East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 17th September, 2018:The East African Community Secretariat has launched Gender Policy that seeks an inclusive Community which guarantees equal rights and opportunities for women and men, boys and girls.
The EAC Gender Policy, which was launched at the EAC Headquarters, in Arusha, Tanzania has been developed to provide guidance on institutionalizing gender strategies in the EAC integration process in addition to ensuring that the rights of women and men, boys and girls are promoted, protected and realised on an equal basis.
The policy further aims at strengthening the mainstreaming of gender concerns in the planning and budgetary processes of all sectors in the EAC Organs, Institutions and Partner States.
Speaking at the opening session, on behalf of the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon Christophe Bazivamo, the Director of Social Sectors at the EAC Secretariat, Ms. Mary Makoffu, said that the Gender Policy was developed out of the recognition that there still disparities among men and women in various spheres of life.
“For example, despite various accomplishments by Partner States in educating the girl child, and possessing various skills by women and girls, there was poor representation of women in the employment sector and more so in political representation,” said Director Makoffu.
Ms. Makoffu informed the participants at the launch that there was still misleading data and contradictions between targeted programme interventions and those incorporating gender perspectives across different sectors.
“This lack of accountability delays progress in advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women, girls and other marginalised groups,’’ she said.Ms. Makoffu said that Gender Equality was a key principle of the EAC integration process.
She said that under Article 6 (d) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC, Partner States committed to adhere to the principles of democracy, the rule of law, accountability, transparency, social justice, equal opportunities, gender equality, as well as recognition, promotion and protection of human and people’s rights.
Oh his part, Hon. Abdikadir Aden, Chairperson of the General Purpose Committee at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) informed the participants that in a bid to contribute to the quest for Gender Equality, EALA passed the EAC Gender Equality and Equity Bill, 2017 on Women’s Day of 2017 in Kigali, Rwanda.
Hon. Aden said it was expected that the Bill, when fully assented to, would give an unprecedented boost to the observance and practice of gender equality in the region.“I am informed that the training that has been organized to provide relevant knowledge, skills and values that will allow participants to contribute effectively in the implementation of the EAC Gender policy and all efforts at mainstreaming Gender in their respective organizations and in the Partner States,” said the legislator.
He congratulate the EAC Secretariat for this great stride of launching the policy and called for all the EAC Organs and Institutions to practice, encourage and advocate for Gender Equality.
Dr. Kirsten Focken, the GIZ Programme Manager, underscored the importance of the EAC Gender Policy as an instrument saying that it would bridge the gender income inequality gap that has existed for over two decades within the EAC region.
Dr. Focken, who was represented by Joyce Kimaro, Senior Adviser at the GIZ called for joint research among stakeholders on laws and regulatory environments which facilitate or hinder gender equality and women’s economic participation, and develop specific activities or interventions to remove the barriers in the region.
Notes to Editors
In 2012, the EAC Secretariat with support from the Society for International Development (SID) and the Eastern African Sub-Regional Support Initiative for the Advancement of Women (EASSI) commenced the process of developing the Policy. This was in compliance with the directive of the 25th Meeting of the Council of Ministers (EAC/CM25/Dir25) of August 2012 where the Council directed the Secretariat to develop policies on Gender Equality, Youth, Children, Social Protection and Community Development.
The EAC Gender Policy is anchored in Article 6 (d) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC where Partner States committed to adhere to the principles of democracy, the rule of law, accountability, transparency, social justice, equal opportunities, gender equality, as well as recognition, promotion and protection of human and people’s rights in accordance with the provisions of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights of 1986.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 13th September, 2018:The East African Community Secretariat will launch a Gender Policy that seeks an inclusive community which guarantees equal rights and opportunities for women and men, boys and girls. The launch of the EAC Gender Policy is scheduled to take place on 17th September, 2018 at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The EAC Gender Policy is anchored in Article 6 (d) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC where Partner States committed to adhere to the principles of democracy, the rule of law, accountability, transparency, social justice, equal opportunities, gender equality, as well as recognition, promotion and protection of human and people’s rights in accordance with the provisions of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights of 1986.
