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Public consultation on the Joint EU-Africa Strategy Results of the first phase of the consultation

Public consultation on the Joint EU-Africa Strategy Results of the first phase of the consultation. African Union Pre-summit civil society forum Accra, Ghana, 19-21 June 2007. Context. Public consultation jointly launched by AUC and EC on 5 February on the basis of 5 themes

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Public consultation on the Joint EU-Africa Strategy Results of the first phase of the consultation

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  1. Public consultation on the Joint EU-Africa StrategyResults of the first phase of the consultation African Union Pre-summit civil society forum Accra, Ghana, 19-21 June 2007

  2. Context • Public consultation jointly launched by AUC and EC on 5 February on the basis of 5 themes • Aim : to seek the views of European and African civil society • First phase of the consultation ended on 15 May : adoption of the outline by the joint EU-Africa Ministerial Troika • Public consultation: • Joint Internet consultation : 200 comments, 40 position papers • Various events/ seminars on both continents : Accra, Bad Honnef • Role of ECDPM: facilitator of the public consultation in Europe and of the public consultation • Presentation of the results of the first phase of the consultation

  3. Process: some scepticism • Limited timeline: Lisbon summit could be a milestone and more extended consultation necessary : will it allow a proper involvement • Doubts on how comments will be taken on board by decision makers • Unequal access to Internet and many relevant debates taking place in other fora • Consultation so far is only a start • Reflection needed on what happens after the Summit => Call to move “from consultation to involvement”

  4. Key messages Wish for real change in EU-Africa relations and for a new relationship based on: • a new set of principles (e.g. respect, equality) • a joint strategy that goes beyond aid to include a wide range of global issues; • a people centered and people driven partnership • future Strategy should be based on critical assessment of existing policies/partnership • Need for concrete commitments

  5. Shared vision • Call for an equal partnership based on the principles such as respect and mutual accountability. • Necessity to move away from a fragmented EU-Africa relationship and to adapt the existing policies and instruments accordingly • Increased participation of non-state actors, in policy-formulation, implementation and evaluation through a structured multi-stakeholder dialogue mechanism • Upgrade the EU-Africa partnership by building alliances within global fora

  6. Governance, democracy & human rights • African grown initiatives and instruments should be supported by the EU : EU governance initiative • Key role of the local level and civil society in ensuring governance • Widespread violations of human rights in Africa: opportunity for the EU to strengthen its support to African human rights mechanisms. • The joint Strategy should provide a framework to discuss contentiousissues such as Zimbabwe • Mutual accountability is key : ‘governance of aid’

  7. Key development issues • MDGs: shared basis for the joint strategy. • EU to deliver on its ODA and aid effectiveness commitments. • Call for total African debt cancellation • Equal access to social services by all people to be ensured in order to achieve the MDGs: vulnerable groups, gender • Migration : need to address root causes, brain drain, foreign remittances, role of diaspora, protection of the rights of migrants and refugees • Health and education must remain a priority • Europe’s specific responsibility in climate change should be recognised

  8. Trade and regional integration • EU should modify its agricultural policy in a more development oriented manner • Strong recommendations on EPAs : • to integrate safeguard mechanisms into the EPAs, • to grant the developing countries preferential treatment, • to extend the timeframe for the EPA negotiations, • Supply side constraints should be further addressed and public-private partnerships enhanced • Private sector could be more structurally associated to policy formulation and implementation • Africa’s own integration process should be supported

  9. Peace and security • Close link between development and security but influence of other policies (trade, energy): EU and African engagements should be ‘conflict sensitive’. • Peace and security should be based on human security with a sustained holistic approach • Conflict prevention should be prioritised • Supporting African capacity / ownership of conflict prevention and resolution through APSA is a priority • Local / civil society participation and ownership : fundamental for sustainable and effective peace and development efforts • Control of arms trading and mercenary pursuit

  10. Which civil society concerns are reflected in the 15 May outline? • 3 reports presented to the joint expert meeting • Some correspondence between civil society ideas and experts, i.e. peace and security • Some consensual ideas integrated : • Acknowledgment of the role of civil society • Action plan • Right to development, human security • Support to African’s own integration process • Equal access to social services by women and vulnerable groups => Which concerns are not reflected yet?

  11. Possible agenda issues for the second phase of the consultation • EPAs : Lisbon Summit high jacked by EPAs? • More pro-development European agricultural policy • Stronger integration of the role of civil society as a governance player, EU governance initiative, human rights • Promotion of conflict sensitive policies by the EU and Africa • Migration : outline focusing on the Tripoli Declaration => Some aspects not included : endorsement of international convention on migrants rights and protection

  12. Possible agenda issues for the second phase of the consultation • Delivery of EU commitments in terms of ODA level and aid effectiveness : 10th EDF • African debt cancellation : double standards • Added value of the future joint Strategy compared to existing agreements and instruments • Definition of concretecommitments to beef up the outline • Civil society “moving from consultation to involvement” : how will the monitoring mechanisms be conceived in order to involve civil society?

  13. Timeframe until the Lisbon Summit Institutional negotiations: • Regular joint expert meetings • EU-Africa joint Ministerial in October : more finalised version of the Strategy • Lisbon Summit : beginning of December • Decision making process carried out both in Europe and in Africa : AU Executive Council, EU Council of Ministers Civil society events: • EU-Africa civil society conference organised by the Portuguese NGO platform : 29-31 October • EU-Africa Youth Forum organised by the North South Centre in December

  14. Conclusion Process opportunities • In Europe: reflection on how to start a more structural dialogue between EU civil society and EU experts on this topic • How to link the various civil society initiatives in Europe and Africa? • Joint lobbying Strategy Conclusions • How to influence the agenda of the Summit? • Key question: what will the joint Strategy change in EU-Africa relations?

  15. Thank you for your attention… Marie-Laure de Bergh mdb@ecdpm.org For more information : www.europafrica.org www.ecdpm.org

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