African Newspage elected to 4th AU-ECOSOCC General Assembly 

The African Newspage has been elected as one of the 8 continental members of the Fourth Permanent General Assembly (PGA) of the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC) , alongside different social and professional groups from the member states of the African Union. 

The First Ordinary Session of ECOSOCC’s 4th General Assembly was held December 08 – 09 in Nairobi, Kenya, which was preceded by a composite election of new members of the Assembly. ECOSOCC was established in 2004 as an advisory organ of the AU composed of different social and professional groups, under the provision of Articles 5 and 22 of the Union’s Constitutive Act and the African Charter for Popular Participation. The PGA is the Council’s highest decision and policymaking body.

In his remarks at the opening of the 4th ECOSOCC GA, William Carew, Head of ECOSOCC Secretariat, said the Council had empowered African CSOs to play an active role in shaping the continent’s future, by contributing to the principles, policies and programmes of the AU. He described ECOSOCC as an institutional bridge between the AU and African citizenry, represented by non-state entities mandated to provide technical advisory inputs into AU policies and programmes, in accordance with the Union’s “people-centered and people-driven character”.

“The establishment of a civil society organ within the African Union ecosystem comes on the backdrop of the invaluable role that CSOs continue to play at all levels to compliment government efforts in driving sustainable peace and development in accordance with Agenda 2063. Be it conflict resolution, or matters of governance and democratic consolidation, and even in public health emergencies, the African civil society has established their significance as indispensable partners in the developmental processes of the continent,” noted Carew.

Article 3 of the ECOSOCC Statue says its membership shall be composed of, but not limited to, social groups representing women, children, and the youth; professional groups such as associations of artists, engineers, media, teachers, academia, business organizations; non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as community-based organizations (CBOs) and cultural organizations; as well as social and professional groups in the African Diaspora.

According to Article 7, ECOSOCC’s objectives are to promote continuous dialogue between all segments of the African people on issues concerning Africa and its future; foster and consolidate partnership between the Union and CSOs through effective public enlightment, mobilization and feedback on the activities of the Union; as well as contribute to the promotion of popularization, popular participation, sharing of best practices and expertise, and to the realization of the vision and objectives of the Union, among others.

We, African Newspage, are a pan-African digital newsmagazine focused on reporting Africa’s sustainable development, guided by the African Union Agenda 2063 – the continent’s strategic framework for inclusive and sustainable development.  Over the last three years, Newspage has emerged as a leading news platform reporting about the AU’s development agenda. Our reporting provides deep insights into Africa’s development strides through the various programmes and projects of Agenda 2063.