Africa: CSO Consultation on Engagement with AU
FEMNET and CREDO invite African civil society organisations to a consultation on engagement with the African Union to be held in Nairobi 13-14 January 2006. The organisers hope to facilitate discussions on how to progress thematic, sub-regional or country specific areas of work within a Pan African context. The consultation will have a modest agenda around the Khartoum Summit in January 2006 and future autonomous civil society engagement with the AU. The Khartoum Summit presents a potentially tricky moment for the AU with the on-going investigation by the ICC into allegations of international crimes, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and possible genocide, against elements of the government of the Summit’s host government and its allied militias. Sudanese CSO’s are also under assault from a raft of new measures designed to marginalise them. The consultation also offers an opportunity to bring these concerns sufficiently to the attention of the summit and delegations attending it. Should you (or a suitable representative - preferably a woman be interested in and able to participate, kindly confirm your participation as soon as possible or by Thursday January 5th 2006 with Roselynn Musa at fax: (254) 20.3742927 or email: [email][email protected]
December 13, 2005
Re: Invitation to the African Civil Society Consultation on Engagement with the African Union (AU)
On behalf of the coordinating committee for the African Civil Society Consultation on Engagement with the African Union (AU), the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) and CREDO for Freedom of Expression and Associated Rights are pleased to invite you to attend a two-day consultation, scheduled to take place from January 13-14, 2006 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The consultation, bringing together African civil society and the African diaspora aspires to develop an effective demand and partnership platform with the African Union (AU). It also hopes to facilitate discussions on how to progress thematic, sub-regional or country specific areas of work within a Pan African context. The consultation will have a modest agenda around the Khartoum Summit in January 2006 and future autonomous civil society engagement with the AU. Click here for draft programme and concept paper for the consultation.
The Khartoum Summit also presents a potentially tricky moment for the AU with the on-going investigation by the ICC into allegations of international crimes, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and possible genocide, against elements of the government of the Summit’s host government and its allied militias. Sudanese CSO’s are also under assault from a raft of new measures designed to marginalise them. The consultation also offers an opportunity to bring these concerns sufficiently to the attention of the summit and delegations attending it.
Should you (or a suitable representative from your organisation) be interested in and able to participate, kindly confirm your participation as soon as possible or by Thursday January 5th 2006 with Roselynn Musa at fax: (254) 20.3742927 or email: [email][email protected]
Organisations are strongly urged to send female delegates as the organisers are striving to achieve 50/50 gender parity participation.
Sponsorship is available for a limited number of places based on sub regional/Geographic and thematic representation namely:
Central Africa, East and Horn of Africa, North Africa, Southern Africa, West Africa and the African Diaspora
Democracy and (good) governance; Human rights; Gender equality and women’s rights; Freedom of expression and the media; Academic and intellectual freedom; Economic and social rights; Human Security, peace, conflict and internally displaced and refugee rights; Food security; Health with special attention to HIV/AIDS and other public health issues; Legal and policy analysis; International financing, investment and trade; Environment; Human and social development; Education, science and technology and ICT; Historical and cultural rights
Indications of interest should state which of the geographical and thematic areas you/your organisation work in also sending in a maximum one page paper outlining thematic and REC/Country specific issues and areas you are prioritising.
If you wish to be a discussant on any thematic area kindly send in a maximum of a further one page synopsis.
We look forward to your presence at and active participation in the consultation.
Sincerely
L. Muthoni Wanyeki
Executive Director
For Coordinating Committee