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

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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