Advocacy and Communication Cluster (ACC) meeting at the margin of the 17th Session of the Regional Coordination Mechanism (RCM) for Africa

INVITATION TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

WHEN: Friday, 1ST April 2016

TIME: 3:00 — 5:00 PM

WHERE: Conference Center of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

WHO: The meeting is organised by the two co-chairs of the Advocacy and Communication Cluster (ACC): the Directorate of Information and Communication of the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) of the United Nations

WHY: The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the future mandate of the Advocacy and Communication Cluster under the possible realignment of the cluster system to Agenda 2063 priorities and to present the RCM Communication strategy that will be tabled at the 17th RCM.

Objective: The main objective of the ACC meeting is to exchange views on how to better mainstream advocacy and communications efforts in the RCM system and how to reach out to the other clusters to organize joint activities aligned with the AU Agenda 2063, notably, its Ten Years Implementation Plan and to raise awareness on the flagship projects under Agenda 2063.

Specific Objectives: This will include the following:

a) To ensure that influential media follow the ethical principles of objectivity and balance in their coverage of Africa's development process; and

(b) To contribute to changing the narrative on the continent.

These dual objectives will not only enhance communication on the implementation of the objectives of RCM-Africa, and specifically the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063, but will also promote collaboration and the exchange of information among and between clusters and sub-clusters.

Expected outcomes: Popularizing Agenda 2063 will be an ongoing activity, based on the communication strategy for Agenda 2063.

There is need to enhance visibility and raise awareness around the eight priority flagship projects of Agenda 2063 First Year Implementation Plan which are to establish:

An integrated high-speed train network;

A continental free trade area; A commodities strategy; An African passport and the free movement of people; Capitalized opportunities in the aviation sector within the framework of the implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision on the Unification of the African Air Space; The Grand Inga Dam Project, realized under the flagship programme for infrastructure and energy; An effective communication strategy; A pan-African e-network.

Participants: Participants will include:

African Union Commission. African Development Bank. NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency. African Peer Review Mechanism Secretariat. Economic Community of West African States. Economic Community of Central African States. East African Community. Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa. Southern African Development Community. Community of Sahel-Saharan States. Intergovernmental Authority on Development. Arab Maghreb Union. All agencies and organizations of the United Nations system working in support of Africa, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Partners and friends of RCM-Africa, including bilateral organizations.

Background: The proposed communication strategy for the Regional Coordination Mechanism for Africa (RCM-Africa) is based on the principles of the African Union Communication, Advocacy and Marketing Strategy (2014-2017) and adopted by the AU leadership in March 2014.

It outlines the target clientele, communication challenges and the resources both at hand and those needed. Once approved, the strategy will lead to an action plan with performance indicators.

The proposed strategy aims at ensuring that information is communicated effectively both, internally within RCM-Africa as well as externally to a clearly identified target audience.

The subsidiary objectives of the strategy are to:

Assist in building and strengthening the capacity, structure, resourcing and staffing of the Directorate of Information and Communication of the African Union Commission and its ability to fulfil the communication needs of the African Union and its regional and specialized agencies Build the capacity of the African Union to enhance its visual identity and efforts to rebrand Africa though the use of the most effective tools and appropriate networks Support enhancing skills within the Directorate through staff secondments and/or exchange programmes Establish a core network of journalists from renowned media outlets on the continent and the Diaspora who can support the mandate of the Directorate to promote African Union activities Strengthen the working relationship with press attachés of embassies based in Addis Ababa and enable them to engage their respective national media by providing them with reliable information on the joint activities of the African Union and the United Nations

About Agenda 2063 and the 10-year Implementation Plan

The Agenda 2063, a plan for Africa's structural transformation, was agreed upon by African Heads of State at the African Union Golden Jubilee Summit of May 2013. Based on the Solemn Declaration, the Summit pledged to develop and pursue a transformational Agenda through eight key areas: (a) African identity and renaissance; (b) the struggle against colonialism and the right to self-determination of people still under colonial rule; (c) an integration agenda; (d) an agenda for social and economic development; (e) an agenda for peace and security; (f) democratic governance; (g) determining Africa's destiny; and (h) Africa's place in the world.

The Agenda is founded on the AU vision of “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena.” The Agenda also builds on the AU Constitutive Act and Regional frameworks.

The Agenda is also anchored on the AU vision and is based on the seven aspirations derived from the wide consultations, namely:

A Prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development; An Integrated Continent, Politically United, based on the ideals of Pan Africanism and the Vision of Africa's Renaissance; An Africa of Good Governance, Respect for Human Rights, Justice and the Rule of Law; A Peaceful and Secure Africa; An Africa with a strong Cultural Identity, Common Heritage, Values and Ethics; An Africa whose development is people-driven, especially relying on the potential offered by its women and youth; and Africa as a Strong, Resilient and Influential Global Player and Partner.

JOURNALISTS ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATION CLUSTER MEETING ON 1ST APRIL 2016 AT THE UNECA CONFERENCE CENTER.