In the morning of the second day of the EU-Africa Summit representatives from the side-events got the opportunity to present their views to the Heads of States and Governments. Civil Society Organisations, Youth, Trade Unions and the Private Sector got three minutes respectively. Alpha Omar Konaré, president of the African Commission expressed that he was very happy with the fact that there were ‘many voices’ of civil representation – entrepreneurs, the youth and various associations – that are involved in the partnership between the two continents and ready to collaborate so that this cooperation between Europe and Africa can develop in a positive way for all parties. He also quoted the Civil Society Declaration, mentioning the lack of power equilibrium between both Continents.
Civil Society Organisations
Civil Society was represented by Fátima Proença, president of the Portuguese NGDO Platform, and Taoufik Ben Abdallah, from ENDA (Environmental Development Action in the Third World), where the latter read the declaration. Their presentation was agreed upon by African and European civil society representatives at a Civil Society Forum in November and focused on the principles on which the new relation must be based, especially mutual accountability and trust.
- Any future partnership must be rooted in mutual learning and respect, on an honest political dialogue and on the recognition that Human Rights are universal. Governance must be a political demand for the democracy-building process in both Continents.
- Trust is built upon a common understanding and respect of each other. It is permanently built and strengthened through the implementation of coherent and solidarity policies and the delivery of concrete outcomes.
The Portuguese NGDO reports that the participation at the Summit was quite successful. On his final declarations, the Chair of the African Union Commission, Alpha Konare, aside from making clear that the Civil Society participation on the Summit was very important, quoted the Declaration, mentioning the lack of power equilibrium between both Continents.
Declaration as read at summit – doc
Youth
The president of the European Youth Forum, Bettina Schwarzmayr, represented the youth, together with Mandela Kampere from the Pan-African Youth Union. The Africa-Europe Youth Summit took place in Lisbon just before the Summit of Heads of States and Governments, it adopted the declaration that was presented at the summit, which included the following points:
- The commitment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals must be bolstered as they provide a framework for development and poverty eradication, especially in Africa
- Human rights are universal and we urge governments to guarantee political rights as well as cultural, social and economical rights for all.
- a meaningful EU-Africa Partnership should be based on a strategic project and programme of action for young people to strengthen our partnership for development.
Declaration from Youth Summit – pdf
Private Sector
The Private Sector was represented by Jorge Rocha de Matos, President of Portuguese Industrial Association – Business Confederation together with Vincent Maphai, President BHP Billiton Africa, and Co-Chairman from the African side of the EU-Africa Business Forum that took place in Lisbon just before the Summit. In the final statement they:
- Emphasise the importance of an enhanced and diversified private sector for a sustainable development and the alleviation of poverty on the African continent.
- Call upon the governments on both continents to deepen the involvement of civil society and non state actors in their policy making processes. Private sector representatives can deliver valuable input for subjects like sustainable agriculture, energy, governance and employment.
- Make recommendations on how to promote trade, interconnectivity and entrepreneurship through the Joint Africa-EU Strategy.
Declaration – pdf
Trade Unions
European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) Deputy General Secretary Maria-Helena André addressed the Africa-EU Summit on behalf of the Trade Unions. She presented the declaration adopted at the Africa-EU Trade Union Summit, focusing on the following priorities:
- the crucial importance of decent work, including the setting up or strengthening of social protection systems,
- the promotion of democratic governance for a government of peace and free of corruption,
- the specific recognition of the social partners as actors in economic and social development,
- a common strategy on migration and development that respects human rights.
