I. POPULATION
AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Introduction
The activities of all human beings, communities and countries
are interrelated with population change, patterns and levels of
use of natural resources, the state of the environment and the
pace and quality of economic and social development. Persistent
widespread poverty as well as serious social and gender inequities
have significant influences on and are in turn influenced by,
demographic parameters such as population growth, structure and
distribution. The close linkages between population and development
have not yet been adequately appreciated and the progress towards
integrating population variables into socio-economic development
planning has been very slow in Africa. This situation calls for
greater participation of the African Union in population activities.
Goals:
To address the critical challenges and interrelationships between
population and sustained socio-economic growth in the context
of sustainable development; aimed to:
(a)
Improve the quality of life of present and future African generations
by facilitating the demographic transition in the continent
and providing Reproductive health needs and services.
(b) Restore harmony between population on one
hand and natural resource and development processes, on the
other hand.
Objectives:
To fully integrate population concerns into:
Development strategies,
planning, decision-making and resource allocation at all levels
and in all regions.
All aspects of development planning in order to promote social
justice and to eradicate poverty through sustained economic growth
in the context of sustainable development.
To address challenges posed by the negative synergy arising from
rapid population growth, environment degradation and low agricultural
production leading to food insecurity.
To enhance the implementation of population policies and strategies
with a view of ensuring self-reliant development and improvement
in the welfare of the African people.
Strategies
to achieve the objectives:
a)
To increase awareness of the AU Member States about the implications
of the current population characteristics and national socio-economic
development;
b) To assist Member states in devising and implementing
appropriate population policies’
c) To promote, coordinate and monitor population
activities in Member States;
d) To encourage NGOs, civil societies and private
sectors to be more involved in population activities in Africa;
e) To build the institutional capacity of the
Commission in order to fully undertake the responsibility of coordinating
population activities in the region;
f) To promote regional cooperation in social
strategic planning and implementation of population polices and
programmes.
Priority
Programmes
Short-term
Strengthening the
Population and Development structure in the AU Commission in order
to enable it to serve as a coordination and monitoring centre
for population issues and activities in Africa;
Strengthening and facilitating the existing African Population
Commission (APC) a specialized Technical Committees as the highest
and permanent policy institution responsible for raising population
issues high on the AU political agenda through the Assembly of
Heads of State and Government;
Advising the AU Council of Ministers as well as the Assembly of
Heads of state and Government on the population situation in Africa
and implication of current trends and levels on self-reliant development
programmes with a view of increasing high level political awareness
an involvement in population matters;
Coordinating African delegates at international conferences to
ensure a common African position in the field;
Elaborating of a framework for action on Family. This framework
will serve as a contribution of Africa to the celebration of the
Year of the Family 2004.
Organizing of a workshop of the impact of National Family Planning
Programme on social sectors. It will enable sensitization policy
makers about the importance of RH/FP on different sectors.
Promoting population policies in different Regional Economic Communities
(RECs) in order to integrate population activities in their development
planning.
Convening of the 5th General Assembly of the African Population
Commission to consider priorities on population issues in the
continent.
Undertaking population studies on population issues; such as demographic
transition, population and food security, population and environment
etc.
Participation in the, follow-up and evaluation of the International
Conference on Population and Development (ICPD+10)
Organize a workshop on the new orientation or vision of the AU
on population issues taking into account the NEPAD initiative
and CSSDCS process.
Medium and
long-term Activities
Strengthening population
policies in AU Member Sates and in RECs and coordinating population
activities in the continent.
Promoting and coordinating the implementation of the declarations
and resolutions of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government
including the Dakar/NGOR Declaration on Population, Family and
Sustainable Development, the Abuja Treaty Establishing the African
Economic Community, the World Population Plan of Action adopted
by the world Population Conference in 1994 and the New Partnership
for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
Coordinate the formulation of strategies/policies on emerging
population and other development issues.
Follow-up, Monitoring and coordinating evaluation.
II. PROGRAMME ON MIGRATION
Introduction
Of the 150 million
migration in the world, more than 50 million as estimated to be
Africans. Moreover, about 50 per cent of the world’s internally
displaced people and 28 per cent of the world’s refugees
are in Africa. Moreover, due to various reasons, Africa’s
human resources are migrating to the developed world, leaving
the continents institutions stranded. Therefore, population distribution
in African countries constitute a big challenge in particular
with regard to urbanization and Rural-Urban Migration. The process
of urbanization is an intrinsic dimension of socio-economic development.
Today at the start of the third millennium the generalization
of migration everywhere on the globe and its intensification contribute
to the globalization of exchanges, the International migration
is linked to development process. Poverty and environmental degradation
combined with the absence of peace and security are all factors
facilitating the internal and international migration.
