AU WATCH

POLICY ORGANS AND RESEARCH UNIT

The Policy Organs and Research Unit coordinates all the research work of the organization and work very closely with AU Watch Research Department. The objective of the Unit is to:

 

  • Commission research and analysis at the regional level that strengthens the field and shapes its operations. It takes the lead carrying out state-of-the-art policy research leading to solutions to the challenges facing the AU and States Parties to the Constitutive Act;
  • Provide a forum for discussion among all stakeholders in the AU policy process;
  • Build collaborative networks of researchers, policy-makers and business representatives across the whole of Africa;
  • Disseminate findings and views through a regular flow of publications and public events.

The objective of the Unit’s research work is to produce a variety of outputs, including edited volumes, policy and research briefs, guidelines and principles and reports of different kinds.

The Unit carries out its research via AU Watch’s Research Department and through collaborative research networks involving the active participation of other highly reputable institutes and specialists.

 

What makes  AU Watch unique and stands out in relation to other bodies providing policy advice in Africa, is that apart from relying on the informed analytical expertise of its own researchers, who are largely independent about what they write, we are the only organization in Africa and probably in the world that uses outreach services, media and communication in the manner in which we do. Using all means possible —from radio, blogs, news and academic journals, web features, op-eds and TV appearances, to conferences, research reports, speaking engagements, and books — AU Watch works vigorously to present citizens with incisive and understandable analysis of the work of the AU, its institutions and programs. We run hundreds of private and public events – conferences, workshops and roundtables, interviews with leading AU personalities, radio and TV dramas, on stage performances, films, documentaries, seminars, yearly schools’ athletics, football and other sports competitions, mobile phone services and face-to-face communication. press conferences / briefings, schools / colleges debating competitions, moot court competitions for schools and colleges, spelling competitions for junior and senior schools and radio and TV debates on all AU matters. We also provide mentoring and training for journalists and development professionals

AU Watch not only acts as a service provider through its procurement of up-to-date information and its needs-based advising, but also provides a venue for the execution of thorough analytical work. We attach particular importance to maintaining independence in selecting its focus areas.

The Unit provides analysis on AU policies and about economic actors and the general public. It deals with a broad spectrum of analysis ranging from AU foreign policy, human rights and justice, AU politics and their institutions, agricultural and rural policy, AU financial institutions, classic security policy issues like elections and governance, trade, development, corruption, macro-economic policies of the AU, to aspects of climate protection and the practical and political challenges associated with resource scarcity.

The Unit also monitors the policies, projects and activities of the AU Watch’s Organs Program very closely. As the Secretariat of AU Watch, its technocrats ensure that the Executive Director receives timely and updated information about what is happening within AU policy organs.

To ensure that good ideas become even better ones and that they also be heard, these ideas must be questioned and challenged. Using various mediums AU Watch serves above all as a forum for exchange and communication. We provide a platform for understanding the complex landscape of the AU and its members, by galvanizing our unique network of regional leaders, researchers, journalists, analysts and scholars – where decision makers can come together with our researchers and analysts to run through scenarios in a confidential atmosphere or to discuss issues of importance to them.