The EAC Gender Policy has been developed to provide guidance on institutionalizing gender strategies in the EAC integration agenda in order to ensure that the rights of women and men, boys and girls are promoted, protected and realized on an equal basis.
The policy further aims at strengthening the mainstreaming of gender concerns in the planning and budgetary processes of all sectors in the EAC Organs, Institutions and Partner States
The launch will be followed by the regional training of trainers on the EAC Gender Policy and Gender mainstreaming to the staff in the EAC Organs, Institutions and Partner State Ministries for effective policy implementation with a lens of gender equality.
The training is based on the recommendation of the Participatory EAC Gender Audit conducted in 2013 that emphasizes the review of the current Training Strategy/Program at the Secretariat to enhance gender mainstreaming capacities for the EAC Staff.
The expected outcome of the training will be to increased knowledge, skills and level of awareness among the participants; Clear recommendations for EAC Organs, Institutions and Partner States on Gender mainstreaming adopted and implemented, and; changes in work practices within the EAC Secretariat, Organs and Institutions among other.
Notes to Editors
The development of the EAC Gender Policy was in compliance with the directive of the 25th Meeting of the Council of Ministers (EAC/CM25/Dir25) of August 2012 whereby the Council directed the Secretariat to develop policies on Gender Equality, Youth, Children, Social Protection and Community Development.
The EAC Gender Policy has been developed to provide guidance on institutionalizing gender strategies in the EAC integration agenda in order to ensure that the rights of women and men, boys and girls are promoted, protected and realized on an equal basis.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 7th September, 2018: Millions of East African women will be left behind if Kiswahili is not included in the languages to be used by the 50 Million African Women Speak Networking Platform.
This was one of the concerns raised by the different stakeholders, during consultative meetings that the EAC Secretariat conducted with various stakeholders in Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania. The consultative meetings were concluded on Thursday, 6th September, 2018 where a 2 day visit allowed the EAC Secretariat to meet with the different stakeholders to the 50 Million Women Speak (50 MWS) Project.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 8th August, 2018: A four-day workshop bringing together implementing agencies of the 50 Million African Women Speak (50MWS) project, a software developing firm and representatives of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the project financiers, is currently underway in Lusaka, Zambia.
The 50MWS Project is being implemented by three different Regional Economic Communities (RECs), namely the East African Community (EAC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern (COMESA), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
COMESA, which is coordinating the 50MWS Project, recently hired Izertis, a Spanish consulting firm to develop the 50MWS platform and the main objective of this workshop is for the implementers to clarify the scope of the platform and provide design inputs to the consulting firm.
The 50MWS Project aims at contributing to the economic empowerment of women through the provision of networking platforms to access information on financial and non-financial services so that they can start, grow or scale up their businesses.
At the opening of the workshop, Ambassador Dr. Kipyego Cheluget, COMESA Assistant Secretary General, assured the AfDB that the 50MWS project will be implemented for the benefits of all women.
Amb. Cheluget said that the different implementing RECs had held consultative meetings with their stakeholders to gather their views on how they want the project to be implemented.
‘’This is an opportunity for us to utilise the feedback from our partners,’’ Ambassador Kipyego said.
“This project comes when RECs are moving towards Digital Economic Integration, towards the full adoption of digital technologies with the objective of establishing seamless processes across the RECs Partner States to enable ease of doing business/trade and to enhance regional integration using ICT as a tool,” Amb. Kipyego added.
Amb. Kipyego urged the participants to volunteer ideas that would assist the consulting firm to create user-friendly platforms that could easily be accessed by women entrepreneurs.
The COMESA official suggested that the ideal platform should have unique features differentiating it from other multiple social media platforms that were already in existence.
Ms. Mary Makoffu, EAC Director of Social Sectors and head of the EAC delegation to the workshop, said in her opening remarks that the project was being implemented at a time when the EAC Partners States were rolling out instruments of Digital Trade to minimize physical barriers to trade in the reion.
Ms. Makoffu said that the 50MWS project would complement ongoing efforts to enhance the EAC economic integration agenda.