Goals:
To address the causes of internal and international movement of
persons and provide the necessary protection and assistance to
the most vulnerable people
Cooperation and dialogue between countries of origin and countries
of destination in order to maximize the benefits of migrants for
the development of both sending and receiving countries.
Reintegration process of returning migrants (mainly qualified)
in countries of origin.
Objectives:
- To enhance the
management of urban agglomerations through more participatory
and resource-conscious planning and management.
- To encourage establishing
policies and mechanisms that contribute to the excessive concentration
of population in large cities and improve the security and quality
of life of both rural and urban residents.
- To encourage International
Migration policies that can make contribution to the socio-economic
development of the country of origin.
- To assist AU Member
States to work towards free movement of people and to strengthening
intra-regional and inter-regional co-operation in matters concerning
migration on the basis of the established processes of migration
dialogue at regional and sub-regional levels and to create enabling
conditions for the participation of migrants, in particular,
African Diaspora in the development of their home countries;
- To encourage AU
Member States to work towards the development of a strategic
framework for Migration Policy in Africa that could contribute
to addressing the challenges posed by migration, but also make
effective use of the opportunity presented by the phenomenon;
thereby ensuring the integration of migration and related issues
into their national and regional agenda for security, stability,
development and cooperation.
- To establish modalities
that will enable monitoring and support of the activities relating
to migration in the Continent and submit regular reports thereon
to the Council of Ministers and Heads of State and Government
Summit.
Priority
Programmes
Short-term
(i)
Elaborating a policy framework on Migration in Africa;
(ii) Organizing seminars on migration at regional
and continental levels;
(iii) Undertaking studies on free movement of
persons in different regions.
(iv) Encouraging and sensitizing Member States
in implementing project on Migration management prepared by AU
partners such as the programme of Migration for the Development
of Africa (MIDA)
Medium and
long-term Activities
(i)
Encouraging and assisting Member States in managing adequately
and efficiently the Migration aspect.
(ii) Establishing close cooperation with other
institutions (such as IOM) to develop programmes and projects
for the African diaspora.
(iii) Establishing a dialogue with countries
of destination to assist countries of origin in their development
process and to protect the rights of migrants.
(iv) Promoting intergovernmental cooperation
through inter alia, bilateral and multi-lateral negotiations as
appropriate
III. HEALTH AND NUTRITION
(i) HEALTH
Introduction
The WHO has defined
health as “ a state of complete physical, mental and social
well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity”.
This means that any problem, be it physical, social, economic,
political or spiritual implies ill-health. In this context, most
African populations are unhealthy. This definition is supported
by the 1987 AU Declaration on Health as a Foundation for Development;
1978 Alma Ata Declaration on Health for All by Year 2000 which
Africa did not realize; the 2000 Millennium Development Goals
which called for “ a dramatic reduction in poverty and marked
improvements in the health of the poor”; and the 2001 WHO
Report on Macroeconomics and Health: Investing in Health for Economic
Development. While Health has improved in other regions of the
world, in Africa, the health status of populations has actually
declined. Africa, therefore, is obliged to invest in the health
of its peoples so as to promote the socioeconomic development
of the continent.
Mission Statement
and major goal
The main objective
of the Health and Nutrition Division is to coordinate and intensify
efforts in and among Member States with a view to promoting the
health and well-being of all communities. In this regard, it aims
to advocate to and sensitize Member States, in collaboration with
relevant international partners and transnational networking in
order to establish/strengthen capacity building and investment
in health for accelerated socioeconomic development of Africa.
Objectives
(a)
To develop and harmonize health policies aimed at disease prevention,
control and rehabilitation by ensuring access by all to primary
health care in order to improve health.
(b) To advocate to and sensitize policymakers
for optimizing the use of available national resources in order
to facilitate sustainable cost-effective health care for all.
(c) To collaborate with Member States and relevant
international partners in designing operational strategies for
resource mobilization for execution of national health projects.
(d) To advocate to and sensitize Member States
to integrate health objectives of NEPAD (New Partnership For Africa’s
Development) and the CCSDCA in their health policies in order
to accelerate the achievement of AU’s objectives.
Programme
Thrust:
This is influenced
by the following Existing Programmes which provide the required
Legislative Authority
To follow-up, monitor
and report on the implementation of the following:
The 1978 Alma Ata
Declaration on – Health for all (1978) All by 2000
Declaration on Health as a Foundation for Development (1987)
Abuja Declaration and Plan of Action on Roll-Back-Malaria (2000)
Abuja Declaration and Framework Plan of Action for the fight against
HIV/AIDS, TB and other Related Infections Diseases.
Africa 2000 (an International cooperative effort to expand water
supply and Sanitation in Africa.
