WHAT: Commemoration of the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC)'s 20th Anniversary | #ECOSOCC20
WHEN:
- 17th July 2024: MoU signing between AU-ECOSOCC and European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the press briefing on ECOSOCC20;
- 18th July, 2024: Opening of the Citizen's Forum on Democracy and Institutional Resilience;
- 20th July , 2024: ECOSOCC- African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) Media Breakfast Meeting.
WHO: Representative of the Government of the Republic of Ghana; H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission; Dr. Onyekachi Macaulay O. Kalu, Chairman, Secretary General, AU6RG / ECASR; Mr. Oliver Röpke, President, EESC; Mr. Khalid Boudali, Presiding Officer, ECOSOCC; H.E Timothy Kabba, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Republic of Sierra Leone; H.E Moussa Mara; Former Prime-Minister of Mali (2014-2015) and member of Club de Madrid; Barrister Akere Muna, Presiding Officer, first ECOSOCC Permanent General Assembly; PAP President, Hon. Fortune Charumbira; CEO AUDA-NEPAD, Nardos Bekele-Thomas and many more notable dignitaries.
WHERE: Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Accra.
BACKGROUND
Since its inception in 2004, the African Union Economic, Social, and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC), the advisory organ of the AU, has been instrumental in integrating civil society into the decision-making processes of the Union. As ECOSOCC marks its 20th anniversary in July 2024, it reflects on a journey characterised by significant contributions to fostering civic engagement, advancing policy development, and implementing initiatives across Africa. This milestone serves as an opportunity to assess progress in enhancing interaction between the African Union and the continent's citizens, demonstrating two decades of dedication to promoting Pan-African values and driving socio-economic and cultural development across the continent.
EVENT OVERVIEW
The #ECOSOCC20 commemoration reaffirms the AU's vision for "an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa, driven by its citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena." Thus, this milestone shows the key role of African citizens in shaping the continent's development agenda, particularly with the rollout of Agenda 2063's Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan. Additionally, 2024 marks a pivotal era in ECOSOCC's mandate including enhancing information dissemination and mobilisation for AU programs and activities. Therefore, the week-long celebration will feature a diverse array of key activities that highlight ECOSOCC's multifaceted contributions.
OBJECTIVES
- To review ECOSOCC's accomplishments and challenges in advancing AU objectives.
- To establish an inclusive platform for African CSOs to articulate their perspectives and aspirations for Africa's future.
- To promote awareness of the AU and Agenda 2063 among African citizens, cultivating partnerships across sectors to propel continental development.
- To enhance visibility of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA).
- To solicit civil society's insights on democracy and institutional resilience in Africa.
- To facilitate the exchange of policy insights and capacities, fostering collaborative efforts toward Africa's development agenda.
- To synthesize actionable recommendations based on two decades of ECOSOCC's contributions to inform future development plans.
NOTABLE ATTENDEES
Set against the backdrop of the African Union's 6th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (MYCM), #ECOSOCC20 expects participants from CSOs, AU member states, AU Commission, RECs, International Organizations, development partners, and the African Diaspora. This diverse gathering aims to facilitate comprehensive dialogue, essential for ECOSOCC's mission and vision.
Media Representatives are invited to attend the following at the Kempinski Hotel, Accra:
- 17th July 2024: MoU signing between ECOSOCC and EESC and the press briefing on ECOSOCC20 at 10.30a.m.
- 18th July, 2024: Opening of the Citizen's Forum on Democracy and Institutional Resilience at 9 a.m.
- 20th July, 2024: ECOSOCC- African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) Media Breakfast Meeting.
