African Union ECOSOCC

The inaugural #AfricanUnion #AfricaSkillsWeek2024 held from Oct 14-18, was a critical platform for fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and collective action to address the skills gap in Africa. The event highlighted the importance of skills development in driving economic growth and social inclusion. Participants explored effective policy frameworks including the Continental Strategy for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) 2025-2034, investment strategies, and partnerships to support skills development initiatives. The call to action from the inaugural Africa Skills Week 2024 emphasized the following key points: 1.Implement inclusive skills development policies: Governments should prioritize skills development, invest in education, and reform TVET systems to meet modern market demands. 2.Strengthen partnerships: Foster collaborations between governments, educational institutions, and industries to align skills with labor market needs. 3.Promote entrepreneurship: Support entrepreneurship through training, mentorship, and financial access. 4.Leverage technology: Integrate digitalization and AI in TVET and educational systems to enhance learning. 5.Continue dialogue: Establish Africa’s Decade of Skills and Jobs and institutionalize platforms for ongoing collaboration and experience sharing. 6.Increase investment: Explore innovative financing models to attract investment in skills development. 7.Youth-focused initiatives: Partner with youth to drive skills development and employment opportunities. 8.Monitor and evaluate progress: Research, monitor, and evaluate the effectiveness of TVET initiatives for accountability and sustainability. #AUAgenda2063 #AfricanUnion

Today, October 21st, we commemorate #AfricaHumanRightsDay! On this day, we commemorate Africa’s enduring struggle for human dignity, equality, and justice. Africa Human Rights Day is a solemn reminder of the continent’s rich yet complex history—a history marked by the pursuit of freedom, self-determination, and the unwavering fight against oppression. But above all, Africa Human Rights Day is a call to action. It is a reminder that the fight for dignity, equality, and justice is ongoing. It invites us to reaffirm our commitment to human rights, for the well-being of all people across the continent. Learn more here : https://lnkd.in/gzWB4Mwg

Still not over the magic of #ECOSOCC’s 20th anniversary celebrations! 😍✨ Celebrating 20 years of ECOSOCC – where the only thing bigger than our ideas is our love for African unity! 🎉 From policy talk to dance moves, we’re keeping it real and keeping it fun. From powerful conversations to memorable moments, we marked two decades of working together for a better Africa. If you missed it, here’s a glimpse of the energy, unity, and good vibes that made it unforgettable! #ECOSOCC20 #UnityInAction #AfricanUnion

Continued: 6. Addressing the Impact of Technology on Democracy and Health Resilience in Africa Member States •Adopt a rights-based approach to digital governance and bridge the digital divide. •Invest in AI, data governance, and healthcare technology to improve service delivery. #African Union •Ensure state compliance with digital governance frameworks and strengthen collaboration on AI and health resilience. •Provide platforms for knowledge sharing and citizen-led innovations. #ECOSOCC •Advocate for digital literacy, use of civic tech tools, and resource mobilization to strengthen Africa’s digital ecosystem. Civil Society Organizations •Provide public oversight in digital governance and foster accountability in health. •Collaborate on technology-based citizen engagement tools to promote transparency. Strategic Partners •Support AI-driven healthcare innovations and digital governance initiatives in Africa. •Facilitate partnerships for co-creating solutions to community challenges.

ECOSOCC Call for Applications for Elections into its 4th Permanent General Assembly Please visit https://lnkd.in/eaEBzavf for more details.

Continued : 5. Coordinated African Response on Illicit Financial Flows, Corruption, and Natural Resources Management Member States •Prioritize efforts to curb commercial illicit financial flows (IFFs) and strengthen cross-border collaboration. •Promote local processing and value addition in natural resources. #AfricanUnion •Foster a coordinated approach to IFFs through strategy development and monitoring frameworks. •Provide technical and financial support to the African Union Advisory Board on Corruption (AUABC). #ECOSOCC & Civil Society •Mobilize advocacy efforts to raise public awareness on the impact of IFFs. •Promote governance accountability and transparency across Africa. Strategic Partners •Secure sustainable financing for anti-IFFs initiatives and foster independent research. •Promote cooperation among stakeholders involved in fighting IFFs.

Continued : 3. Preventing Unconstitutional Changes of Government (UCGs) Member States •Strengthen constitutional order, judicial independence, and public education on constitutional literacy. •Address structural root causes of conflict like inequality and corruption. #African Union •Strengthen early warning systems for UCGs. •Provide mediation and conflict resolution support. #ECOSOCC •Engage youth, women, and marginalized groups in governance discussions. •Raise awareness on UCGs and the importance of constitutionalism. Civil Society Organizations •Mobilize citizens against UCGs through education, protests, and election monitoring. •Advocate for justice and accountability for UCG perpetrators. 4. Enhancing Civic Engagement and Building Trust for Democratic Governance Member States •Enhance public consultations, and invest in youth leadership programs. •Ensure transparent and credible electoral processes. #African Union •Promote inclusive governance through the AU Peer Review Mechanism and Pan-African youth capacity building. •Strengthen regional cooperation for sharing best practices on civic engagement. #ECOSOCC •Strengthen CSOs’ capacity for advocacy and grant support for civic engagement initiatives. •Advocate for youth representation and publish annual democracy reports. #Civil Society Organizations •Organize community outreach programs and promote accountability through investigative journalism. •Collaborate with religious, business, and international NGOs to strengthen civic engagement.

The day has finally arrived! Today marks the start of the inaugural Pre-Session Forum of States Parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights in Banjul, Gambia . #ACHPR #HumanRights #PreSessionForum

Call to action from our #2024citizensforum continued: 2. Building Trust Between People and Institutions Member States •Reform leadership recruitment and electoral processes to increase integrity. •Promote transparency and accountability with laws like the right to information and whistleblower protections. #AfricanUnion •Support member states in implementing AU Shared Values instruments and democratic processes. •Promote human rights as essential pillars of democracy. #ECOSOCC •Organize regular dialogues and strengthen feedback mechanisms for citizens. •Demand accountability and advocate for democratic reforms. Strategic Partners •Support capacity building for democratic governance and promote human rights. •Provide assistance for electoral reforms, media freedom, and governance. #ECOSOCC20

#ECOSOCC joins the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day of Rural Women 2024 #IDRW2024! This year’s theme is : “Empowering Women Living in Rural Areas through Education & Access to Technology: Bridging the Gap for Inclusive & Sustainable Agri-Food in Africa!” This year’s celebration of the International Day of Rural Women highlights the transformative power of education and technology in empowering rural women across Africa. By providing access to these vital resources, we can close the gap in agricultural innovation, improve food security, and foster sustainable practices for a thriving future. Why It Matters: •Education and technology are crucial tools in equipping rural women with the knowledge and skills to innovate in agriculture, manage resources sustainably, and improve productivity. •Women make up roughly 43% of the agricultural labor force globally but are often excluded from decision-making, education, and access to technology. This exclusion limits their productivity and contribution to food systems . •In Africa, access to technology can increase agricultural yields by up to 20-30% when rural women have equal opportunities to use modern tools . Key Focus Areas: 1.Education for Empowerment: Bridging the gender gap in rural areas begins with education. When women are educated, their agricultural practices become more efficient, and their communities prosper. 2.Access to Technology: Technology helps rural women adapt to climate change, connect to markets, and boost their agricultural output. 3.Sustainability & Inclusion: By empowering rural women, we can build more inclusive and sustainable agri-food systems in Africa, ensuring food security for future generations. Together, by empowering rural women through education and access to technology, we are not only transforming Africa’s agricultural landscape but also contributing to the #AfricanUnion’s #Agenda2063 which aspires to create “an Africa, whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its women and youth, and caring for children.” (Aspiration 6). Empowering rural women helps advance a key pillar of Agenda 2063 by ensuring they can fully participate in building prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable agri-food systems across the continent. Together, let’s champion the power of education and technology to empower rural women and create a more inclusive future! #ECOSOCC20