David Sabiti, COMESA 50 MWS Coordinator, expressed hope that women entrepreneurs would start using the platform six months after the Lusaka workshop.
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For more information please contact: Achel Bayisenge, Content Manager for the 50MWS Project Tel: +255 786726230; Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 17th July, 2018: Supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the East African Community Secretariat has conducted stakeholders’ consultative meetings in Partner States from June 19 to July 10, 2018. The main objective of the meetings was to introduce the 50 Million African Women Speak Networking Platform Project (50MWS) to stakeholders.
EAC Secretariat delegation targeted key Ministries partners to the project, including the Ministries of Gender, ICT, Trade and Ministries in charge of EAC Affairs in each Member State. EAC delegation also met stakeholders from Civil Society, NGOs and UN Agencies.
“50MWS is an online platform that will provide financial and non-financial information to women entrepreneurs for them to interact and grow their businesses’,” Mary Makoffu, the EAC Director of Social Sectors and head of the EAC delegation explained.
“We have already existing platforms of women in business across EAC and we want to partner with them and build on the existing structures to better deliver on this project,” Ms. Makoffu said.
50MWS is being implemented in three different economic regions (RECs) including EAC, COMESA and ECOWAS. This is a good opportunity for women in business in respective RECs to penetrate markets of other RECs, EAC head of delegation considers.
After the consultation meetings the EAC Secretariat wants to continue and work with Member States to form country teams that will help in collection of information to upload into the platform. The Ministry of Gender in each country will be in charge of coordination.
Partners from all member states met, said to be excited and promised to give a full support to this innovative project.
A lot is being done by Member States to promote women’s economic empowerment despite some challenges; Gender Ministries’ representatives in each Partner States explained.
Governments have started disbursing funds to support women’s economic activities; initiatives which are currently contributing to increased employment, women’s capacity and resources power.
Youth enterprises are also being supported by Government’s funds to build youth’s capacity and reduce unemployment; Gender Ministries’ representatives continued.
All stakeholders met are confident that the contribution of the 50MWS Project on the top of already existing efforts; will contribute to reduce to zero gender inequalities that were observed across the countries.
Meeting attendants expressed some concerns that can prevent the project from achieving its goal; those include the weak smart phone penetration in most of EAC countries and the sustainability of the Project.
The EAC Secretariat finds these concerns relevant but assured them that EAC has developed a communications Strategy to make sure that even the women using the feature phones in the rural areas are reached by information circulated by the platform.
On the concern of sustainability, Wilson Muyenzi, the 50MWS Project Coordinator says that COMESA, the Project coordinating REC, is commissioning soon studies, to come up with mechanisms of sustainability.
Partner States sincerely thanked EAC Secretariat for this initiative and reiterated again countries’ commitment to support the project.
“Once our women will be economically empowered, the capacity of our countries will be doubled, and economic development will be a reality,’’ Mary Makoffu, EAC Director of Social Sectors constantly explained to Stakeholders met.
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For more information, please contact:
Achel Bayisenge Content Manager 50 Million African Women Speak, Networking Platform Project EAC Secretariat Mobile: +255786726230 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 10th May, 2018:
The East African Community and the International Labour Organization Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at improving the work environment in East Africa.
The MoU which was signed at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania by EAC Secretary General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko and Mr. Wellington Chibebe, the Director of the ILO Country Office in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania will, among other things, address issues such as youth employment, extension of social security, and Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women at the work place.
The MoU is a follow up to another one that was signed between the two organisations in 2001. The 2002 MoU enabled the EAC and ILO to develop and launch a five-year East African Decent Work Programme (2010-2015).
Amb. Mfumukeko said that the revised MoU provides for the development of a framework for the harmonisation of the EAC Partner States’ policies on social security in line with the ILO Convention on Social Security (Minimum Standards) No. 102 of 1952.
“The MoU further provides for the expansion of micro, small and medium enterprises for employment creation. Also included is the development of an EAC labour migration policy as one of the facilitators of labour mobility in the Community,” said the SG.
Amb. Mfumukeko said the Community was striving to address youth unemployment as a matter of priority, adding that having well educated but unemployed youth out of work was a time bomb.
