Introduction

The Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) is an advisory organ designed to amplify the voice of African Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the decision-making processes of the African Union (AU). 

Composed of one hundred and fifty (150) different social and professional groups of AU Member States, ECOSOCC provides African Civil Society Organisations the opportunity to play an active role in contributing to the AU’s principles, policies, and programmes.

Far more than an advisory body, ECOSOCC emerges as the embodiment of change, a conduit that channels the concerns, dreams, and aspirations of diverse civil society organisations in Africa.

ECOSOCC provides a platform where the often unheard voices of CSOs and underserved communities find resonance within the AU's decision-making corridors. By design, ECOSOCC transforms the AU into a space for inclusive growth, where partnership and collaboration with civil societies become vital tools in the formulation and execution of policies that chart Africa's trajectory.

Background and Establishment

ECOSOCC was established in July 2004 to comprise social and professional groups of the AU Member States. To this end, Articles 5 and 22 of the Constitutive Act of the African Union set the framework for the Economic, Social, and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) as an integral organ within the AU structure, bestowing it with the vital mandate to ensure the representation and engagement of CSOs in AU affairs.

The Act legitimises the necessity for a formal platform to enable CSOs to have a voice in the AU's decision-making mechanisms. This underscores the vital role that civil society plays in ensuring that the AU functions in an inclusive and responsive manner vis-à-vis its citizens.

ECOSOCC’s key role, as outlined in the Constitutive Act, is to offer advice to help translate the AU's objectives, principles, and policies into tangible programmes, and to assess, through consultations, the effectiveness of these programmes once they are implemented.

The Need for African Civil Society Organisations in AU’s Decision-Making

The engagement of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) emerges not only as a strategic move but as an essential linchpin for holistic progress.

At its core, the involvement of CSOs embodies the very essence of representative democracy. They bridge the chasm between policymakers and the diverse spectrum of African citizens. By providing a conduit for the voices of the marginalised and the underrepresented, CSOs ensure that the AU's policies encapsulate the multi-faceted needs of its people.

Where the rubber meets the road, CSOs stand as invaluable repositories of grounded feedback. Their proximity to local communities equips them to furnish unfiltered, real-time insights into the practical impact and effectiveness of AU policies and programmes. This symbiotic relationship between CSOs and the AU fosters a feedback loop that is critical for informed decision-making.

Yet, their significance transcends localised insights. CSOs often specialise in specific sectors, becoming veritable founts of specialised knowledge. 

As the AU shapes policies spanning from gender equality to environmental conservation, these organisations infuse the discourse with expertise drawn from the very domains that these policies touch. This convergence of real-world experience and strategic deliberation breathes life into AU policies, elevating them from theoretical constructs to practical, impactful measures.

For the AU, the partnership with CSOs amplifies implementation. Their networks, established through years of community interaction, serve as channels for the effective rollout of AU policies on the ground. This hands-on approach not only enhances policy penetration but also showcases the AU's tangible impact at the grassroots level.

Additionally, CSOs stand as torchbearers for human rights, champions for gender equality, and advocates for the marginalised. Their resonance with these pressing concerns ensures that the AU remains true to its commitment to inclusivity and social justice.

Amidst these roles, CSOs don yet another hat—educators. They traverse the intricate landscape of the AU's objectives, disseminating this knowledge to the farthest corners of society. Informed citizens become stakeholders, active participants in Africa's collective journey towards progress.

This relationship extends even to conflict-stricken regions. CSOs, often operating in these areas, offer invaluable insights into peace-building efforts. Through mediation and dialogue, they sew the fabric of reconciliation, epitomising the bridge-building ethos of the AU.

ECOSOCC Structure and Organisation

The structure of ECOSOCC is multifaceted, comprising various levels of representation. This includes the following:

• Two Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) from each Member State.

• Ten CSOs with a regional remit.

• Eight CSOs operating on a continental scale.

• Twenty (20) CSOs representing the African Diaspora as outlined by the Executive Council and spanning a global reach.

• Six ex-officio CSOs, nominated by the African Union Commission (AUC) in consultation with Member States for special consultative functions.

