180 likes | 300 Views
WORLD BANK SEMINAR. LINKAGES BETWEEN PARLIAMENTS, THE AU AND NEPAD IN SADC 28 th TO 29 th JANUARY 2004. THE AFRICAN UNION – VISION, ORGANS AND PROGRESS PRESENTED BY MS. SUSAN SIKANETA EXECUTIVE SECRETARY AFRICAN UNION SOUTHERN AFRICA REGIONAL OFFICE P.O. Box 30898 LILONGWE 3, MALAWI
E N D
WORLD BANK SEMINAR LINKAGES BETWEEN PARLIAMENTS, THE AU AND NEPAD IN SADC 28th TO 29th JANUARY 2004
THE AFRICAN UNION – VISION, ORGANS AND PROGRESS PRESENTED BY MS. SUSAN SIKANETA EXECUTIVE SECRETARY AFRICAN UNION SOUTHERN AFRICA REGIONAL OFFICE P.O. Box 30898 LILONGWE 3, MALAWI Tel. + 265 1 775 335
INTRODUCTION • Africa at a crossroads • Transformation of the OAU to the AU • Need for a clear vision • The need to champion the African cause 3
THE VISION • United and Strong Africa • Regional cooperation and economic integration means of achieving unity and solidarity • Peace, security and stability critical considerations • Sustainable economic development 4
OBJECTIVES • achieve greater unity and solidarity between the African countries and the peoples of Africa; • defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of its Member States; • accelerate the political and socio-economic integration of the continent; • promote and defend African common positions on issues of interest to the continent and its peoples; • encourage international cooperation, taking due account of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; 5
OBJECTIVES • promote peace, security, and stability on the continent; • promote democratic principles and institutions, popular participation and good governance; • promote and protect human and peoples’ rights in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and other relevant human rights instruments; • establish the necessary conditions which enable the continent to play its rightful role in the global economy and in international negotiations; • promote sustainable development at the economic, social and cultural levels as well as the integration of African economies; 6
OBJECTIVES • promote co-operation in all fields of human activity to raise the living standards of African peoples; • coordinate and harmonise the policies between the existing and future Regional Economic Communities for the gradual attainment of theobjectives of the Union; • advance the development of the continent by promoting research in all fields, in particular in science and technology; • work with relevant international partners in the eradication of preventable diseases and the promotion of good health on the continent. 7
ORGANS OF THE UNION • The Assembly The Supreme Organ of the Union • Heads of State and Government • Executive Council • Foreign Ministers • The Pan-African Parliament • The Court of Justice 8
ORGANS OF THE UNION • The AU Commission • Permanent Representatives Committee • Specialized Technical Committees • Economic, Social and Cultural Council 9
AFRICA’S ECONOMIC PROGRAMME • NEW PARTNERSHIP FOR AFRICA’S DEVELOPMENT (NEPAD) • AU ECONOMIC PROGRAMME 10
CHANGING FACE OF AFRICA • Africa sick and tired of living in misery • High poverty levels • HIV/AIDS, Malaria etc • Regional Conflicts • Droughts • Development of Culture of Cooperation 11
CHANGING FACE OF AFRICA • Commitment to Common Values • Democracy • Peace and Security • Rule of Law • Respect for Human Rights • Regional cooperation and economic integration • Unity, solidarity and progress • African Leaders championing the African cause and vision • One Vision • One Identity • One Hope 12
PROGRESS • The Roadmap So Far • 25 May 1963, Addis Ababa Founding of the OAU • 1991, Abuja Treaty establishing the African Economic Community • 1993 Established Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution • 1999, Algiers Decision on unconstitutional changes in Governments 13
PROGRESS The Roadmap So Far • 9 September 1999, Sirte Declaration calling for the establishment of an African Union • 2000 Declaration on the Conference on Security Stability Development and Cooperation • 2000, Lome Constitutive Act of the African Union entered into force • 2001, Lusaka NEPAD adopted as a program of the AU 14
PROGRESS The Roadmap So Far • 2002, Durban Launch of the African Union and First Assembly of the Heads of state and Government of the African Union • 2002, Durban Declaration on the principles governing democratic elections in Africa • 2003, Maputo Members of the Commission elected and appointed 15
PROGRESS • Protocols • Court of Justice • Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of the Women in Africa • Peace and Security Council • The Pan-African Parliament • African Court on Human Rights 16
CONCLUSION SUCCESS FACTORS • All stakeholders to understand and support • Mobilisation, sensitization and popularisation • Investing in the collective power of the AU • Strategic Management and performance 17
FOOD FOR THOUGHT • Africa can not be marginalised if Africans did not marginalise themselves • The 21st Century belongs to Africa THANK YOU 18