ECOSOCC National Chapters to Boost Collaboration Between Pan-African Parliament and Civil Society
Mr. William Carew, Head of Secretariat from African Union Economic, Social & Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) . Image/PAP Media Unit
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At the ongoing Third Ordinary Session of the Sixth Pan-African Parliament, Mr. William Carew, Head of Secretariat for the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), announced the roll-out of ECOSOCC National Chapters which he says will provide for enhancing collaboration between Pan-African Parliament (PAP) representatives and civil society organizations (CSOs) across African Union (AU) member states.
Delivering his speech at the Second Pan-African Parliament’s Dialogue with Civil Society, Carew highlighted the importance of integrating civil society into the political framework to ensure inclusive and transparent governance. He stated that ensuring continuous dialogue between parliamentarians and civil society is essential for representing diverse interests, promoting transparency, and enhancing the legitimacy of parliamentary decisions.
Carew underscored the AU’s unique position as a people-centric organization. He drew an analogy, likening the relationship between the state and its citizens to the two sides of a coin, emphasizing that both are indispensable for a functional society. “The narrative must change; parliamentarians and civil society should and can work as one. This entails a change of mindset and the realization that our days on this planet are limited,” he said.
He outlined several benefits of ongoing dialogue between parliamentarians and civil society. Civil society provides varied viewpoints that can enrich decision-making, ensures transparency, holds parliamentarians accountable, and brings invaluable grassroots insights. Engaging with civil society builds public trust in governance, encourages participation of marginalized groups in political processes, fosters understanding and cooperation aiding conflict resolution, and facilitates effective policy implementation.
Carew also linked this collaborative spirit to the AU’s Agenda 2063, a strategic framework for the continent’s socio-economic transformation. He emphasized that civil society and parliamentarians can work together to raise awareness, advocate for policy changes, and monitor progress towards Agenda 2063’s goals. “By working together in a coordinated and collaborative manner, African civil society and parliamentarians can effectively contribute to the realization of Agenda 2063’s vision for a united, prosperous, and peaceful Africa,” he asserted.
The upcoming roll-out of ECOSOCC National Chapters is expected to create robust networks at the national level, providing new platforms for PAP representatives to engage with CSOs. This initiative aims to bring policymakers and civil society closer, fostering a collaborative environment to drive the continent’s development agenda forward.
Concluding his speech, Carew extended an invitation to the ECOSOCC20 Commemorative Events, scheduled to take place in Accra from 16th to 20th July 2024. These events will celebrate the 20th anniversary of both ECOSOCC and PAP, marking two decades of their efforts to bridge the gap between the people and policymakers.