He disclosed that EAC Partner States were addressing the issue by seeking to make agriculture as an attractive income generating venture for the youth.
Noting that matters of Entry/Work Permit/Residence Permit have an impact on the immigration function in the Partner States, the EAC Secretariat would convene a joint meeting of the Chiefs of Immigration and Directors of Labour before June 2018to finalize the harmonization of Entry/Work/Residence permits.
A meeting of technical officers from EAC and ILO held from 30th April to 2nd May, 2018 agreed to enhance collaboration in the implementation of a two-year project towards the extension of social security benefits to migrant workers in the EAC.
In his remarks, ILO Country Director Wellington Chibebe said that his organisation would work with the EAC to accelerate regional integration and at the same time ensure that the drivers of integration, that is the free movement of labour, goods and services enhance livelihoods of the millions of working women and men and their families.
“We welcome the signing of this new Memorandum of Understanding, which will be based firmly on a new DWP for East Africa, addressing strategically prioritized areas agreed upon by the ILO on one side and the EAC and the East African social partner organisations on the other side,” said Mr. Chibebe.
Mr. Chibebe said that giving financial assistance to the needy instead of equipping them with vocational skills was akin to creating culture of perpetual dependency.
Also represented at the two day forum were the East African Trade Unions Confederation (EATUC) and the East African Employers Organisation (EAEO).
Notes to Editors:
EAC and ILO signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 18th January, 2001 in which both parties agreed to consult each other with respect to planning and execution of programmes. The programmes include: pursuit of policies and of employment aimed at creating an environment for the development of the private sector and employment; facilitate labour mobility; harmonisation of labour legislation; promotion of fair labour practices through social dialogue and observance of fundamental principles and rights at work; social security and productivity improvement.
In 2010, the EAC and ILO developed and launched a five year East African Decent Work Programme (EA-DWP 2010-2015) which focused on three areas:
(i) Youth employment by creating a conducive policy environment for the youth and the self-employed, skills improvement and supporting entrepreneurship activities;
(ii) The extension of social security through the development of an EAC model social protection and protection of social security rights of migrant workers, and;
(iii) The enhancement of capacity for social dialogue and building technical capacity for EAC Trade Union Confederation and affiliated national apex bodies on collective bargaining and negotiation skills.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
…..theme: “Press for Progress’; Planet 50-50 by 2030
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 6th March, 2018: The East African Community will join the rest of the world in marking the 2018 International Women's Day on 8th March , 2018. The event will take place at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The International Women’s Day is held annually on March 8 to celebrate women’s achievements throughout history and across nations. It is also known as the United Nations (UN) Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace. The UN drew global attention to women's concerns in 1975 by calling for an International Women's Year.
The International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on the progress made in women’s rights, to call for change, and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of women’s rights. The theme for the International Women’s Day 2018 is Press for Progress; Planet 50-50 by 2030.
As provided for in Articles 121 and 122 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC, Partner States have undertaken various efforts to enhance the Role of Women in Business and Socio-Economic Development.
The EAC Partner States recognise that women make a significant contribution towards the process of economic transformation and sustainable growth and that it is impossible to implement effective programmes for the economic and social development of the Partner States without the full participation of women.
To this end, the EAC has put the inclusion of women and girls at the centre of development programmes with Partner States ensuring affirmative action, constitutional and legal reforms, development of national gender policies; institutional mechanisms for implementation and accountability; economic empowerment measures, and sector-specific policies.
The EAC Secretariat is therefore committed to have a Community where women can participate as equal partners, decision makers, and beneficiaries in the development of their societies.
To mark International Women’s Day on 8th March, 2018, the EAC Secretariat has organized special events to celebrate the International Women’s Day as follows;
Events:
Together with the Arusha City Council, Women's Organizations, partners at the regional level, Staff of the EAC Secretariat and other guests, the EAC Secretary General, Amb Liberat Mfumukeko will lead all women and men in a ‘walk for gender equality’
Visit to Mount Meru Hospital to donate a package of materials in maternity ward and discuss with the administration the progress made so far since EAC visit to the hospital in 2014.