Aligned with ECOSOCC's statutory guidelines, the selection of representatives across Member States, regions, continents, and the Diaspora adheres to a balanced diversity framework: 50 percent gender equality and 50 percent representation of individuals aged between 18 and 35. Each elected member serves a four-year term and is eligible for a single re-election.

Categories of Membership

The cadre of CSO participants is broad and inclusive. These CSOS include but are not limited to the following:

• Social groups: This includes advocacy groups for women, children, the youth, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities and special needs.

• Professional groups: This includes associations and unions advocating for professionals or artisans alike. Some of these professions include artists, engineers, health practitioners, media, social workers, teachers, sports associations, social scientists, legal professionals, academia, business organisations, employers, national chambers of commerce, workers, and industry and agriculture. Private sector interest groups are equally allowed.

• Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs): This includes philanthropic entities including NGOs promoting different societal causes, such as human rights, cultural diversity, youth empowerment, health and well-being, education, hunger eradication, peacebuilding, environmental stewardship, poverty alleviation, as well as community-based organisations (CBOs) and voluntary organisations.

• Cultural Organisations: This includes those agitating for the inclusion and growth of indigenous African cultures.

• Social and Professional Organisations in the African Diaspora - as categorised by the Executive Council

ECOSOCC General Assembly: Governance & Oversight

The apex of ECOSOCC's decision-making hierarchy is its General Assembly, comprised of all constituent members. This Assembly is mandated to:

• Issue advisory opinions and scrutinised reports

• Frame and amend budgetary and operational proposals

• Approve and modify a Code of Ethics and Conduct tailored for CSOs in affiliation or collaboration with the AU

The Bureau, the executive subset of the Assembly, consists of a Presiding Officer and five deputies. They are elected based on principles of equitable geographical distribution and rotational tenure, including a designated Diaspora representative.

Standing Committee: Coordination & Execution

Emerging from the General Assembly, an 18-member Standing Committee is established, incorporating the Bureau, chairpersons of the Ten Sectoral Cluster Committees, and two nominated AUC representatives. 

This committee serves a two-year term and is tasked with harmonising ECOSOCC activities, preparing for General Assembly sessions, enforcing ethical standards, and compiling the annual ECOSOCC report for submission to the AU Assembly.

Credentials Committee: Verification & Authentication

Formed under the auspices of the General Assembly, this committee is entrusted to verify the credentials of ECOSOCC representatives.  Its Rules of Procedure are adopted by the General Assembly. The Credentials Committee consists of a diversified array of sub-groups, including regional and Diaspora representatives as well as those advocating for vulnerable groups, the aged, physically challenged and people living with HIV/AIDS; and two AUC representatives. 

Sectoral Cluster Committees: Specialised Input

The ECOSOCC framework includes ten specialised Sectoral Cluster Committees that serve as crucial mechanisms for generating insights and strategic input into AU policies and programmes. These committees align with the technical departments of the AUC and cover a broad range of sectors.

They include:

• Peace and Security Committee

• Political Affairs Committee

• Infrastructure and Energy Committee

• Social Affairs and Health Committee

• Human Resources, Sciences and Technology Committee

• Trade and Industry Committee

• Rural Economy and Agriculture Committee

• Economic Affairs Committee

• Women and Gender Committee

• Cross-Cutting Programs Committee

Membership Criteria of ECOSOCC

The criteria to be met by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) seeking membership in ECOSOCC are outlined below:

• Be a national, regional, continental or African Diaspora CSO, without limitations on conducting regional or international activities.

• Have objectives and principles that align with the principles and objectives of the Union, as stipulated in Articles 3 and 4 of the Constitutive Act.

Registration and standing

• Be registered in a Member State of the Union and/or;

• Satisfy the general conditions for eligibility for the granting of Observer 

Status to non-governmental organisations

• Show a minimum of three (3) years evidence of registration as either an African or African Diaspora CSO prior to the application submission date, including proof of operations for those years.

• Provide annual audit statements from an independent auditing firm.