On-going WHO Negotiation for a Global Convention on “Tobacco
or Health”.
Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) (2002)
Declaration on the African Plan of Action concerning the situation
of women in African in the context of Family Health (1995).
African Regional Nutrition Strategy (1993-2003)
The Decision to Declare 2001 to 2010 as the OAU Decade for African
Traditional Medicine.
Priority Areas
Advocacy and sensitization
of leadership at national, regional and continental levels to
mobilize society as a whole to fight HIV/AIDS, TB and Other Related
Infectious Diseases.
Resource mobilization to fight the diseases.
Protecting Human Rights of People infected and affected by HIV/AIDS
and other afflictions.
Integrate HIV/AIDS, TB and ORID activities into poverty alleviation
programmes.
Strengthen Health system infrastructure and human resources
Laying emphasis on prevention interventions
Improvement of information, Education and communication about
HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria and other communicable diseases.
Ensure access to treatment, care and support.
Ensure access to affordable drugs, vaccines and technology.
Promote and support Research and Development on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis
and other diseases including vaccines.
Establish fauna for partnership to ensure synergy and national
use of available resources for the fight against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis
and Other Related Infectious Diseases.
Strengthen disease surveillance systems and establish a strategy
for emergency preparedness and response for epidemics.
Challenges
- How to promote
health with in the context of low literacy rates and increasing
rates of poverty and civil conflicts.
- How to provide
care and support to displaced persons and refugees.
- How to access
and utilize affordable drugs when the population is constantly
hungry and periodically faces famine.
- How to provide
adequate incentives to medical personnel in order to avoid brain-drain.
- How to adequately
support research in vaccines or drugs within the context of
poor economic performance.
- How to educate
and facilitate communities to be involved in health promotion
and disease control.
(ii) NUTRITION
Nutrition is the action or process of supplying or of receiving
nourishment (food). In this regard, nutrition depends on sustainable
availability of varieties of food which supply different essential
nutrients for proper functioning of body physiology. Thus, proper
nutrition means that all the essential nutrients: carbohydrates,
fats, protein, vitamins, minerals and clean water are supplied
and utilized in adequate balance in order to maintain optimal
development, health and well-being.
Mission
and Main Goal
To advocate to and
sensitize Member States in establishing multi-sectoral strategies
which can enable all people to have access to sustainable food
and nutrition as a basic input in accelerated socio-economic development.
Communities also have to be facilitated to use the food properly.
Objectives
- To popularise
among Member states the basic role of food and nutrition security
in development.
- To collaborate
with the Health Unit in designing appropriate and viable strategies
for promotion of optimal health.
- To collaborate
with Member States and relevant international partners in mobilizing
resources for the implementation of National Nutrition Plans
of Action.
- To collaborate
with Rural and Agriculture Directorate in designing policies
that focus on essential varieties of food crops rather than
cash crops in Member States.
- To design strategies
for child nutrition and nutrition education for pregnant women
and mothers.
- To advocate to
and sensitize Member States on the essential role of nutrition
as a preventive and curative intervention in all illness especially
persons living with HIV/AIDS, and also those suffering from
Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Programme
Thrust
African Regional
Nutrition Strategy (ARNS) 1993–2003 (AGH/Res.224 (XXIX).
Prevent and Control Protein Energy Malnutrition.
World Declaration and Plan of Action for Nutrition (1992).
Resolution on Micronutrient Deficiencies in Africa CM/Res.1640
(LXIII) 1996.
Various recommendations of WHO, UNICEF and FAO.
Control of these nutritional deficiencies especially in children
and young women: Iron, Iodine, Vitamin A, Vitamins B, Vitamin
D……..
Programme
Focus
Follow-up on the
implementation of the African Regional Nutrition Strategy ARNS
(1992- 2003).
Collaborate with
WHO, UNICEF, UNPFA and FAO in organizing an expert and ministerial
meeting to review the ARNS and chart the Way Forward.
To collaborate with International partners in mobilizing resources
to support Member States in implementing their National Nutrition
Plans.
Monitor ad Report to AU Organs on the status of nutrition on the
Continent.
Challenges
How to ensure community
and national food and nutrition security in conditions of increasing
civil conflicts, drought, hunger famine and diseases-burden.
How to enable citizens to have access to sustainable food and
nutrition security in the context of increasing rates of poverty.
Educating communities to rationally use what is available; whereas
the majority are illiterate.
IV. THE LABOUR AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION
The Labour and Social
Affairs Commission is a statutory meeting and a fully tripartite
organ which deals with all labour, employment and social affairs
matters concerning Governments, employees and workers Unions.
In conformity with its Rules of Procedure, the Commission meets
in April every year to discuss labour, employment and social issues
affecting the government, the employers and the workers interests.