Celebrations at the EAC Headquarters:
This will feature talks and presentations:
A panel session on: Agriculture Sector: Jacqueline Mkindi from Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA); Finance- Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB); Tourism- Lady Tour Guides; Mining- Women in Mining
By Women Leaders in the EAC – Topic: ‘Press for Progress’
On progress made to achieve Gender parity in the EAC by 2030
Presentations from the IIDEA projects that focus on women and with success stories
Moderated interactive session
Some other initiatives that show tremendous progress
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 8th December, 2017:
A delegation from the African Union of the Deaf (AUD) and the Africa Disability Alliance (ADA) on Thursday made a fact-finding tour of the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The purpose of the tour was to sensitize the EAC Secretariat on the mandate of AUD and ADA, in addition to learning familiarization about the EAC’s Social policy and disability legislative frameworks.
This corporate institutions awareness was further intended to enlighten AUD and ADA on the process of the Africa Disability Protocol (ADP) in order to seek support for its ratification.
The AUD Delegation was headed by its President, Hon. Alex Ndeezi, who is also a Ugandan MP, while ADA which is based in South Africa, was led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Andrew. K. Dube.
Hon. Ndeezi commended the EAC Secretariat and the East African Legislative Assembly for the efforts they have made towards mainstreaming and advocating for issues pertaining to People with Disabilities (PWDs).
Hon. Ndeezi said AUD was looking forward to supporting EAC’s initiatives PWDs at a technical or financial level in the near future and promised further engagements in various fora to push the PWDs mainstreaming agenda both at the regional, continental and international level. Hon. Ndeezi described the EAC as the leading regional bloc in Africa that has implemented a number of advocacy initiatives and policies touching on PWDs.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of the EAC Secretary was the Principal Gender and Community Development Officer, Ms. Generose Minani, assured them that the EAC would work closely with them in advocating for the welfare of PWDs.
Ms. Minani disclosed that EAC Partners States have put in place policies to mainstream disability concerns at both the national and regional level.
“The EAC recognizes the need to empower Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in line the provisions of Article 120(c) of the Treaty that calls upon Partner States to co-operate amongst themselves in the field of social welfare with respect to, among others, the development and adoption of a common approach towards disadvantaged and marginalized groups, including children, the youth, the elderly and persons with disabilities through rehabilitation and provision of, among others, foster homes, healthcare, education and training,” she said.
“Other milestones that have been realized within the PWDs docket include the EAC Policy on PWDs which was adopted in March 2012. The policy is a yardstick to inform other policies, programmes and sectoral plans among the EAC Partner States. The EAC policy on PWDs therefore aims at the provision of an enabling environment by Partner States for the empowerment of PWDs to facilitate their effective participation in and their eventual benefit from development initiatives,” added Ms. Minani.
NOTE TO EDITORS
The African Union of the Deaf (AUD) is a continental organization, which was established to serve as an umbrella organization of the Deaf on the African Continent. Deaf African activists who attended the African Disability Consultative Workshop in South Africa in 2003 founded AUD.
AUD works with regional and international organizations like the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), the Africa Disability Forum (ADF) and ADA as cooperating partners to address deafness and disability rights issues continentally and internationally. Through this effective partnership with Continental Disability Peoples Organizations, AUD works with the AU in which it is seeking observer status as well as consultative status within AU appointed bodies and agencies concerned with disability issues.
AUD advocates for the interests of member organizations on the African continent. The first Constitution was approved in Tanzania on 10 May 2014. AUD has been legally registered in Uganda and currently hosted by Uganda National Association of the Deaf (UNAD) in Kiwanga-Mukono. Its mission is to strive for equality, empowerment and full participation in society of Deaf people in the continent of Africa.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The East Africa Youth Leadership Summit is set to be held from 27th November to 1st December, 2017 at the Training Center for Development Cooperation (MS-TCDC) Campus in Usa River and at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
Themed Unlocking Youth Leadership Potential: Youth at the Centre of the East African Integration, the Summit is being organized by the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with MS TCDC.
