First EAC dialogue on political integration set for Kampala
KAMPALA, Uganda, November 12, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ — East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, 12 November 2011: The EAC Secretariat has convened the First Dialogue on Political Integration to run 17-18 November 2011 in Kampala, Uganda.
The major objective of this Dialogue is to brainstorm, promote and advocate inclusiveness and participation of a wide range of East Africans and to enhance political will towards the EAC’s political integration, according to Deputy Secretary General (Political Federation), Hon. Beatrice Kiraso.
“This is an outreach activity that seeks to popularize and inform East Africans about the status of political integration, the progress and challenges thereof and to involve many stakeholders on charting the way ahead,” says Hon Kiraso.
The Dialogue’s theme is: “Enhancing Representation/Inclusiveness in Promoting EAC Integration” and key topics to be discussed include the impact of national politics on the EAC integration process, which will be presented by the immediate former Secretary General of EAC, Ambassador Juma Mwapachu.
Hon. Kiraso says the Dialogue will be a regular activity in all Partner States and topics will be based on studies commissioned to research on various topical political integration issues.
The first series of EAC occasional papers were launched in July in Arusha, Tanzania, namely: Participation of Political Parties in East Africa Integration Process; Representation in East African Integration Process and; A Comparative Study on the Structures and Functioning of Federations. Four more studies were recently commissioned.
After the Dialogue, there will be a round-table discussion with a number of development partners interested in collaborating with the EAC in promoting political integration and good governance. Good governance has been identified as key in laying a firm foundation for political federation.
“At the coming Summit on November 30 the Heads of State are expected to give guidance on the roadmap towards political federation,” adds Hon. Kiraso.
The event will be attended by, among others, representatives of private sector, academia, youth, media, integration experts, religious organizations and politicians. It has been convened with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Office.
SOURCE
East African Community Secretariat (EAC)
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