[AU-Monitor] Civil Society explore closer collaboration on influencing the AU

[Firoze Manji]

Civil Society explore closer collaboration on influencing the AU

A number of civil society organizations keen on engaging the AU  
around key policy discourses are set to meet in Nairobi for a  
strategy meeting on January 21, 2007. The meeting, scheduled to be  
held at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies in Nairobi, Kenya, will  
explore synergies for closer collaboration. It is organized by the  
Southern Africa Poverty Research Network(SARPN) and Oxfam GB.

The meeting seeks to provide a platform for sharing and learning  
based on the lessons and experiences gained in engaging the AU,  
monitoring its key organs and influencing government positions.

The meeting confirms the growing recognition by civil society on the  
need to influence the AU. It also affirms the central role of the AU  
in influencing policy development in the continent.
Among other things, participants at the meeting will consider ongoing  
policy initiatives targeting the AU. Participants will be able to  
share lessons and learnings on effective advocacy targeting the AU,  
monitoring its key organs and influencing government positions.

The meeting will create a forum for like-minded individuals and  
organizations to explore opportunities for closer collaboration and  
consider joint continental advocacy opportunities over 2007.
For more information, please contact: Carol Equamo email:  
p.a_director at sarpn.org.za

Draft Agenda
Scaling up CSO policy engagement around Pan African Institutions  
Session for Organisations working on capacity building and support  
initiatives
Venue: Kenya School of Monetary Studies , off Thika road - Nairobi
Date: 21st January, 2007.
Roundtable Session Objectives: By the end of the session, we will have
Shared progress on the establishment of the proposed CSO support
facilities and discussed ways of supporting each other
Discussed and agreed joint continental advocacy opportunities over 2007
Agenda - Session Plan (two hours)
Part 1
Expectations exercise
Speaker: How transformation could happen around the AU (to be  
confirmed)?
60 minutes
Part 2
Progress on the Midrand project - SAT (unfolding objectives, 2007  
activities, areas needing support) 20 mins Progress on the Addis CSO  
centre - OSI (unfolding objectives, 2007 activities, areas needing  
support) 20 mins Progress on the e-information facility The AU  
Monitor - Fahamu (unfolding objectives, 2007 activities, areas  
needing support) 20 mins Propositions for Joint continental advocacy  
opportunities over 2007
- NEPAD Secretariat Capacity Building Strategy for Africa 20 mins
- AUC institutional renewal and the development of the next Strategic  
Plan 20 mins
Part 3: Common strands and ways of supporting each other Moderator: TBC
Summary
Proposed start time is 09:00hrs.