ECOSOCC Sensitization and Motivation Campaign. Zambia was one of the Member States of the Union that adopted Decision EX.CL/Dec.849(XXV) on ECOSOCC Elections in Malabo. Zambia has always taken interest in the people-driven character of the AU. We also have a vibrant and lively civil society culture that has impacted critically on the development of programs and policies at national, regional and continental level. Zambia is proud of its people to people culture that is evident in our development spirit. It is therefore, only appropriate that the foundation of the African people’s parliament should be nourished here in Zambia.

On this note, I welcome the AU delegation as well as the African civil society community that are gathered here today to set in motion the process of establishing the 2nd ECOSOCC General Assembly. It is important that Zambian civil society should take up the challenge of effective representation in ECOSOCC as a mark of patriotism, duty and continental obligation. The challenge that faces our continent today is that of auto-centred development which requires a stakeholder society embracing all segments of the population.

The AU has created the institution of ECOSOCC as a people-oriented, people-centred and people-driven community in the African Union in which all stakeholders are effectively represented. It is therefore the entry point of a people-centred development. It is thus of concern that so far Zambia the cradle of civil society in our region and the continent at large, has not got sufficient eligible candidates for the elections. Our status is not well reflected in our conduct and embrace of obligations. This is a challenge that we must overcome and overcome effectively. I rely on your sense of duty and national and continental obligation to ensure that this is changed and changed immediately.

The Zambian civil society community has an obligation to do its duty and to put things right and thus to set the pace of our brother and sisters on the continent to follow. I urge you therefore, to listen to need the appeal of the African Union and then proceed to participate in the ECOSOCC election process with enthusiasm in a manner that will surpass all expectations. You also have the obligation to put our best organizations forward and seek effective and responsible leadership of the ECOSOCC Assembly.

Subsequently, ECOSOCC under such guidance must embrace the challenge of working with other stakeholders to promote security, development and co-operation on the continent. Our commitment to people-centred development must be interconnected at national, regional and continental levels. Civil Society must also watch itself and ensure that it takes on the mantle of leadership not just by criticism and adversarial altitudes but by embracing responsibility and showing dedication.

I urge all members of the African civil society community of Zambia to embrace this orientation here and now and work through ECOSOCC to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of our people and be able to represent them adequately.

On this note, I welcome AU colleagues once again to Zambia and wish you the very fruitful deliberations and stay in Zambia.

I thank you.

Speeches

Opening Statement delivered by Ambassador Lazarous Kapambwe, Advisor to the AU C

Opening Statement delivered by Ambassador Lazarous Kapambwe, Advisor to the AU Chairperson presented to the ECOSOCC Sensitization and Motivation Campaign, Lusaka, Zambia, 12 August 2014

Your Excellency, the Minister for Community Development, Republic of Zambia

Your Excellency, the Assistant Secretary-General (Programs) COMESA

Colleagues from the AU and COMESA

Members of the African Diplomatic Corps

Distinguished Delegates of Civil Society

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me distinct pleasure to be back here in Zambia today for this illustrious event. Our presence here today celebrates the people-oriented impetus of the African Union. The Constitutive Act of the Union stresses that it will be a partnership between governments and all segments of civil society. To uphold this cardinal principle, the Union provided for the establishment of a unique organ, the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union, a civil society organ that will participate directly in the policy making process of the AU.

The Organ is composed of about 150 members including two representatives for each of the 54 Member States, 5 continental representatives, 10 sub-regional representatives, 20 members of the Diaspora and 6 nominated representatives for special interest groups. The role and functions of the organ and its importance will be highlighted subsequently by a former member of the ECOSOCC General Assembly, its highest internal Organ. Suffices to say it is a body elected by civil society and representing civil society people for the people by the people.

ECOSOCC carries the principle of democracy to its highest level. It brings the grassroots to the portals of decision making where its own elected leaders interface directly with political leaders elected through universal suffrage to assume responsibility for the integration and development project of the continent.

We are here today to ensure that these democratic principles are implemented to the fullest. ECOSOCC has had two preceding parliaments. First, was the Interim Assembly from 2004-2007 under the leadership of the late venerable Wangari Maathai, our much acclaimed Nobel Laureate. She provided a solid foundation for the development of the Organ and ensure its recognition with both continental, regional and global levels, Prof. Maathai set the pace for the rising profile of ECOSOCC and adroitly led the process that put in place the 1st Permanent General Assembly that functioned between 2008-2013.

The Executive Council of the Union then directed the Commission of the Union to put in motion the process of electing the second General Assembly of ECOSOCC. The Commission began the process in earnest but was constrained from composing the ECOSOCC between 2012 and early 2014 because it could not get a quorum of eligible candidates for this purpose. The Commission then reported back to the Assembly and put forward a series of option and recommendations for moving forward. The precise and substantive details will be provided in a thematic presentation that will preface our interactive question and answer session.

What is important for us at this point is that the Executive Council through its Decision EX.CL/849(XXV) directed among other things that the Commission should undertake a sensitization and motivation campaign that will mobilize African Civil Society organizations to participate in the elections. Subsequently, the ECOSOCC Assembly must be composed by November or December 2014, certainly before the end of the year. The Commission is focusing the campaign on states that do not have sufficient number of eligible candidates for the elections.

This is the enterprise that we begin here in Zambia today and which will subsequently cover all the five regions of the continent.

It is remarkable to observe that this exercise brings the partnership of governments and civil society to new heights. It is an exercise in which governments of the Union through its highest policy organs, the Executive Council and Assembly is mobilizing the civil society to organize itself for leadership of the continent and to share power and responsibility with governments. The elections in which we are motivating you to participate in is solely an election for and by civil society. Civil society will be the electors and elected. Governments and the Union organs will be observers with legal representatives as the electoral commission. Thus, the fundamental process of states elections are now turned on its head, you will be forming a government and states will be the observers. The shoe is now on the foot and the challenge to civil society is to now do as you say. Show us off. Demonstrate those integrity and democratic principles that you reproach states for.

It is also important that those whom you have elected will share responsibility for policy and decision-making and guidance of the continent and must work with other stakeholders. This is the challenge and responsibility that we have come to ask you to take.

In this process, we wish to thank the government and people of Zambia for hosting this meeting and our sister organization, COMESA, for sharing the platform and responsibility of canvassing with us as a pillar of the AU. The notice we gave COMESA was short but they are here with us in the spirit of integration and the people-centred craving of our continent. We want to thank and salute them and to urge them to work closely together in partnership with ECOSOCC and our Citizenship Directorate (CIDO) to cement this enterprise.

Our greatest honor lies in the fellowship with the civil society community. We see the presence of the African Civil Society and the media as a clarion response to the call for service. Africa is “all of us together” and we are pledged to live, serve and die in the service of the motherland.

I thank you.