• Show proof evidence that the ownership and management of the CSO consist of no less than fifty percent (50%) of individuals who are Africans or of African Diaspora.

• The basic resources of such an Organisation must substantially, at a minimum of fifty percent (50%), come from contributions of the organisation's members. Where external voluntary contributions have been accepted, their amounts and sources should be faithfully disclosed in the membership application. Any financial or other backing or contribution, either direct or indirect, from a government to the Organisation must be openly declared and comprehensively recorded in the financial documents of the Organisation.

• Disclose information on funding sources in the preceding three (3) years.

• For regional and continental CSOs, demonstrate evidence of activities that engage or are active in at least three (3) Member States of the Union.

• CSOs that discriminate on the grounds of religion, gender, tribe, ethnicity, race or political affiliation will be ineligible for representation in ECOSOCC;

• Adherence to a Code of Ethics and Conduct for civil society organisations affiliated with or collaborating with the Union.

Functions and Roles of ECOSOCC

The Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) assumes an essential role within the African Union (AU), encompassing functions that are fundamental to the AU's core identity and effectiveness. These roles traverse a spectrum that underscores the indispensability of ECOSOCC in shaping the AU's trajectory and fostering engagement with the African populace.

Advising AU on Policies and Programs

Central to ECOSOCC's mandate is its role as an enlightened advisor to the AU. By offering insights rooted in varied perspectives, it enriches the AU's policies and programs. This function fosters a harmonious resonance between the AU's vision and the real-world dynamics of Africa. The result is a policy landscape that encapsulates the nuances of the continent, galvanising sustainable growth, economic development, and progress.

Fostering Dialogue Between AU and Civil Society

ECOSOCC’s responsibility to nurture dialogue ensures that voices from every echelon of African society are not merely acknowledged but deeply considered. This function epitomises the AU's dedication to participatory governance, cultivating a vibrant tapestry of discourse among governments, civil society, and citizens. This, in turn, results in a policy formulation process that is both inclusive and effective

Monitoring and Implementation

ECOSOCC serves as a vigilant watchdog that ensures AU policies and programmes materialise on the ground as envisaged. This function underscores transparency, accountability, and the AU's commitment to tangible impact. Through this function, ECOSOCC fortifies the AU's credibility and effectiveness in the eyes of the African populace.

Advocacy and Public Awareness

The advocacy function of ECOSOCC is not a mere call to action; it's a resounding echo of the AU's foundational values. By advocating for good governance, democratic principles, human rights, social justice, and gender equality, ECOSOCC amplifies the AU's ethical stance. This function ensures that these values are not hollow rhetoric, but are deeply embedded in Africa's collective consciousness.

Civil Society Participation Promotion

ECOSOCC's catalytic function invigorates civil society engagement, transforming observers into active contributors. By galvanising diverse segments of society, ECOSOCC empowers Africans to play an instrumental role in shaping the continent's future. This function underscores that the AU's journey isn't the domain of a select few; it's a collaborative endeavour that thrives when driven by the passion and insights of its people.

ECOSOCC is an enabler of transformative change. Its diverse roles reinforce the symbiotic relationship between the AU and the African populace. It elevates the AU's efficacy, ensuring that its policies resonate with the pulse of Africa. ECOSOCC isn't merely a cog in the AU's machinery; it's the thread that artfully weaves the AU's aspirations into the very tapestry of the continent's progress.

Key Achievements of ECOSOCC

Policy Formulation and Agenda Setting

ECOSOCC has been a venue for civil society organisations to contribute to the AU's strategic planning processes, including the formulation of Agenda 2063, the AU’s blueprint for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future.

Women’s and Youth Empowerment

ECOSOCC has engaged in dialogues that contribute to policies aimed at empowering women and youth, such as the African Youth Charter and the Maputo Protocol on Women’s Rights.

Engagement of the African Diaspora

By supporting the Citizens and Diaspora Directorate (CIDO), there have been multiple initiatives aimed at implementing the African Union’s vision of a people-oriented organisation based on strategic partnerships between governments, civil society and the African Diaspora.

