RWAMREC participates in EACSOF SHARED VALUES MEETING IN ARUSHA

The East African Civil Society Organizations’ Forum (EACSOF) is an autonomous umbrella body of all Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and CSOs in East Africa, with the primary objective of building a critical mass of knowledgeable and empowered civil society in the region, in order to foster their confidence and capacity in articulating grassroots needs and interests to the EAC, and its various organs, institutions and agencies.

From 16 to 17 October 2010, EACSOF in collaboration with the Centre for Citizens Participation in the African Union (CCP - AU) organized a 2 day consultation meeting themed SHARED VALUES IN THE EAC TOWARDS ENHANCED GOVERNANCE AND DEMOCRACY” to elucidate the concept of shared values as it is articulated and prioritized by CSOs in the region for the purpose of contributing to the development of Continental shared values.

RWAMREC as a member of the EACSOF governing council was invited to that consultation meeting and was represented by RWAMREC chair Person Mr Fidele Rutayisire who is also a member of the EACSOF Governing Council.

The meeting was held at Snowcrest Hotel, Arusha-Tanzania and all civil society organizations from the 5 member states of the EAC were represented.

OBJECTIVES OF THE MEETING

The primary objective of this meeting was to elucidate the concept of shared values as it articulated and prioritized by CSOs the region for the purpose of contributing to the development of Continental shared values. Specific objectives of the meeting include the following among others:

1. Provide the basis for collective reflection on the theme of the January 2011 AU Summit, Shared Values, as well as creating synergies between regional realities and continental priorities;

2. Procure recommendations from the EAC CSOs on the region shared values on good governance, human rights and democracy to be included as part of the African Union shared values on governance and democracy that will be channelled to the EAC and AU Secretariat respectively.

3. To create awareness amongst CSOs and citizens of the East African Community, on the African Governance Architecture (AGA) and Human Rights Strategy for Africa (HRSA) and its importance in promoting good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, accountability and transparency in the region and Africa at large;

OUTCOME OF THE MEETING

1. Participants developed a regional shared values for the East African community on governance and democracy and these shared values will be forwarded to the EAC Secretariat for further action by the EAC Council of Ministers and to the AUC for potential inclusion in the overall conceptualization of Shared Values;

2. The meeting provided awareness to CSOs on the progress made on the development of the African Union shared values, the AGA/AGP and the HRSA;

4. Participants gave recommendations on the EAC shared values to be included in the African shared values;
5. Participants recommended the EAC to involve men in all gender agenda.
6. The meeting ended up with a communiqué as well as a press release with recommendations.

The meeting identified EACSOF shared values inherent in the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African within the areas of human rights, democracy, elections governance and gender.

RWAMREC chairperson chaired the second day session of the meeting and played an important role especially in arguing to put gender among key shared values.