GLOBAL POLICY DIALOGUE
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Co-Sponsors: Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy & Development, the Stimson Center, One Earth Future Foundation, U.S. Institute of Peace, Humanity United Foundation, the Global Challenges Foundation, Olof Palme International Centre, Foundation for European Progressive Studies, and the Max van der Stoel Foundation, in collaboration with the following partner organizations: Centre for Democracy and Development West Africa, Global Governance Innovation Network, Kofi Annan Foundation, Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation, Center for Democracy and Development, SDG Kenya Forum, Synergos Institute Nigeria, UN University Centre for Policy Research, European Institute of Peace, Institute for Economics and Peace, and Oxfam International
Background
To prevent recurring global and regional crises in the aftermath of the First and Second World Wars and help to advance human development worldwide, the United Nations was founded in 1945, with only Ethiopia and Liberia qualifying from Africa as original Member States. With political independence, Africa’s UN membership rose over time to fifty-four.
Today, many African countries are struggling to meet their development goals due to the impact of severe and mutually reinforcing socioeconomic, environmental, and political shocks. According to the UN Economic Commission for Africa, economic growth dwindled from 4.6 percent in 2021 to 3.6 percent in 2022, helping to push 18 million more persons into poverty on a continent already dealing with a substantial poverty problem. Compounding this situation, nearly 600 million Africans do not have access to sustainable energy. In addition, across Africa today, many intrastate conflicts are being exploited by international state and non-state actors, fueling human suffering and helping to reverse a long-term, global decline in political violence since the end of the Cold War.
More than ever, and in the run-up to the September 2024 Summit of the Future, African perspectives and innovation priorities need to be heard in policy debates on improving the performance of today’s global institutions (including the UN system) and African regional institutions (including the African Union, ECOWAS, and other sub-regional organizations), so as to better address the critical issues of sustainable development, peace and security, climate governance, democratic and digital participation, and human rights and humanitarian action.
Why now?
Drawing on the Savannah Centre‘s unique convening power across West Africa and the wider African Continent, the SOTF Africa Regional Dialogue will give special attention to the need for enhanced cooperation and coordination between the United Nations and regional/sub-regional organizations (e.g., the African Union and Abuja-based ECOWAS), between countries in the Global South (South-South Cooperation), and between the United Nations and non-state actors from civil society and the private sector (e.g., the Albright-Gambari Commission’s idea of a “UN Global Partnership,” to better harness the ideas, networks, capabilities, and diversity of civil society and private sector actors in the work of the, heretofore, primarily intergovernmental United Nations).
The“theory of change” driving the SOTF Africa Regional Dialogue and earlier regional and global policy dialogues is rooted in the conviction that greater results can be achieved when: (1) individual states and non-state actors recognize that their priority issues or institutional reforms can benefit from a regionally and globally systemic, coalition-supported effort; (2) greater opportunities arise for “deal-making” and linkages between innovative proposals across distinct sectors and institutional settings; and (3) momentum for reform is generated and sustained by early wins on easier issues that lay the groundwork for progress on harder questions.
Objectives
- To convene leading policy researchers, practitioners, and advocates from Africa and around the world to debate and recommend specific regional and global institutional, policy, legal, normative, and operational innovations that could inform the agenda—and help to raise the ambition—of the Summit of the Future, giving special attention to African perspectives and innovation priorities.
- To establish a new platform for African policy researchers and advocates to critically discuss and advance policy research on “What Africa Wants” and the type of relationship the Continent needs to have with the UN, World Bank, IMF, WTO, and regional (including African Union and African Development Bank), and sub-regional institutions (e.g., ECOWAS).
- To strengthen African Union, ECOWAS, and UN collaboration, including through the New Agenda for Peace, Global Digital Compact, and Declaration on Future Generations.
PARTICIPANTS' PROFILES
Oba (Dr.) Adedokun Omoniyi Abolarin, is a seasoned resource person with local and international footprint. A teacher, political scientist, historian and lawyer. He had his education at Seventh Day Adventist Primary Agodi, Ibadan, Oyo State and his secondary education at Adventist Grammar School, Ede Osun State from 1970 to 1974. He was admitted to the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile Ife, to study History, but I later changed to Political Science and graduated in 1980. In 1981, he had his youth corps scheme in Nigeria Police Staff College, Jos. ts and Science (OSCAS), Ile-Ife, where he worked from 1981 to 1989.
HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, OBA (DR.) ADEDOKUN OMONIYI ABOLARIN, AROYINKEYE I
Current Location:
N'Djamena, Chad.
Prof. Zakaria Ousman
About the Organization: The International Crisis Group is an independent organisation based in Brussels, Belgium working to prevent wars and shape policies that will build a more peaceful world.
Current Location: Nigeria
Nnamdi Obasi
About the Organization: The Institute for Strategic Studies (ISS) Africa is a non-profit organisation which enhances human security by providing authoritative research, expert policy advice and capacity-building with offices in South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia and Senegal. The goal of the ISS is to build knowledge and skills for Africa’s future and to enhance human security as a means to achieving sustainable peace and prosperity.
Current Location: South Africa
Fonteh Akum
About the Organization: The European Institute of Peace (EIP) is an non-profit organisation which provide practical experiences, technical expertise, and policy avide on conflict resolution with the goal to achieve safety and peace through inclusive dialogue and lasting political agreements. The Institute works with national and supranational european decision makers, parties involved in conflicts, the conflict prevention, resolution and mediation community from various levels.
Current Location: United Kingdom
Nuradin Dirie
About the Organization: PRAWA is a non-governmental organization, which promotes human rights for people in prison, and helps those who have survived prison to successfully integrate into the community. It works to promote institutional reforms to create access to justice, rehabilitation, and social development for prisoners, ex-prisoners, torture victims and youth at risk.
Current Location: Nigeria
Dr. Uju Agomoh
About the Organization: Sustainable Gender Action Initiative(SGAI) is a non profit, non-governmental, women and human rights organization focused on sustainable gender actions for gender equality and development. Established in 2012, It strives to see a world where every effort on gender and development contributes to a sustainable gender action for global growth and development.
Current Location: Nigeria
Mufuliat Fijabi
About the Organization: Women's Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative is a non-profit organisation which seeks to advance and protect the rights of women as provided by national laws and policies, regional and international treaties.
Current Location: Nigeria
Saudatu Mahdi
About the Organization: The Institute for Global Dialogue (IGD) is an independent South African non-governmental organisation that provides policy analysis on the changing global environment and its impact on South Africa for the benefit of government and civil society. Its thematic focus includes South African Foreign Policy Analysis, Multilateral Analysis, African Dialogue and Southern Africa.
Current Location: South Africa
Mikatekiso Kubayi
About the Organization: The Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative, also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN) is a women-led, non-governmental organization dedicated to enhancing citizens’ participation and improving security governance in Nigeria and West Africa broadly, achieved through its Rule of Law, Citizens Security and CSO Strengthening program areas. It aims to enhance citizens’ participation and improves security governance in Nigeria and West Africa.
Current Location: Abuja, Nigeria.
Dr. Kemi Okenyodo
About the Organization: The African Union (AU) is a continental organization founded in 2001, succeeding the Organization of African Unity. Comprising 55 member states, its goals include promoting unity, peace, and development in Africa. The AU addresses political, economic, and social issues, striving for African integration and cooperation. Key organs include the Assembly of Heads of State, the Commission, and the Pan-African Parliament. The AU engages in conflict resolution, economic development, and advocating for African interests on the global stage.
Current Location: Sudan,Central Africa.
Amb. Salah S. Hammad
About the Organization: Electoral Institute of Southern Africa (EISA) established in 1996 in South Africa, is a not-for-profit organisation promoting credible elections, citizen participation, and strong political institutions for sustainable democracy in Africa.
Current Location: South Africa
Prof Khabele Matlosa
Current Location:
Madagascar.
Ms Harimé Slyvia Randrianarivo
About the Organization: The Centre was established to mobilise global opinion and resources for democratic development and provide an independent space to reflect critically on the challenges posed to the democratization and development processes in West Africa, and also to provide alternatives and best practices to the sustenance of democracy and development in the region.
Current Location: Abuja, Nigeria.
Mr Afolabi Adekaiyaoja
About the Organization: The Stimson Center promotes international security and shared prosperity through applied research and independent analysis, global engagement, and policy innovation.
Current Location: United Kingdom.