Another important function of the Labour and Social Affairs Commission
is to enable Member States establish a common stand at the annual
International Labour Conference and also at any forums dealing
with labour/employment and social problems. The Commission which
marked its 25th anniversary in 2002 is a successful AU organ which
coordinates activities in the area of Labour, Employment and Social
Affairs on the Continent.
(i) LABOUR
AND EMPLOYMENT:
Introduction:
At the beginning of the third millennium, Africa is still confronted
with various problems which include poverty, unemployment, under-employment,
deteriorating health facilities, falling standards of education
and rising infant mortality, among others. There is the need to
give priority to the socio-economic development of Africa in order
to achieve growth and development, through regional integration,
economic cooperation and the involvement of all social groups,
within the framework of the African Economic Community. The Employment
crisis, particularly in Africa is a ssevere one. Member States
are trying to find means to facilitate the entry into the labour
market particularly of the youth but it is a daunting task.
Mission
Goal:
The main goal of the Labour and Employment Division is to coordinate
and intensify efforts in and among Member States with a view to
implementing policies and conventions on Labour and Employment.
The general objectives of the Division concern the promotion of
Decent Work, Employment Strategy, reducing Unemployment, Child
Labour, improving Conditions of Work, follow-up on activities
related to Tripartism, Social Dialogue, ILO Declaration on Fundamental
Principles and Rights at Work, HIV/AIDS at the Work place.
Objectives:
The main objectives of the Labour/Employment Division are
Development and harmonisation of Community labour policies and
labour conventions
Harmonisation of labour and social security legislation
Development and harmonisation of policies pertaining to working
conditions and employment, occupation safety and hazards, the
role of employers and workers organisations.
Developing strategies for the establishment of labour market and
schemes for labour exchange.
Programme
Thrust:
To follow-up and monitor the implementation
of the recommendations of the following:
The recommendations of the annual sessions of the Labour and Social
Affairs Commission.
Declaration on Employment Promotion and Poverty Alleviation in
Africa.
Plan of Action on Employment Promotion and Poverty Alleviation
in Africa.
ILO Program's on JOBS FOR AFRICA
ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
Child labour Conventions
ILO code of practice on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work
Follow-up of the implementation of the framework for Action of
the 2002 Alexandria Youth Employment Summit.
Priority
Programmes:
The Priority
areas are to:
Initiate studies
on the gradual harmonisation of labour and social security legislation
in Member States in order to alleviate poverty and accelerate
socio-economic development in the continent.
Monitor and evaluate the implementation of decisions and resolutions
adopted by the AU legislative organs (Labour and social affairs
commission) and to report to these organs regularly to ensure
that these decisions are adequately implemented.
Organise, carry out and evaluate seminars/Workshops, Conference,
Meetings in order to strengthen institutional and human resources
capacity in the Division as well as in Member states.
To follow-up the implementation of the ILO's Conventions on Labour
and Employment, Follow-up on the Co-operation AU (labour and Social
Affairs Commission) and the Arab Lour Organisation (ALO).
Follow-up with the AU Specialized Agencies on Labour and Employment
matters: OUSA, ICFTU, PEC,…
Challenges:
How to fight persistent
and pervasive poverty, high rates of unemployment and under –employment
in many of our countries.
How to undertake a critical review of the employment and poverty
situation in Africa with a view to finding ways and means the
leaders of our Continent, can take the lead in the fight against
poverty and in ensuring that our economies create adequate productive
employment opportunities to address the backlog of unemployment
and under-employment and to absorb additions to the labour force.
Many of men, women and youth continue to be unemployed, under-employed
or generally living in poverty and that the proportion that is
living and working in such conditions is increasing;
Elimination of the scourge of child labour, the extent and persistence
of socio-economic insecurity, the exposure of many of our workers
to occupational health hazards;
Migrant labourers
(ii) SOCIAL WELFARE:
I. CHILD
PROTECTION, SURVIVAL AND DEVELOPMENT
The child occupies a unique and privileged position in the African
society and for him to fully develop his personality, it is essential
for him to grow up in a family environment and an atmosphere of
happiness, love and understanding. Moreover, due to the physical
and mental development of the child, he requires particular care
with regard to health, physical, mental, moral and social development
and requires legal protection in conditions of freedom, dignity
and security. However, the state of most African children remains
critical due to the socio-economic situation prevailing in the
continent as well as cultural and traditional circumstances.
Objectives:
To enhance collective efforts (Governments, International Organisations,
NGOs. CSOs and other Organisations and stakeholders) for developing
programmes to ensure the protection, survival and development
of children in Africa;
To ensure that all the rights contained in the African Charter
on the Rights and Welfare of the child are respected and will
form the basis for action in favour of African children;
To monitor and coordinate the implementation of the goals set
in the Declaration and Plan of Action of the World Summit on Children
and the African Plan of Action on Children.