The Summit, abbreviated as YouLead, has been organized in line with the provisions of the EAC Youth Policy (2016) Priority 14 which mandates the EAC Secretariat to build networks and partnerships and particularly to “institute an annual youth leaders’ forum with the EAC Secretary General as a regional platform for youth engagement with the EAC leadership.”
The objectives of the East African Youth Leadership Summit include; facilitating a step-by-step appreciation of the current opportunities within and beyond the region; challenging young people to think and act beyond conventional takes, and; creating an opportunity to deepen the partnership and cooperation among youth from participating sectors/countries.
Other objectives are to: encourage youth to develop sustainable projects by rolling regional and global issues, and; to nourish constructive exchange of ideas and good practices, hands-on skills development among the youth in the region.
The Summit will feature myriad stakeholders including youth leaders from business, government and civil society sector, policy-makers, thought-provoking academics, daring social entrepreneurs, media people, CEOs, civil society advocates, and other inspirational practitioners.
Participants will range between 15 and 35 years of age with at least 30 representatives from each EAC Partner State. To attain the ultimate goal, but at the same time maintain the youthful aspect, there will be a series of activities and break-out sessions including: workshops, group discussions, dialogues, symposiums, presentations, and formal and informal chats. All the activities will be tailored to ensure maximum interactions among participants.
Partner States’ Ministries responsible for Youth and EAC Affairs, National Youth Councils, Youth Networks, institutions of higher learning and all stakeholders and champions of Youth are expected to fully and actively mobilize participation in the Summit.
Notes to Editors
As of 2014 and 2016, MS Training Center for Development Cooperation (MS TCDC) hosted two remarkable programmes: Youth Governance Festival (YGF14) and the Regional Youth Seminar (RYS16) respectively. The YGF14 aimed at propelling the urgency to involve youth in critical decision-making processes and stimulate their consciousness to proactively integrate their contributions into ongoing governance and development processes at the EAC level.
On the other hand, RYS16 aimed at bringing together youth and youth representatives who took part in the YGF to showcase their works, evaluate progress on the steps taken since the festival, and share their perspectives on addressing the Leadership challenges facing the region. Both programmes managed to attract more than 400 youth from the East African region and beyond.
The programmes are premised on the cognizance that East Africa is one of the sub-regions in Africa in which an estimated 60% percent of the population are youth, described in the EAC Youth Policy as those aged between 15 and 35 years old. The programmes further recognise that as the EAC integration widens and deepens, there is a growing need to bring the youth, present and future leaders, on board to engage with them on issues pertinent to regional integration.
In recognizing that youth are a crucial asset and an important key resource in social economic and political development of the community, MS TCDC in partnership with the EAC Secretariat are undertaking various initiatives to promote continuous dialogue among the youth and incite their interest in advocating for regional integration.
With the previous experience and consultations made from our stakeholders, and in an effort to implement the EAC Youth Policy (2016) priority 14 which calls on the EAC Secretariat to build networks and partnerships, the organizing team has decided to merge the two programmes and come up with one programme – The East Africa Youth Leadership Summit shortly known as “YouLead”. This program, in line to the previous ones, aims at continuing with the efforts of inspiring and challenging young people to play their role in changing their societies for better.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Secretariat; Arusha, Tanzania; 23 June 2017:
The Incubator for Integration and Development in East Africa (IIDEA) developed as a joint initiative between the EAC Secretariat, Regional Dialogue Committee (RDC), and GIZ was launched on Thursday, 22nd June, 2017, by Uganda’s 2nd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of EAC Affairs and the Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, Hon. Dr. Ali Kirunda Kivenjija, at the commencement of the 5th Annual Secretary General's Forum for Private Sector, Civil Society and other Interest Groups, in Bujumbura, Burundi.
Speaking during the launch event, Hon. Kivenjija said through the IIDEA project, the EAC is not only very proud to support private sector, civil society and other interest groups in East Africa, who are the region’s most committed partners in integration, but also to be able to provide tangible opportunities for citizens to enable them support, own and champion the integration agenda.
"We believe doing this will not only bridge the gap between East African Citizens and the EAC, but also strengthen the integration process.”