Ms. Nudhara Yusuf
About the Organization: The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) is the umbrella Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in Nigeria. We largely exist as a civil coalition of organizations which brings together the key umbrella (OPDs) in Nigeria.
Current Location: Lagos, Nigeria.
Mr. Abdullah Aliya Usman
About the Organization: The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has the primary responsibility to advise on, facilitate the execution of, and steer the foreign policy of Kenya on behalf of the President.
Current Location: Kenya.
Dr. Abraham Korir SingOei
About the Organization: The Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) is a regional organization in North Africa, established in 1989 to promote economic integration and cooperation among its member states. Its founding members are Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia.
Current Location: Morocco.
Dr. Hatem Ghemari
About the Organization: The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group’s mission is to help reduce poverty, improve living conditions for Africans and mobilize resources for the continent’s economic and social development.With this objective in mind, the institution aims at assisting African countries in their efforts to achieve sustainable development.
Current location: Senegal.
Mr. Gerald Esambe
About the Organization: The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) in Cape Town is a South African organization dedicated to promoting reconciliation, transitional justice, and human rights. Established in 2000, it focuses on addressing historical injustices and fostering social cohesion through research, dialogue, and training programs.
Current Location: South Africa
Prof.Timothy Murithi
Affiliated Organization: African Union Commission (AUC)
About the Organization: The African Union Commission (AUC) is the executive cum administrative secretariat of the African Union (AU). Situated in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Commission is saddled with daily administration of the Union in alignment with its core mandates.
Current Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Aïssatou Hayatou
About the Organization: The University of Nairobi is a research intensive institution based in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya with a reputation for excellence and a strong and vibrant research culture.
Current Location: Nairobi, Kenya.
Alice Odingo
Affiliated Organization: Foundation For European Progressive Studies (FEPS)
About the Organization: The Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) is a think tank of the progressive political family at the European Union (EU) level. Its mission is to develop innovative research, policy advice, training and debates to inspire and inform socialist and social democratic politics and policies across Europe.
Current Location: Brussels Region, Belgium
Christian Salm
About the Organization: African Union (AU) is an intergovernmental organization with the mission to promote unity and solidarity of African states, to drive economic development, and promote international cooperation. Its vision is to support an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa, driven by its own people and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.
Current Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Sabina N. Nforba
About the Organization: The MacArthur Foundation is a private foundation that makes grants and impact investments to support non-profit organizations in approximately 117 countries around the world across various thematic areas.
Current Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Dr. Kole Shettima
About the Organization: Bingham University is a private tertiary institution located in Karu, Nasarawa State. It was founded in 2005 by the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA). Its mission is to produce graduates that have both knowledge and skills for self-reliance in the fear of Christ.
Current Location: Nigeria
Dr. Cordelia Nwogbo-Egwu
About the Organization: Modibbo Adama University, Yola is a public research university established with the purpose of advancing science-based research. Its mission is to set the path for knowledge by providing educational and entrepreneurial services for sustainable growth and development.
Current Location: Nigeria
Prof. Jude Momodu
About the Organization: MONUSCO is the successor of the peacekeeping operation, United Nations Organization Mission in Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) set up on July 1st, 2010. Its mission include the protection of civilians, humanitarian personnel and human rights defenders under imminent threat of physical violence and to support the Government of the DRC in its stabilization and peace consolidation efforts.
Current Location: Congo
Dali Ten Hove
About the Organization: National Defence College (NDC), is an apex military training institution of Nigeria for senior military officer of the Nigeria Armed Forces. Its mission is to impart knowledge and development of expertise and skills for selected senior officer and civilian ones through a firm understanding for the factors which implies the impact of the nations security and prepare them in higher responsibilities at strategic and operational level both in international assignment. Current Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Dr. Olajumoke Ganiyat Jenyo
Current Location: Nigeria
Maj. Gen Babagana Monguno
About the Organization: AfCFTA policy Network is an international nongovernmental organisation focused primarily as a think tank on African continental free trade area implementation. Its mission is to create, develop, and deliver relevant and superior resource, information streams and systems that attract, engage and impact the biggest audience and positively impact the continental network of traders, regulatory authorities, policy makers and lifestyles to assure maximum value.
Current Location: Accra, Ghana
Emmanuel Bensah
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