As part of the ongoing development of the harmonized institutional mechanism for the granting of observer and consultative status to CSOs (highlighted in the section above), ECOSOCC launched an online survey for the general public to gather the input of civil society organizations and the general African populace as a means of ensuring that ongoing work benefits from the maximum possible participation from ordinary Africans.
Executive Council Decision EX/CL 890 (XXVII) of June 2015 calls upon ECOSOCC to collaborate with the African Union Commission and AU member states to actively pursue a harmonised mechanism and clear criteria for the granting of AU consultative and observer status to CSOs in Africa.
Likewise, Executive Council Decision EX/CL/Dec. 869 (XXVI) of January 2015, calls on ECOSOCC to facilitate the establishment of national ECOSOCC Chapters as a framework for accountability of elected members, as well as a conduit for disseminating information and mobilising support for AU programmes and activities, in close collaboration with member states.
The African citizenry (including diaspora) were invited to contribute to the knowledge development process through a three-phase online public consultation that was complemented with a series of virtual consultations. The participatory process ensured the development of inclusive and robust frameworks for the accreditation of CSOs and the National ECOSOCC Chapters.
ECOSOCC is mandated to actively engage civil society in the processes and work of the Union, particularly with regards to Africa’s integration and development.
