The
International Alert Meeting on Creating an Effective Interface Between Civil Society, The
OAU and Governments in Africa
Introductory
Remarks by
K. Y. Amoako, Executive Secretary, ECA
18 November 1996
Addis Ababa
His Excellency, Mr. Aristide
Pereira, Former President of the Republic of Cape Verde,
Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim, Secretary
General of the Organization of African Unity,
Dr. Kumar Rupesinghe,
Secretary-General of International Alert
Distinguished Guest,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honour and pleasure to
welcome you to Africa Hall. I would also like, at the outset, to express my appreciation
to the Organization of African Unity, the International Alert and the other sponsors for
convening this important and topical consultation. Infact, had the title of the
consultation not been so long, I would have liked to have had ECA added to it. On a
serious note, we, at ECA, greatly value such collaboration and partnership and look
forward to strengthening it further in the years to come.
Allow me, also, Mr. Chairman to
acknowledge the presence of and to extend a warm welcome to the so many people from across
the region who are so deeply concerned and so diligently labour for peaceful, democratic
and just societies in the continent. When one sees the leadership on this initiative
alone,one sees the future of Africa: an Africa of peaceful co-existence, an Africa of
unity in diversity, an Africa of justice, equity and freedom and an Africa of strong,
viable and assertive civil societies.
The Africa of today is far from
that. As you are very well aware, our continent is in a very disheartening situation with
many of our countries gripped by economic, social, political and security crisis of
unprecedented scale and magnitude.
As we speak, armed conflicts are
raging in no less than a dozen countries threatening to tear nations and societies apart,
causing colossal loss in human lives and resources. And as these conflicts persist and the
brutal civil wars continue, we see the very fabric of our societies, once woven tightly
with culture, tradition and pride, unravelling and our prospects for survival as
integrated and viable communities diminishing.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Clearly civil societies merit
support and deserve assistance of those concerned with peace, development and good
governance in Africa. The convening of this consultation here at ECA could not have been
more opportune as ECA, in its renewed effort to serve Africa better, has made the
strengthening of civil societies organizations an integral component of its programme
focus. Beginning in 1997, ECA, in collaboration with leading members of African Civil
Society organizations and with the support of the Government of the Federal Republic of
Germany will establish and operate a Regional Resource Centre for strengthening the
capacity of NGOs and civil society organizations and promote their peace making and peace
building efforts. The centre will also continue ECA's on-going work of facilitating
dialogue and cooperation between governments and organizations of civil society and
developing and implementing strategies for effective interface between civil society
organizations and regional institutions. By the way, this Centre will not only be for
African Civil Society organizations; within a few years it will completely be owned and
placed under the direction of African society organizations.
The United Nations System - Wide
initiative, which I have the honour to co-chair contains the UN commitment to OAU in its
peace building effort. It calls for support for civil society organizations in the areas
of peace building, conflict resolutions and national reconciliation. ECA is the lead
United Nations agency in this element of the Special Initiative, and has already initiated
a series of activities to fulfill its commitment.
Looking ahead, I want you to know
that ECA plans to be an even stronger partner with both the OAU and the African Civil
Society Community. |