ISS Seminar, Addis Ababa: 16th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly. Theme: Towards Greater Unity and Integration through Shared Values

Date: 2011-01-21

Venue: , Harar Grill, Hilton Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

RSVP:
Mrs. Beakal Bisrat
(+251) 011-372-11-54
Fax (+251) 011-372-59-54
Email: [email protected]

The African Conflict Prevention Programme (ACPP) of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Addis Ababa Office and its Partner the Open Society Eastern African Initiative cordially invites you to a Public Seminar Entitled Towards Greater Unity and Integration through Shared Values in Africa.

The 14th Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) endorsed a recommendation of the Executive Council (EX.CL/Dec.525 [XVI]) that the Ordinary Session of the 16th Assembly in January 2011 be dedicated to the theme Shared Values of the African Union. In its Decision, the Executive Council noted the efforts initiated to put in place the African Governance Architecture (AGA) and recommended further that the 16th Ordinary Session of the Assembly should identify obstacles and measures to be adopted to facilitate continental integration based on shared values. The lack of clear or critical reflection, in the AU decisions, document and AU strategic plan for 2009-2011, on what the values are, whether they are really shared and what their implications are for integration seemingly led to the proclamation of the theme for the Summit in January 2011 to be "Shared Values".

Shared values of the African Union are conceived as those norms, principles and practices that provide the basis for collective actions and solutions in addressing Africa`s political, economic and social challenges. These values, as they pertain to the individual, the society and the state are anchored in the belief that Africans must work collectively for their common destiny. Furthermore, shared or collective values have always been a feature of African integration efforts and have been a matter of dialogue in interactions within the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the African Union. The AU Strategic Plan for 2009-2011 identifies the values as existing at individual, national and regional levels.

The ACPP-Addis strives to promote and improve the quality of conflict prevention strategies and approaches in Africa. ACPP-Addis Ababa complements the work of the member states of the African Union and the activities of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) in Addis Ababa. The programme works in partnership with stakeholders and key actors, in its endeavor to address peace and security challenges through the prevention and resolutions of conflicts. Thus, ACPP is actively engaged in thematic studies related to the aforementioned issues.

The African Conflict Prevention Programme (ACPP-Addis Ababa) of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia jointly with the Open Society Eastern African Initiative based in Nairobi, Kenya and the Centre for Citizens Participation-AU based in Addis Ababa are collaborating in the popularization of the theme of "Shared Value" prior and after the AU Summit.

Therefore, the purpose of this seminar is to offer a forum for policy makers, academia and the diplomatic community on the theme "Shared Values" of the 16th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly. Presenters will be drawn from African Union, civil societies and the research community.