Challenges
facing the Continent
Ten years after the World Summit on Children, not much has been
achieved in implementing the goals set out in the Declaration
and Plan of Action adopted by the Summit. It has been assessed
that it has been a lost decade for children, especially in Africa.
African children are still the most vulnerable group with regard
to the on-going conflict and civil wars ravaging our continent
and the spread of HIV/AIDS pandemic. They are sexually abused,
they are trafficked, they are neglected and bear all kind of violence.
Due to poverty they are forced to go to work even taking up hazardous
jobs which may imperil their lives. Most of them have no chance
to go to school, they are deprived of the basic health care and
some are obliged to live on the street.
The future of Africa
lies with the well being of its children and youth and the socio-economic
transformation of the continent rests with investing in the young
people. It is time therefore for our Heads of State and Government
to transform the state obligation, solemnly entered into through
the collective act of acceding to the various instruments on children,
to the practical realisation of the Rights of the Child in Africa.
In so doing, they would reaffirm their commitment and ensure that
the goals to give the African child a better life and a good start
in life are achieved. Today's investment in children is tomorrow's
peace, stability, security, democracy and sustainable development.
Action is required now as Africa's children cannot wait.
Priority
programmes include:
Promotion of the
Rights of the Child in Africa
Action required include:
i.
sensitize Member States and other stakeholders on the African
Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child;
ii. make children a priority in all governments'
policies;
iii. elaborating strategies to implement children's
rights;
iv. Government to work in partnership with NGOs,
CSOs and the community in advocating children's rights;
v. ensure that Governments establish National
Programmes of Action on children.
Education
for All Children
Education is a prerequisite for the child's development. Actions
needed to realise this right:
i. develop
realistic approaches for educating children both boys and girls;
ii. making education compulsory for all children
and free of charge; ST
iii. consider education as a profitable investment
and not an unprofitable social expense;
iv. combat poverty with a view to improving school
performance;
v. strengthen vocational training programmes,
introduce life skills and create other training opportunities
for adolescents to enable them be self-sustained;
vi. ensure the integration of peace education,
democracy, human
education and environmental protection in education curricula
Children
in need of special protection
- Children need
protection from violence, neglect, abuse and sexual exploitation.
To ensure that the following actions are needed:
- address the problems
of street children with a view to devising strategies to rehabilitate
them and improve their living conditions;
- address the problems
of child labour and child trafficking and formulate preventive
strategies accordingly;
- stop the use of
children in armed conflict, demobilize those who are combatants,
ensure their rehabilitation and integration in society;
- eliminate all
harmful traditional practices especially against girls and women;
- Enhancing the
life chances of children
- Every child in
Africa needs to have a good start in life and grow and develop
in a child friendly environment of love, peace, security and
dignity.
- To achieve this
the following activities need to be undertaken:
- ensure basic health
care and services for children;
- expand the immunization
programmes for children in line with
the set goals;
- increase national
budgetary allocation to the health sector
especially the primary health care;
- integrate programmes
for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, hepatitis and other infectious diseases
in primary health care services in particular the prevention
of mother to child HIV/AIDS transmission;
- reduce child mortality
rates and the eradication of poliomyelitis;
- provide assistance
and protection of family units and the extended family system;
(iv) DISABILITY
AND REHABILITATION
There is a large
and growing number of persons with disabilities in Africa today
due to the different socio-economic circumstances and the different
provisions that each society makes for the well-being of its members.
Among the factors that are responsible for the rising number of
people with disabilities are: consequences of wars and conflicts,
poverty, diseases, ageing, malnutrition, natural calamities and
disasters and accidents. There is need therefore to provide the
necessary care to that vulnerable group of people, rehabilitate,
empower and integrate them into the society.
Objectives:
- to raise awareness
on issues of disability;
- to develop measures
that enhance the quality of life and ensure full participation
of people with disabilities in economic and social development;
- to empower people
with disabilities and mainstream them in society with a view
to securing jobs for them and allowing them play a meaning role
in political, social and economic development;
- strengthen the means by which
citizens with disabilities may realise their full potential
and cooperate with developed and developing countries to enhance
their self-help capacity;
- to mainstream people with disabilities
in on-going programmes and projects with a view to integrating
disability concerns into their work programmes;
- to ensure the implementation of
the goals contained in the World Programme of Action concerning
Disabled Persons in Africa; the UN Standard Rules on Equalization
of Opportunities for people with disabilities and the Plan of
Action on the African Decade of People with Disabilities.
