2002 Statements

NATIONAL SUMMIT FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION UNDER THE NEW COTONOU AGREEMENT

The Cotonou Agreement was signed on 23 June 2000, as a partnership agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group (ACP) States, and the European Union and its member states. The objective was to promote and expedite the economic, cultural and social development of the ACP states, with a view to contributing to peace and security and to promoting a stable and democratic political environment.

Nedlac was mandated at the ACP-EU Social Council (Eco-soc) conference held in Windhoek, March 2000, to facilitate the establishment of a National Civil Society Forum and a regional Southern African platform. It is against this background that Nedlac is holding the National Civil Society Summit as follows:

DATE: 12 - 13 August 2002

VENUE: Parktonian Hotel -Johannesburg

TIME: 08h00 - 17h00

The process will culminate in the establishment of a forum for the participation of all non-state actors in multilateral agreements as a way of promoting democratic governance and sustainable development.

The summit will be attended by about 200 representatives of civil society groupings in South Africa.

SUMMIT PROGRAMME
DAY ONE:
12 AUGUST 2002
Chairperson: Nedlac Executive Director - Phillip Dexter
   
08H00 - 09H00 Tea & Registration
09h00 - 09h45 Opening and welcome: Minister M. Mdladlana, Minister of Labour
  The Mandate of Nedlac in expanding Social Dialogue and the role of Civil Society in social dialogue
09h45 - 09h50 National Anthem
09h50 - 11h00 Presentation of Working Document: Khulu Mbongo
11h00 - 11h30 TEA BREAK
11h30 - 12h15 Presentation of World Summit on Sustainable Development:
12h15 - 13h30

Plenary discussion on the composition of Civil SocietyOrganisation

13h30 - 14h30 LUNCH
14h30 - 14h50 Cotonou Agreement and its impact on Civil Society Development: ACP-EU Secretariat: Ambassador Michael Lake, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission in South Africa.
15h00 - 17h00 Breakaway Groups/Discussions

Commission topics:

 
 
  • Good Governance and country strategy
  • Development Financing and Trade
  • Nedlac-Ecosoc relationship
  • Regional co-operation and integration
  • Cotonou Agreement and its impact on Civil Society
DAY TWO
13 AUGUST 2002
Chairperson:

Community Representative: Khulu Mbongo

   
08h00 - 11h00 Continuation of Commission discussions
11h00 - 11h15 TEA BREAK
11h15 - 12h30 Report backs from Commissions (15 Minutes per commission)
12h30 - 13h05 Post Summit processes
13h05 - 13h20

Adoption of the Declaration

13h20 - 13h25 Vote of thanks and Closure: Phillip Dexter

 

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