MEDIA ADVISORY

Symposium on the 2025 African Union Theme of the Year

INVITATION TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES

What: Symposium on the 2025 African Union Theme of the Year

When: 10th February, 2025

Time: 9 a.m. EAT

Who: Economic Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), in collaboration with AMANI Africa, Ethiopian CSOs Council, FEMNET, Reform Initiatives, Pan-African Lawyers Union, Trust Africa, Tax Justice Network-Africa and Stop the Bleeding Campaign.

Where: Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

In February 2023, during the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Heads of State declared 2025 as the Year of “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.” The theme highlights the enduring impact of colonization, trans-Atlantic slavery, and systemic discrimination on global inequality and Africa’s underdevelopment.

The reparations agenda aims to address historical injustices while tackling contemporary issues like systemic racism, economic exclusion, and Africa’s marginalization in global decision-making. It represents a call for unity among Africans and the African diaspora to advocate for justice, equity, and redress.

While this declaration is a significant milestone, its successful implementation requires robust strategies, clear communication, and coordinated efforts. Misunderstandings about the theme’s objectives and limited institutional collaboration could hinder its progress. For the reparations agenda to drive transformative change, active participation from civil society organizations (CSOs), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), governments, and the African diaspora is critical.

EVENT OVERVIEW

To address these challenges and galvanize action, the African Union Economic Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), in collaboration with AMANI Africa and the Ethiopian CSOs Council, will host a Symposium on the AU Theme of the Year 2025, on 10 February 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The event will take place on the sidelines of the AU Summit, providing a unique platform for multi-stakeholder engagement.

The symposium aims to demystify the AU’s roadmap for the 2025 theme, enhance awareness, and promote structured collaboration among AU organs, Member States, CSOs, and the African diaspora. Discussions will focus on aligning efforts, identifying priorities, and empowering grassroots advocacy for reparative justice.

Key Objectives:

• Present the concept note and roadmap for the 2025 AU Theme of the Year.
• Strengthen understanding of the theme’s scope, objectives, and strategies.
• Establish mechanisms for collaboration between stakeholders.
• Create a platform for dialogue to identify challenges, priorities, and solutions.
• Empower grassroots advocacy for reparative justice.

Media houses are invited to cover the opening at 9:00 a.m. EAT at Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, or via livestreaming through this link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_N0TovbGDSmiCgZ_Zro9QMA#/registration

 For in person participation please register here: https://forms.gle/5tp25kTQLtz3g7kdA

For further information, please contact:

Carol Jilombo Senior Communications Officer | African Union ECOSOCC | Lusaka, Zambia | Email: Jilomboc@africa-union.org