Africa's Civil Society will gather at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 27 to 30 March 2005 for the launching of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union (ECOSOCC). This historic occasion will mark the beginning of a new phase in the Union's activities. Participants will come together to determine the modalities for implementing the functions of ECOSOCC; begin establishing a consultation process for election of members to the ECOSOCC General Assembly; and elect a two-year interim Standing Committee. H.E. President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Chair of the African Union will attend the official opening session and the election of Officers of ECOSOCC on the morning of 29 March 2005.

About ECOSOCC

On the occasion of its inauguration in Maputo, Mozambique in July 2003, the African Union embarked on a course to transform and integrate the Continent. The aims and aspirations of the new Union were a response to the calls for democracy and development from Africa's vibrant civil society institutions. The Continent's leaders determined to build a Union that was people-oriented. Aware of the rich and diverse human and institutional resources at the grassroots level, the new Union, then, would be devoted to building strong partnerships between the governments and all segments of the society. The impulse is not for the African Union to organize civil society. Rather the organizing principle of the ECOSOCC of the African Union is one in which civil society would organize themselves to work with the Organization.