He informed the participants that since the commencement of IIDEA’s activities in April 2016, a total of sixteen projects have been approved by the IIDEA Committee for support. “Two projects have been successfully completed, fourteen are currently under implementation and all are producing promising results”, asserted the Chairperson of the EAC Council.
“In addition, IIDEA pioneering projects focus on issues ranging from technological innovation, gender empowerment, cross border trade, SMEs promotion and development, market access and information, youth skills enhancement and employment, saving for healthcare, art incubation, cultural integration among others”, stated Hon.Kivenjija.
The Chairperson of the Council commended Regional Dialogue Committee (RDC), IIDEA Committee and GIZ for their contributions towards making the EAC integration more than just empty words. "We applaud you and ask that you continue with the good work.”
Addressing the participants of the forum earlier during the official opening of the 5th SG’s Forum, Burundi’s Minister to the Office of the President responsible for East African Community Affairs, Hon. Isabelle Ndahayo said the 5th Annual Forum was first and foremost organized in the spirit of widening and deepening the EAC integration process.
“As a matter of fact, the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community and especially Article 7 paragraph 1 (a) stipulates that the principles that shall govern the practical achievements of the objectives of the Community shall include people-centred and market driven cooperation”, added the Minister.
“I have no doubt that the themes and sub-themes developed in this 5th Annual Secretary General’s Forum are going to emphasize the involvement of the citizenry and its implementation in the context of multi-stakeholder partnerships.”
She reiterated the commitment of the Government of Burundi to the involvement of Private Sector Organizations (PSO), Civil Society Organizations (CSO) and other Interest Groups in the integration process by establishing a National Dialogue Committee in accordance with the directive of the Council of Ministers.
On his part, the EAC Secretary General, Amb Libérat Mfumukeko informed the participants that Article 127 (4) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC specifically provides for an Annual Forum convened by the Secretary General of the East African Community that brings together the Parties to the Dialogue to discuss issues of mutual interest and engagement through sector specific fora.
He disclosed that the Civil Society Organizations has been fulfilling the principal of a people-centered Community by playing a major role in the implementation of the 4th EAC Development Strategy (2012/2016) and also advocacy for the extended Jurisdiction of East African Court of Justice (EACJ).
“Through their engagement in the integration process we have witnessed the negotiation and conclusion of Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) by professionals in the following areas; Accountants, Engineers, Architects; Veterinary Surgeons; the Land Surveyors and Advocates in East Africa, harmonization of education curricular with draft structures and frameworks leading to the harmonization of the EAC curricula developed and harmonized Draft Rules and Regulations guiding the conduct of Examinations in EAC Education institutions have been developed,” added the Secretary General.
Amb. Mfumukeko also highlighted the role of Private Sector in fulfilling the market driven principle of the Treaty by implementing the commitments enshrined within the EAC Customs Union and Common Market Protocols by improving the business and economic environment through evidence-based policy advocacy in the areas of harmonization of trade facilitation and regulatory framework, harmonization of product standards, advocating for free movement of the factors of production, as well as addressing trade barriers faced by women-owned businesses and Micro, Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The Vice President of the East African Law Society, Ms. Anne Abeja said the biggest concern for any organization should be when their most passionate people become quiet. ‘’Let us, as participants and stakeholders of the SG’s Forum, not become quiet on matters of regional Integration‘’. We are here representing the people of East Africa, I believe we are passionate, that is why we are here to begin with, we therefore owe it to us all, to not just be heard but to be seen and felt as well in matters of Regional Integration and in implementing agreed recommendations”, affirmed Ms. Abeja.
- ENDS -
Notes to Editor:
EAC has been implementing the Consultative Dialogue Framework since December 2012 after its adoption by the 26th Meeting of the Council of Ministers. The Consultative Dialogue Framework provides for a structured dialogue between the East African Community, Private Sector Organizations, Civil Society Organizations and other Interest Groups and is guided by the principles enshrined in the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC (Articles 127, 128 and 129). The EAC Secretariat is organizing the SG’s Forum with support from GIZ.
For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