Challenges facing the continent
Concerned about the
situation of the disabled people on the continent, the Heads of
State and Government proclaimed 1999-2009 as the African Decade
of Disabled Persons and adopted a Declaration and Plan of Action
for the implementation of the Decade's objectives. The Plan o
Action took into consideration the UN Standard Rules of Equalisation
of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities which emphasizes
the need to respect the rights of people with disabilities, empower
them and ensure their participation in the socio-economic development
of their countries. There is a dire need to alleviate the plight
of people with disabilities by respecting them and their rights,
promote the equalization of opportunities for them; empower them
and design policies to mainstream them in the socio-economic development
of the continent. They should also be made equal partners with
the other group of the society by being consulted and involved
in all decisions affecting them.
Priority
programmes
Priority programmes
would include:
- to develop a
unified approach for promoting the development of prevention
and rehabilitation services;
- to provide an appropriate framework
for the establishment and launching of training and research
programmes in the field of rehabilitation and other projects
to be carried out at regional level;
- to cooperate with international,
governmental and non governmental organisation and Disabled
Peoples Organisations (DPOs) in all areas of rehabilitation
development and raise funds from donors for the implementation
of projects;
- to follow-up and monitor the implementation
of the Plan of Action for the African Decade of Persons with
Disabilities;
- to follow-up on the implementation
of various decisions adopted at the level of Ministers and Heads
of State and Government;
- to recognize the talents and experiences
of people with disabilities and identify ways to prevent their
isolation and allow them to participate in policy making and
make positive contribution in the society;
(v) FAMILY-RELATED ISSUES
The family is universally
recognized in Africa as the fundamental unit of society. Over
the years, the structures, roles, and functions of the family
as a social unit have withstood the test of time. However, the
prevailing socio-economic changes and particularly the recurring
social and economic crisis in Africa, and the sharp deterioration
in the quality of life, have resulted in the erosion of traditional
patterns of existence, and in some cases, necessitated shifts
in emphasis in structures, roles and functions of the family.
Objectives:
- to sensitize and
advocate on the important role and functions of the family within
the African context;
- Recognise the role of the family
in social, economic and political development;
- Elaborate policies to support
and empower the family in carrying out its duty;
- to assist the family in need.
Challenges
facing the continent:
The African family
network is the prime mechanism for coping with social and economic
adversity in the continent. However, the economic and social changes
have impacted adversely on African families, in particular: the
extended family system, labour migration, urbanisation, conflicts,
displacement of population, the effect of HIV/AIDS, caring for
orphans, socialisation and education of children. Governments
should therefore eliminate all forms of coercion and discrimination
in policies and programmes with regard to the rights of the family
and promote and improve the equality of opportunity and life for
family members. Legislation and other measures are needed to assist
vulnerable families, in particular, in the areas of health, education,
employment, housing and social security.
Priority
programmes include:
- to raise awareness
on the role of the family in the African society;
- to promote good cultural practices
and eradicate negative ones;
- to promote the equality of opportunity
for family members, especially
the rights of the children and women in the family;
- to develop and promote programmes
on the role of the family
in Reproductive Health;
- to follow-up and monitor the implementation
of various decisions
adopted at the level of Ministers and Heads of States on family
issues;
- to establish mechanisms at national
and regional levels to
follow-up on the observance of the International Year of the
Family
(1994) and preparations for the 10th anniversary of the IYF
(2004);
- to elaborate a Plan of Action
on Family in Africa and monitor
its implementation;
- to organize cooperate with the
UN Youth Family Unit, International
Organisations, NGOs
and others dealing with family issues with a view to elaborating
joint programmes and activities.
(vi) AGEING
In recent years,
there has been a considerable increase in the number of older
people around the world and in Africa in particular. This vulnerable
group of the society is unfortunately excluded, live in poverty,
is marginalized and abused.
Objectives:
- To adopt, coordinate
and harmonize policies with a view to ensuring a decent life
for the aged;
- To elaborate national policies
on older persons;
- Implement the African Policy Framework
and Plan of Action on Ageing
- To improve the quality of life
of older people
The challenges
of the Continent
With a view to improving
the living conditions of elderly persons and to give them their
right place in society, a Policy Framework and Plan of Action
on Ageing was adopted by the Heads of State and Government (2002).
With the emergence of the HIV/AIDS which affects only the young
economically productive sectors, the aged have progressively been
obliged to, again, take up the responsibilities of caring for
the family. Yet they lack the means, are liable to get abused
socially, physically, economically and psychologically and their
rights are violated. Governments should therefore recognise the
fundamental rights of older persons and commit themselves to abolishing
all forms of discrimination against them. Appropriate legislation
should also be enacted to ensure that older persons get their
basic human needs such as access to social security, free medical
care and other support where needed.