These initiatives include but are not limited to preparatory plans on the establishment of the African Diaspora Network in Canada, the AU-UN Workshop on CSO Accreditation, the AU-Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) Partnership Forum, and the Diaspora-for-Development Technical work session with the Australian Pan-African Diaspora Network.

Civil Society Engagement

One of ECOSOCC's most consistent achievements has been to provide a platform for African civil society to engage with AU institutions, thereby lending grassroots perspectives to the AU's broader policies and initiatives.

This has manifested through Citizens’ Forums aimed at shaping the future of democracy and digital governance in Africa and urges civil societies to tap into the potential of digital technologies. ECOSOCC also convenes the Global Africa People-to-People Forum which brings people from diverse backgrounds and regions within Africa and the African diaspora to exchange ideas, share experiences, and foster collaboration.

Other successful efforts to enhance civil society engagement include but are not limited to the following:

• The creation of Connect 2 ECOSOCC to tap into the expertise of African civil societies and advance the African Union development and integration agenda. 

• Collaborations with the AU’s Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) department, and the Common Market for Easter and Southern Africa (COMESA) to implement the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA).

Human Rights and Democracy

ECOSOCC has been a forum where contentious issues related to governance, human rights, and democracy have been discussed. While it may not directly enact policies, it has consistently raised the profiles of these issues in the AU.

Public Health

During the COVID-19 pandemic, ECOSOCC played a role in disseminating information and in discussions around public health policy responses, though again, the implementation of any recommendations would be up to the AU's decision-making bodies and member states.

Gender Equality

ECOSOCC collaborated with the Pan-African Parliament to shape the Draft Model Law on Gender Equality in Africa. This landmark consultation underscores ECOSOCC's commitment to advancing gender initiatives, reinforcing the Maputo Protocol, and fostering gender equality across the continent.

Peace and Security

ECOSOCC has consulted in peacebuilding initiatives and has participated in dialogues aimed at resolving conflicts, such as those in South Sudan and Somalia. Its role, however, remains consultative. Notable in these contributions are:

• ECOSOCC’s Peace and Security cluster’s interface meeting with the African Union Commission (AUC) and Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs).

• ECOSOCC has spearheaded workshops to discuss the development of a consolidated database of CSOs in the fields of peace and security in Africa.

• High-level multi-stakeholder dialogue on CSO engagement with the African Union and the African Pece and Security Architecture.

• Critical dialogue on cross-cutting issues pertaining to the peace, security, and protection of women, youth, and children in conflict situations.

Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability

ECOSOCC has advocated for sustainable environmental practices and has been part of the broader AU dialogue on responding to climate change.

Conclusion

As we delve into the essence and significance of ECOSOCC, its pivotal role becomes clear: a bridge that channels the voices, aspirations, and dynamics of African civil society into the heart of the AU's decision-making and policy-shaping processes.

The manifold roles of ECOSOCC – from nurturing dialogue and advocating for ethical governance to overseeing implementation and amplifying public awareness – coalesce into a harmonious symphony of unity, transparency, and collective action. It transcends the mere invitation of participation; it empowers diverse voices, fostering a sense of ownership and investment in the AU's vision. 

ECOSOCC embodies the AU's philosophy of participatory governance, echoing the sentiments of the African people and ensuring that their needs, dreams, and concerns are woven into the very fabric of the AU's strategies. ECOSOCC occupies a central position within the AU's mission, standing not on the periphery but firmly at its core. It's a testament to Africa's resilience, hopes, and a resounding affirmation that the AU's progress is intrinsically linked with the aspirations of its people.

As the AU and ECOSOCC continue their intertwined journey, the stage is set for Africa's renaissance – a renaissance shaped by the guiding light of unity, propelled by the voices of its people, and fuelled by the indomitable spirit of a continent that is rising together.

For more information, visit the ECOSOCC website, read the statutes of the ECOSOCC, or contact:

658 Kudu Road Kabulonga,

Lusaka, Zambia 

Email: ecosocc@africa-union.org

Tel: (260) 211429405