On September 9, 2008, at the First Permanent General Assembly in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the African Union (AU) laid the decisive cornerstone to consolidate the institutional architecture of the AU by launching the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the Union (ECOSOCC). 

The presiding Chair of the Union and President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, in his keynote address emphasized that  "with the establishment of ECOSOCC we are creating a people-oriented, people-centered, and people-driven community in the African Union in which all stakeholders are effectively represented". Moreover, he added "this event today has its uniqueness and significance in the annals of international organizations. This is the first time that an institution such as the African Union that began as an intergovernmental organization is incorporating non-state actors as full partners in the policy making process."

I am humbled by my historic appointment as the AU ECOSOCC Special Adviser on Diaspora Relations. Other Special AU ECOSOCC Special Advisers are:

1) Adviser on Regional and International Partnerships

* Professor Dipo Kolawole, Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

2) Adviser on Governance and intergovernmental Relations

* Chukuemeka Eze, Executive Director, West African Network for Peacebuilding, WANEP, Accra, Ghana

3) Adviser on Interfaith, interreligious and Intercultural Issues

* Ambassador Mussie Hailu, Regional Director of United Religions Initiative (URI) for Africa, Representative of URI to UN office in Africa, UNEPA, UNECA, UN-Habitat and AU

4) Adviser Private Sector and Economic Relations

* Mr. Michael Sudarkasa, Esq., Africa Business Group, Johannesburg, South Africa

5) Adviser on Diaspora Relations 

* Ms Evelyn Joe, African Union Diaspora Organisation, USA

Based on the AU Press Release on May 8, 2015, "The appointments are made in recognition of the skills and outstanding quality of the advisers and their expressed commitment to the integration and development agenda of Africa and the African Union."

I congratulate my colleagues who bring enormous talent and passion to the tasks that must be done and my appreciation to the Presiding Officer of ECOSOCC, Dr. Joseph Chilengi. Working together for the common love for our cherished Motherland Africa, we can can serve as public stewards of hope and action that translate to Africa's finest hours in development and with African people as drivers of empowerment.

http://pages.au.int/ECOSOCC

The ECOSOCC serves as the main link between the Civil Society and the AU. I congratulate the other four esteemed Special Advisers who undoubtedly come with backgrounds that will serve our cherished Motherland. Africa's potentials beckon her Sons and Daughters to rise for the Renaissance and build. Who should heed to the clarion call? All who trace their ancestry to Africa or call Africa home. 

 

The  ECOSOCC of  the African Union is a separate organ of the Union. For example, both the African Union Commission headed by Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and the ECOSOCC headed  Dr. Joseph Chilengi have respective sphere of work and authority. Both report directly to the Executive Council of the African Union and the Assembly of Heads of State and Governments. We are, therefore, appointed Special Advisers to a distinct organ of the African Union.  

Dr. Joseph Chilengi, Presiding Officer of AU ECOSOCC

We know more about the Heads of State. Here is the summary of the Executive Council. 

http://www.au.int/en/organs/council

The Diaspora is not limited to the United States; it covers every continent outside Africa. As construed by the African Union, an African Diaporan is anyone one who traces his or her heritage to Africa and is committed to her development. Given the broad definition, there would be peculiarities among the diverse constituency. However, there is room enough for common as well as  unique needs, attributes, considerations and contributions.

  

The budget for ECOSOCC is set by the AU and there are  no  salaries or fixed remunerations.  Accordingly,  the  offices and outstanding success of each,  going beyond the given, rests on the resourcefulness of those who make it happen. 

        

I am committed to serve with standards that are efficient, ethical and exemplary. I count on  your collaboration. Together, we can translate potentials to solutions. 

Viva Africa.

Thank You; Merci (French); Asante (Swahili); Bot�ndi (Lingala);

Amesegunalhun (Amharic);  Shukran (Arabic).

Evelyn Joe

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday May 18, 2015 asked the African Union to expedite the integration agenda of the continent.

He said deeper integration was key in unlocking the continent's economic development.

The President said Africans needed to work together in trade, investment and the free movement of people across borders.

That integration should start by breaking the artificial borders created by the colonial masters and writing a new narrative to disabuse the notion that Africa is a hopeless continent characterised by disaster and death.

The President spoke in Midrand, South Africa, where he opened the 6th Ordinary Session of the Third Parliament of the Pan African Parliament (PAP).

He said Africa stands on the most promising times for its renaissance and rebirth since the founding fathers won the independence of their countries.

President Kenyatta said Africa must start looking inwards for solutions to its various challenges rather than continued dependency on other world economies including economic dependency.

"The future of our continent cannot be left to the good graces of outside interests.  Dependency on giving that only appears to be charitable must end.  Foreign aid, which so often carries terms and conditions that preclude progress is not an acceptable basis for prosperity and freedom. It is time to give it up", said the President.

Courtesy Daily Nation. President Kenyatta's perspectives have been published by many media outlets.

The emails, texts, and phone calls are too many to document and some naturally got buried among mails (laughs). However, encouraging in both content and context, they are testaments to what can be accomplished through 3 cs - Commitment, Collaboration, Competence. From those who knew me as a child, those who did  along the growth curve, some online community members, to those who relate to the potentials, the few selections represent a broader spectrum of voices united by  a common thread:  the   Africa We Want - Vision 2063.  

O yes, with vital equity for women and youth development, and populations with special needs. Not to forget, 2015 is AU's Year of Women Empowerment and Development Toward Agenda 2063.