Priority
programmes include:
(a) To formulate policies aimed at improving
the situation of older persons, give them support and protect
them from abuse and violence;
(b) To follow-up on the implementation of the
Policy Framework and Plan of Action on Ageing;
(c) to develop and strengthen strategies that
encourages older peoples' participation in development.
(vii) YOUTH AND DEVELOPMENT (To move to Hunan Resources/Science
and Technology Directorate)
Introduction:
The Youth is a very
vulnerable group in all social scourges afflicting the Continent.
Member States need to be sensitized to encouraged to the develop
programs and policies in order to ensure that Youth have access
to the education and training programs, skills- development opportunities,
and resources and credit availed them so that they can build productive
and sustainable live hoods. Being the leaders of tomorrow, their
well-being is important to Africa’s future.
Mission Goal:
The main goal of
the Youth and Development Unit is to coordinate and intensify
efforts in order to bring Member States to include the youth at
all levels of development and decision-making. Thus the need to
train and guide them to take up the challenges of the new century.
Objectives:
- Initiating /or
coordinating efforts for the:
- Establishment of National Youth
Councils or permanent institution for youth; for coordination
of youth issues.
- Participation and involvement
of Youth in the formulation and implementation of Youth Programmes;
including the African Youth charter.
- To bring African youth together
to speak with a common voice at international flora.
- Formulation of national youth
policies, implementation and follow-up of such policies at appropriate
levels, and provision of necessary resources to these ends;
- Involvement of youth in consideration
of the situation of youth and their needs, taking on board their
own perceptions and priorities.
Programme Thrust:
- To monitor and
follow-up the implementation of the various decisions, declarations
and recommendations of the following:
- The World Programme of Action
on Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond;
- The Braga Plan of Action;
- The Lisbon Declaration;
- The Fourth Session of the World
Youth Forum
The 2002 Employment
Summit
Priority Programmes:
- Follow up with Member
States on the formulation national youth policies and involvement
of youth in the socio-economic development of their countries.
- Strengthening co-operation the Pan-African
Youth Movement (PYM) and others Youth organizations;
- Strengthen cooperation with the
UN Youth Unit, ECA, UNDP, NGOs and other organizations dealing
with youth matters in the implementation of various recommendations
and decisions especially on follow-up on the above commitments;
- Sensitising Member States on the
need to implement the various decisions and recommendations as
well as establish youth councils for following up youth problems;
- Developing the African youth charter
Challenges:
- Educating and training
youth knowing job opportunities and limited.
- How to involve youth in the socio-economic
development of their countries in a background of poverty and
unemployment.
- How to promote youth entrepreneurship
- How to fight Poverty in order to
create Job opportunities for Young people.
- Other challenges facing the youth:
HIV/AIDS, trafficking and abuse of drugs, trafficking in human’s;
Special challenges
facing the female youth
VI . SPORTS
Sports and other physical
activities are essential for social interaction and healthy life
styles. African athletes are faring well in a few specific areas
in international sports but in schools and physical education have
declined. The future of African Sports depends on concrete actions
by the three key role players which are the State (political and
educational component), the Sport Movement (educational and training
component) and financial circles (economic component).
Objectives:
- To Develop strategies
to ensure that school curricula have physical education and sports
high on the agenda so that children and youth develop culture
of healthy life styles;
- To put in place a framework to ensure
better participation of high-profile athletes in various continental
sports events, notably the All-Africa Games;
- To develop an appropriate policy
to protect our rich sports heritage composed of top-flight African
athletes of international repute as models for Youth Development;
- To collaborate with Members
States in formulating policies in the areas of Sport, AIDS
and Drugs.
VII DRUG CONTROL
AND CRIME PREVENTION UNIT
Introduction
The illicit trafficking
and abuse of narcotic and psychotropic drugs, and other substances
particularly the socially acceptable ones like alcohol and tobacco
could be very devastating to the society, the family and the individuals.
Africa’s role in the global supply remains mainly as the major
source of Cannabis Sativa.
Mission Goal
Guided by recent adoption
of the AU Plan of Action on Drug Control in Africa by the Executive
Council of Ministers as well as its endorsement by the Assembly
of Heads of State and Government, and cognizant of resource constraints,
we shall seek to promote, in letter and spirit, through coordination
and in partnership with AU Member States, the RECS, relevant UN
agencies, IGOs, NGOs, CSOs the goals of the AU in Drug Control and
Crime Prevention, aided by scientific knowledge and Information
and Communication Technology (ICT).
