Join us for the 20th Anniversary Commemoration in Accra

Established on 4th July 2004 and now headquartered in Lusaka Zambia, the Economic Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) serves as an advisory organ of the African Union. Its role is to facilitate a dynamic interface between AU Member States and the African populace, harnessing the expertise of civil society organizations (CSOs) and the broader community, including the private sector, in policy development and implementation. As ECOSOCC marks its 20th anniversary in 2024, it is welcoming CSOs both on the continent and the diaspora to join the team in celebrating this significant milestone, which underscores two decades of citizen engagement and African solidarity. This commemoration holds significance in recalling the vision of the African Union, which aims for "An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena." It is a timely occasion to reinstate the African Citizenry at the centre of the continental development agenda with the imminent rollout of the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063. Year 2024 also marks an era of unprecedented progress with the much-awaited roll-out of the ECOSOCC National Chapters in AU Member States thus serving as conduit for disseminating information and mobilizing support for AU programs and activities.

 

The commemoration aims to:

• Reflect on the achievements and challenges of ECOSOCC since its inception, evaluating its contributions to the AU's goals,
• Provide an inclusive platform for African CSOs to express their perspectives and aspirations for the continent's future,
• Popularize the AU and Agenda 2063 among African citizens and strengthen partnerships with stakeholders across various sectors to bolster the implementation of Agenda 2063 and other development initiatives with special emphasis on the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA)
• Facilitate the sharing of policy inputs and capacities, fostering collaborative efforts towards the continental development agenda,
• Consolidate practical recommendations to inform future development plans, integrating insights gained during the past two decades of existence of the organ.
   

As ECOSOCC gears up to celebrate its 20th Anniversary, the event is poised to be a significant public gathering, anticipating a physical turnout of 300+ participants and around 1000+ online attendees. This commemoration is designed to be both inclusive and focused, drawing together a diverse range of voices and perspectives, ensuring substantial representation from Member States and other key stakeholders.
Set against the backdrop of the 6th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (MYCM) of the AU and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), #ECOSOCC20 is set to welcome Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), representatives of AU Member States/RECs, International Organisations, development partner institutions and the African Diaspora all coming together to commemorate this milestone. This amalgamation of attendees is in line with the event's objective to encourage wide-ranging and comprehensive dialogue, reflective of the diverse and vibrant group of stakeholders crucial to the mission and vision of ECOSOCC. This blend of participants from various sectors and backgrounds, including combined with the strategic timing alongside the MYCM, creates a unique opportunity for meaningful interaction and collaboration, further enhancing the impact and significance of AU-ECOSOCC's 20th Anniversary.

#ECOSOCC20 flagship commemorations come with a pack of meticulously planned activities; kickstarting with an exhibition on #ECOSOCC20 and #APSA20. A grand Gala Event is scheduled on 17th July attracting a plethora of stakeholders including representatives of AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and International Partners amongst others. The Gala Event will showcase the evolution of ECOSOCC and further provide a platform to reflect on the journey beyond 20 years. The 2024 Citizens Forum is also being anchored under the #ECOSOCC20 celebrations and will revolve around democracy and institutional resilience and with a strong focus on development for a peaceful Africa. A ‘Media Breakfast’ and a number of partners sponsored side-events will also add to the panoply activities.