The African Union Agenda 2063 Consultative Meeting WithThe African Media

Yaoundé, Cameroun, 10^th December 2013: Within the process of developing Africa Agenda 2063, a continental strategic framework for growth and development for Africa in the next 50 years, African Union Commission (AUC) held a consultation with the African Media on the agenda 2063, on 10 and 11 December 2013, in Yaoundé, Cameroun. The meeting observed a minute of silence to pay tribute to the late Mr. Nelson Mandela, the international and continental icon of the African renaissance.

Welcoming the participants, H.E Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, in remarks delivered on her behalf by Mr. Mandla Madonsela, AUC Director of Strategic Planning said “Agenda 2063 is a people driven and bottom up process built on pan-Africanism, African values, and Africa’s determination to exercise full control over its resources and shape its destiny”. He noted that the Agenda offers the media a unique privilege and an unprecedented opportunity to be a key player that should stand ready to live up to the people's expectation. At the same time, it bestows on the media a huge responsibility to continue to work towards an African media culture and capability.

Referring to pervious consultations with African stakeholders, Mr. Mandla added that AUC, over the course of the next few months, will be reaching out to large segments of stakeholders through consultations, which are all the more important because Africa’s development trajectory has often relied on narratives and paradigms developed by others and it is long overdue for Africans to reclaim their own narrative. (Please find the full speech of the Chairperson on AU web Site: www.au.int)

Mrs. Habiba Mejri-Cheikh, AUC Director for Information and Communication, in her opening remarks, highlighted the importance of the African Union Agenda 2063 consultative meeting with the African Media and said " African journalist should tell African stories to Africa and the world ". The Director laid emphasis on the role Pan African media has to play at all stages of the Agenda 2063 formulation and implementation process.

The African Union is engaging with the Pan African media community, which it considers as a significant partner who is also a highly appreciated stakeholder. The media is called upon to contribute stories to ensure that African narratives are not developed by others. This process then open the way for African journalists to reclaim their own narrative and contribute to the type of Africa we all want to see by 2063” DIC Director said.

During their two-day meeting, the AU and the African Media will share the vision of Africa in 2063, propose the way forward in terms of milestones, key drivers and enablers, identify development priorities for Agenda 2063, including for the media. The meeting will also discuss and develop a draft Communications Strategy for Agenda 2063, determine how greater number of stakeholders can participate in the formulation, implementation and oversight of Agenda 2063 and the role of the media, and appreciate how others can be inspired into taking active role in the development and implementation of Agenda 2063. Additionally, the participants will consider the AU Commission's strategic plan for 2014-2017 and how Africans can play a part in the realization of Plan outcomes.

Requested by the 21st Ordinary session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government, at Addis Ababa, 26 May 2013, Africa Agenda 2063 is been developing by the AUC in close collaboration with the NEPAD Coordinating Agency and supported by the African Development Bank, the Economic Commission for Africa. It aimed to develop Africa’s growth trajectory for the next 50 years benefitting from lessons learnt over the last 50 years.

This AU consultation with the African Media is part of a series of “discussions” with many actors of African society. Previous similar consultations have been undertaken with various sectors including; Ministries ofEconomic, Finances and Planning, private sector, the civil society, Diaspora, women, youth as well as eminent personalities.

The recommendation and suggestions of this consultation will be used as inputs to enhance the draft Agenda, which will be presented to the upcoming January 2014 AU Summit. A final Agenda 2063 Plan will be completed and submitted to the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in June, 2014.

For more information log on http://agenda2063.au.int and join all African and Friends of Africa who are contributing to Agenda 2063.