Using a Sustainable
Human Development Paradigm
We shall strive, in
particular, to promote prevention strategies in illicit drug trafficking,
the abuse of these drugs and other substances, as well as address
the fall out effects and linkages. These include terrorism, money
laundering, corruption, and provide empowerment to the vulnerable
groups such as the youth, street children, child soldiers and women,
through preventive drug abuse education curricular as well as access
to treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependent persons in Africa;
as a way to improve quality of life, encourage the illicit growers
through the provision of alternative development programmes and
activities, after the destruction of the illicit farms of Cannabis
Sativa. We shall also strive to study and monitor emerging drug
control-related challenges such as creating a balanced, multi-disciplinary,
integrated and timely approach between drug demand reduction, supply
reduction and crime prevention issues, HIV/AIDS and other emerging
drug control related matters.
Objectives
The broad objectives
of the Drug Control and Crime Prevention Unit are
- Initiating actions
and formulating Drug Control and Crime Prevention policies and
strategies that will facilitate the work of officers at the level
of AU Member States, and to take on board new trends in drug trafficking,
drug abuse and money laundering;
- Implementation of
the AU Plan of Action on Drug Control by various Stakeholders,
monitoring, assessing and evaluation their level of implementation;
- Developing human
resources and mobilizing resources at national, regional, continental
and international levels for carrying out the actions identified;
- Ensuring coherence
of action in drug control, crime prevention and its linkages to
conflicts, terrorism, money laundering, spread of HIV/AIDS pandemic
and trafficking in human beings at national, regional and continental
levels in a balanced, coordinated, integrated and timely manner;
- Adopting African
and International Drug Conventions and legal instruments to deal
with the problem; and
- Fostering cooperation
among countries sharing the same problems, preferably in the same
region.
- Challenges Facing
the Continent
Africa
has seen particularly dramatic increase of illicit drug trafficking
and abuse. Growing cannabis cultivation in several countries serves
the supply of local and international consumer markets. Cocaine
and heroin, trafficked through African key ports and trade centers,
reach a growing African Abuser population. Abuse of psychotropic
substances is facilitated by the absence of adequate licit control
systems in most African countries. Growing drug abuse and drug injection
(IDU) add to the severe HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa. This drug control
scenario, coupled with other organised including money laundering,
illicit trafficking in women for prostitution, drugs in conflict
situation, child soldiers, illegal trade in firearms, all pose a
threat on the renewed development effort in Africa. Many studies
have revealed the direct linkages between increasing cannabis cultivation
and global trade developments which are causing severe price declines
for traditional African agricultural commodities. Trends of increasing
cannabis cultivation in countries or areas affected by civil war
or armed conflicts in Africa have also been observed.
Increasing
global trade and better infrastructures, coupled with porous borders
and weak law enforcement services, which are vulnerable to infiltration
and corruption, have created an environment conducive to drug trafficking
and organised crime. Illicit drug trafficking goes hand in hand
with the trade in stolen vehicles, precious stones, and endangered
species. Prevailing conflict and poverty fuel the linkages between
drug trafficking, illicit trade in firearms and trafficking in human
beings. West, East and Southern African groups continue to dominate
drug trafficking and other crimes in Africa. These African organised
groups foster their cooperation with both foreign networks from
the Western hemisphere and Asia, as well as other African groups,
which are also increasing their involvement in the international
trafficking chains.
Priority Programmes
Initiating and formulating Drug Control and Crime Prevention Programmes
and Activities as well as advocacy;
- Update the African
Common Position on drug control for the Ministerial segment of
the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in April 2003;
- Monitoring and Coordination
of implementation of AU Plan of Action on Drug Control in Africa;
- Mainstreaming drug
control and crime prevention into the programmes at the Commission;
- Development of a
Model on Preventive Drug Abuse Education Curricular for Africa;
- Coordination, Liaising
and Networking with NGOs and CSOs;
- Promotion of Drug
Demand Reduction programmes (Prevention, which includes Primary,
Secondary and Tertiary strategies);
- Production of booklets
on the facts and figures Drugs of Abuse, Doping in Sports, Youth
and Drugs for sensitization of the Commission;
- Work with the WHO
and Member States in programmes to address the problem of Treatment
and Rehabilitation of Drug Dependent Persons, and with UNAIDS
on the Prevention of HIV/AIDS spread through infected needle drug
exchange;
- Organisation of
training workshop for Drug Law Enforcement Officers on the provision
of Alternative Development programmes for the eradication of illicit
cultivation of Cannabis Sativa;
- Coordination of
monitoring of Illicit cultivation of Cannabis among Member States
as well as the countering Money Laundering;
- For Crime Prevention,
encourage the Member States and the RECs art actions to be taken
against the prevention of corruption, Organised Crime, Terrorism,
countering Money Laundering, Trafficking in Human Beings, Organised
Prostitution, as well as creation awareness and information exchange;
- Promotion of Research,
and information exchange among Member States;
- Collation of data
and analysis of such data on the drug abuse pattern among the
Member States;
- Development of an
African Policy on Doping in Sports;
