Special Focus on African Union (AU)
Introduction
The African Union (AU) is the continental representation of the 52 African states. It aims at creating the ‘United States of Africa’ both through political and economic integration. In existence since 2002, the AU still struggles with a myriad of problems not the least with a grossly inadequate administration both in size and capacity.
Several large cooperating partners are trying to assist the AU structure to build up the lacking capacity but what they cannot create with their support programs is the much needed political will of the member states to take AU resolutions serious and to implement them. For that to be achieved, national policies must become more transparent and participatory; vocal civil society organizations at national and continental level can play a crucial role in linking national interests to African policy agendas.
The office of the Heinrich Boell Foundation in Addis Abeba intends to provide a platform for African NGOs to raise their voices to the AU. In detail, the Addis office of the Foundation intends to
- Organize workshops and conferences with African NGOs and international partners on selected topics
- Provide capacity-building for African NGOs
- Disseminate information about crucial continental developments
