One Day to Go: NGOs Forum Gains Visibility Through West Africa Democracy Radio
Dakar, Senegal – With just one day remaining before the Forum of NGOs Participating in the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) officially opens in Dakar, the Forum continues to gain visibility, with West Africa Democracy Radio (WADR) providing an important platform to engage the public on its significance.
On Tuesday, WADR hosted a delegation from the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) on both its English- and French-language talk shows, providing an opportunity to discuss the upcoming Forum, its objectives and the importance of civil society participation in Africa’s human rights system.
The ACDHRS delegation was represented by Mrs Hannah Forster, Executive Director of ACDHRS, and Dr Naji Moulay Lahseh, Member of the ACDHRS Governing Council.
The discussions provided listeners in Senegal and across the wider West African region with an opportunity to learn more about the Forum and the role it plays in bringing together civil society organisations, human rights defenders and other stakeholders to discuss pressing human rights and democratic governance issues affecting the continent.
The participation of ACDHRS representatives in both the English and French programmes was particularly significant in reaching audiences across the region and ensuring that the Forum’s message extends beyond those physically attending the three-day gathering.
Creating Visibility Beyond the Forum Venue
As preparations continue for the opening of the Forum tomorrow at the Pullman Dakar Teranga Hotel, media engagement remains an important part of ensuring that the discussions and outcomes of the gathering reach a wider audience.
Platforms such as WADR play a critical role in connecting regional events with the public. Through radio discussions, audiences who may not be directly involved in the Forum can gain insight into the issues being discussed and understand why civil society engagement remains important to the African human rights agenda.
The media also provides an avenue for amplifying the voices of human rights defenders and civil society organisations, bringing their concerns and recommendations to a broader audience.
For ACDHRS, the engagement with WADR forms part of efforts to strengthen visibility around the NGOs Forum and encourage wider public awareness of its objectives and expected outcomes.
A Platform for Africa’s Civil Society
The Forum, organised by ACDHRS, will bring together civil society actors from across Africa and beyond for three days of dialogue, reflection and collective engagement.
Participants are expected to deliberate on key human rights concerns, share experiences and develop resolutions and recommendations aimed at strengthening human rights protection and democratic governance across the continent.
The Forum also provides an important space for civil society to engage with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and contribute to the broader African human rights system.
As the countdown reaches its final day, the increased media visibility is helping to build awareness ahead of the opening and ensure that the Forum’s objectives are communicated beyond the conference room.
Tomorrow, Dakar will become a meeting point for civil society organisations, human rights defenders and other stakeholders committed to advancing human rights and democracy in Africa.
With just one day to go, the countdown continues.
Click the links below to watch the shows:
