MEDIA ADVISORY

AU-CSO Continental consultation on the Africa-EU joint strategy (JAES)

INVITATION TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES

WHAT: Convening of the AU-CSO Continental consultation on the Africa-EU joint strategy (JAES).
WHEN: 27-28 November 2014
WHERE: VIP Grand Maputo Hotel, Maputo, Mozambique
WHO: AUC/CIDO; Civil society organizations (CSO) from across the five regions of the continent.

OBJECTIVES EXPECTED
• To review the outcomes of the 4th Africa-EU summit and its new implementation architecture
• To define Africa priorities in this context across the board and in specific thematic areas
• To define continental and intercontinental CSO priorities with in the JAES framework and the challenges of co-responsibility with other stakeholders
• To prepare for effective follow-up and implementation bodies for the 2014 and 2017 road map
• To respond actively and constructively to the responsibility bestowed on the consultative group with in the framework of the Africa-EU strategy to provide the platform for African CSOs to work together to support comprehensive stakeholder participation in the process
• To set stage for the consolidation of an intercontinental CSO platform in early 2015.

BACKGROUND
The Africa-EU joint strategy declaration has constantly placed priority on the active involvement of civil society as a pillar for facilitating and promoting a broad-based and wide ranging people-centred partnership between the two continents. As a result both sides have established continental CSO structures including a steering committee and continental consultation forum, to input directly into the process enhance CSO space and prepare CSO contribution towards its implementation strategy.

Following the 4th Africa-EU summit in Brussels in 2014 participations are now underway for the continental CSO platforms to collate and consolidate their respective continental inputs to feed into a common intercontinental CSO platform. The EU-CSO steering committee has begun the process of undertaking a broad survey to identify the contribution and needs of youth, CSOs Think tanks and social and economic actors among non- state actors in Europe. The Africa-CSO forum is now initiating a similar process as part of the participations for a consolidated intercontinental CSO forum in early 2015.

Media representatives are invited to cover the event from 27-28 November 2014 in Maputo, Mozambique

For any inquiry, please contact:
DIC:
Mr. Michael Fikre,
Directorate of information and communication (DIC)
Africa union commission
Tel: +258 842092290
E-mail: michaelf@africa-union.org

CIDO Department:
Mr. Jalel Chelba,
Head of Division, Civil Society Division
African Union Commission
E-mail: JalelC@africa-union.org

Mr. Filipe Alimo Furuma,
Desk officer, Civil Society Division
African Union Commission
E-mail: FurumaA@africa-union.org