CONFERENCE THEME
The AU Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption: Winning or Loosing the Fight
The African Union adopted the Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption in Africa on 1st July, 2003 in Maputo, Mozambique. The Convention entered into force on 5th August, 2006 and has been ratified by 38th Member States (as at 2017). However, the implementation of the Convention, like many others instruments remains a challenge.
The African Union declared 2018 as the African Anti–Corruption Year, with theme is “Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation” estimating that 25 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of African countries is lost to corruption annually with 5 percent of these resources lost through illegitimate financial flows. 65% of the outflows are drawn from commercial activity by multinationals and 30% from criminal activities. In addition, the High–Level Panel Report on Illicit financial flows estimated that Africa is losing more than $50 billion every year as governments and multinational companies engage in criminal activities aimed at avoiding tax payments, hindering development projects and denying poor people access to essential services. Dealing with corruption and cutting illegal financial flows will result in Africa retaining capital made on the continent and use those resources to finance the continent’s development agenda as represented in the African Union’s Agenda 2063 as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.
Corruption is a complex phenomenon that is rooted in a range of political, economic and social power relations. Corruption is therefore not simply about individual benefit and private gain but involves broader interests and gains accrued from political and economic systems. It is a characteristic of wider unequal economic and political governance measures that allow a few to benefit at the expense of many.
The African Union’s Advisory Board on Corruption (AUABC) is the emanation of the AU Convention on Combating and Preventing Corruption (AUCPCC) and it was created on 26th May 2009 under Article 22 (1) of The Convention. This Organ bases its work on the provisions of this legal instrument and in this regard, it is the unique continental organization mandated by the African Union to deal with corruption and related themes in Africa. In a bid to engage the civil society representatives on such an important continental discussion, the October, 2018 session of the NGOs Forum will focus on the issue of Corruption. The discussions will assist in exploring the potential of greater alliance building and broader networking by CSOs and existing AU organs in order to register stronger results that are viable and sustainable in combatting corruption in Africa. Additionally, the ground breaking Call to Action Document which called for 10 transformational interventions by state and non-state actors will be showcased and discussed.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the NGOs Forum is mainly to foster closer collaboration between and among NGOs and with the African Commission and other African human rights mechanisms, for the purpose of promoting and protecting human rights in Africa.
Status of Human Rights and Democracy in Africa
Special Interest Groups Discussions
| Prisons and Conditions of Detention in Africa | Rights of Women in Africa | Human Rights Defenders in Africa |
| Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa | Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa | Prevention of Torture in Africa |
| Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Africa | Death Penalty and Extra-Judicial, Summary or Arbitrary Killings in Africa | Rights of Older Persons and People with Disabilities in Africa |
| People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and those at Risk, Vulnerable to and Affected by HIV | Extractive Industries; Environment and Human Rights Violations | Policing and Human Rights |
| Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) | Freedom of Association and Assembly | Youth Development |
| Enforced Disappearances | Corruption | Peace and Security |
| Indigenous Populations/Communities in Africa | ||
Networking for Human Rights in Africa
Languages:
Participants:
Expected Outcomes
- Adoption of Recommendations and Resolutions to be forwarded to the African Commission for its consideration during the 63rd Ordinary Session
- The review of the implementation of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (challenges and way forward)
- NGOs Statement at the official opening of the 63rd Ordinary Session (highlighting deliberations of the NGOs Forum)
- Presentation of alternative reports on the situation of human rights in countries (Angola, Botswana, Egypt, Togo) whose states reports are to be examined during the said Session
- Networking, advocacy and lobbying opportunity at different levels
Visa:
Accommodation:
REGISTRATION FEES
Furthermore, note that the said amount should be paid by ALL participants in cash at the registration desk.
PANEL FEES
Kindly complete the panel request form online as detailed as possible on or before Friday, 7th September, 2018. Please note that the African Centre is not obliged to receive and process panel requests received after the deadline. Partners are required to contribute the amount US$300.00 (three hundred US Dollars) for all approved requests as their contribution towards the organization of the NGOs Forum.
Please note that for panel requests to be considered by the Steering Committee of the NGOs Forum, all request must be framed around the theme of the Forum.
Administrative Fees for side events:
