AU WATCH

Africa Month

On 25 May 1963, Africa made history with the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) the precursor to the African Union (AU). Africa Day is intended to celebrate and acknowledge the successes of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU now the AU) from its creation in 25 May 1963 in the fight against colonialism and apartheid, as well as the progress that Africa has made, while reflecting upon the common challenges that the continent face.

About

Think Africa Month is a month-long Annual program with the objective of contributing to the vision of Agenda 2063.Agenda 2063 is a strategic framework for the socio- economic transformation of the continent over the next 50 years. It builds on, and seeks to accelerate the implementation of past and existing continental initiatives for growth and sustainable development. It is Africa’s blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future. It is the continent’s strategic framework that aims to deliver on its goal for inclusive and sustainable development and is a concrete manifestation of the pan-African drive for unity, self-determination, freedom, progress and collective prosperity pursued under Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance

30 days of engaging and value creating. Come participate in great events and listen to inspiring speakers. Or you just want to network – then you are on the right place. 

The month consists of a series of connected events aimed at igniting effective interaction, provide possible answers and support, and continued interaction thus birthing solutions and mutual benefit with added value. It is also aimed at recognizing the effort of stakeholders, actors and players who are contributing toward the realisation of that grand vision.

History of Africa Day

We also intend to update people’s images about the ‘Africa we all want’. The African continent is a lot more diverse than the common media image lets us believe. As the second-largest and second-most-populous continent it is a rainbow region. Therefore, Africa Month will bring some depth and width to people’s’ mindsets about the continent, and show that Africa is far more than just poverty or constant struggle.

Agenda 2063 encapsulates not only Africa’s Aspirations for the Future but also identifies key Flagship Programmes which can boost Africa’s economic growth and development and lead to the rapid transformation of the continent. It also identifies key activities to be undertaken in its 10 year Implementation Plans which will ensure that Agenda 2063 delivers both quantitative and qualitative Transformational Outcomes for Africa’s people.

 

Objectives:

  • To enhance the sense of community and create opportunities to strengthen collaboration between different stakeholders and interest groups in the furtherance of the objectives of Agenda 2063.
  • Showcase and celebrate the value, experiences, skills, and life of the African diaspora and their contributions toward Agenda 2063.
  • To promote awareness and exchange of ideas by igniting critical conversation around key issues of Africa’s development.
  • To make a positive and practical contribution to the development of the AU and its Member States.

The 2020 theme of our ‘Africa Month, is ‘Stakeholders for an Africa in Readiness for 2063’.It will particularly showcase and explore the value-creation and engagement of the African diaspora in the host and home countries. It will run from 1to 30 May 2020. Follow us for updates on the events that will take place during the month.

Some of the activities will include:

  • Media Activities:Here we conduct interviews with AU and AU stakeholders about their vision and preparedness for an Africa in 2063. We will also be putting up plays related to Agenda 2063.
  • Ecology:Events mobilizing businesses to respond to the risks of climate change and how ordinary Africans are responding to climate injustice.
  • African Economies:Talk exploring how various economies are preparing themselves for 2063.
  • Technology:Talk exploring how Africa can use the Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies in readiness of Agenda 2063.
  • Society:Events showing how AU Watch is contributing to reskilling and upskilling a billion people in the next decade.
  • Education:Talks and events showing how AU Watch is contributing to ensuring that within the next ten years, every African child is in school.
  • Geopolitics:How the ‘spirit of 2063’ can create bridges to resolve conflicts in Africa. Workshops, talks, seminars sporting events, radio programs to set kickstart conciliation.
  • Industry:Business events showcasing how businesses and governments can create the models necessary to drive enterprise in the Africa we are all expecting in 2063. Our events show how to navigate a world of political and economic tensions and driven by exponential technological change as well as increasing expectations from all stakeholders.

Where: Banjul, The Gambia

When: 25 May 2020

This conference will be held each year and gathers hundreds of human rights activists, journalists, student leaders and more. Each year, the Banjul Summit presents five awards:

(a) The Women’s Human Rights Award

(b) Human Rights Courage Award

(c) Journalist of the Year Award

(d) Human Rights Defender Award

(e) Young Person’s Human Rights Award

The theme of the 2020 Awards is “A Voice for the Voiceless,” and registration is open now.

  • Food Expo (25 May): AU Watch all-day and all-night Street Food and Bar Night Market, where you will find a variety of African dishes prepared by some of West Africa’s leading chefs serving a delicious array of regional gourmet, street food dishes alongside a premium bar and specialist cocktail bar with craft beers, cider, exclusive urban cocktails, spirits, shots, wines, prosecco and champagne, plus live musicians and seating areas. This unique and exhilarating atmosphere has been enjoyed by hundreds of people since our launch a year ago.

The objective of Banjul Street Food Fest is to provide diners and visitors with inspiration and experience that will live with them for a long time. Beyond the food, this year an open-air cinema will offer something for everyone, from family favourites and traditional African classics. Live Gambian and Senegalese music will be on show throughout.

What can you offer to make this 2020Food Expo exceed our expectations? Do you have any special skills, knowledge and experience to offer Banjulians? Call Hafisatou on +220 989820 or email her on [email protected]

Interested in taking part as a sponsor, collaborator or volunteer? Contact [email protected]

History of Africa Day

After the World War II, the process of decolonisation of the African continent gathered momentum as Africans increasingly agitated for more political rights and independence. While in other parts of the continent colonial powers reluctantly and grudgingly relinquished power, in other parts African people launched protracted struggles against the recalcitrant colonial regimes. Thus, between 1945 and 1965 a significant number of African countries gained independence from European colonial powers. Ghana became the first African country south of the Sahara to gain independence on 6 March 1957. Its independence served an inspiration to other African countries struggling against colonial rule and as a result Ghana occupied a central role in the struggle against colonial rule.

Just over a year after its independence Ghana under the leadership Kwame Nkrumah convened the first Conference of Independent African States on 15 April 1958. Amongst those countries that attended were Ghana, Ethiopia, Sudan, Liberia, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia amongst others. There were also representatives of the National Liberation Front of Algeria andthe Union of Cameroonian Peoples. It is worth noting that there were only eight African countries who were independent at this time. The conference was an unequivocal assertion of Africa’s rejection of colonial and imperialist domination of the continent. It became the first Pan African conference to be held on the continent bringing together various African countries. Furthermore, the conference became a collective platform from which African countries sought to cooperate in the struggle against colonialism.

To further encourage and forge a common goal of fighting against colonial rule, the conference called for the observance of African Freedom Day once a year, to mark “the onward progress of the liberation movement, and to symbolize the determination of the People of Africa to free themselves from foreign domination and exploitation.” Consequently, 15 April was enacted as called it African Freedom Day (or Africa Liberation Day), and this marked the beginning of what would later be known as Africa Day.