AU WATCH

Programs

“Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.”

Haile Selassie

AU Watch was established to monitor the AU and AUMS, holding them accountable to the standards they have set for themselves. The founders of AU Watch, all former staff members of the AU were frustrated by the poor image of the AU around the world, but nevertheless inspired and hopeful of the role a resurgent AU could play in regional peace and prosperity and in the runup to 2063. They embraced both the African Governance Architecture and AGENDA 2063 as Africa’s blueprints and master plans for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future. As important as these strategic frameworks are, they realize that both the AU and its Members face a major challenge – just like the AU itself, millions of Africa’s citizens have no idea what these programs are and what they are supposed to be doing. 

AU Watch’s founders set about creating a pan-African institution that could combine establishment credibility with intellectual insurgency. It provides a platform for circumnavigating the diverse, perplexing economic and political landscape of Africa by galvanising its exclusively influential network of regional leaders, researchers, journalists, analysts, and scholars. As an influential and award-winning African NGO, based in The Gambia, AU Watch has been dedicated to finding ways to project the AU’s image as a force for good in a world that most often looks down on the efforts of the AU.

After a few short years AU Watch has become one of Africa’s preeminent regional policy and practical institutions focused on the work of the AU, its institutions and Member States; regional stability; human rights, transnational challenges ranging from democracy & governance, energy and climate change to regional development, political and economic integration. AU Watch’s programs are dedicated to addressing the most pressing issues facing the AU, AU Member States and the citizens of Africa. Led by our world class experts, these programs are the intellectual engines that drives AU Watch.

The Programs are the secretariat and administrative arm of AU Watch. Each Program ensures that policies are translated into practice. Our programs provide a platform for citizens to be a meaningful part of the AU project, empowering all of us not only to demand accountability from our leaders, but also to ask questions and demand social justice. Our programs provide a space for all Africans to contribute to the AU dream of a truly united, peaceful and prosperous Africa, including acting as a forum for the AU to reach the masses. We offer Africa’s women, youths and especially some of Africa’s most excluded communities a space to question the AU and hold those in power to account and be part of the discussions about the type of AU ‘we’ want (that is, if we want an AU at all!) and how the AU and AUMS can create effective institutions in Africa that allows meaningful participation by the populace.

In other words, in conjunction with the various AU Watch chapters, governments, partners (local and international) and our thousands of volunteers, field operatives and other experts, the Programs knuckle down and do the day-to-day work of AU Watch. The Programs translate policies into actions.

 

 Admin and Policy Program

Organs Program

 Chapter Program

Climate Change and Natural Resource Program

 Finance, Human Resource and Audit Program

Publishing, IT, Innovation and Communications Program

Fundraising and Grants Program

Judicial and Human Rights Program

Sustanable Development  Program

Media Outreach and Education Program

We Have RightsToo