THE AGENDA AND THE DECISIONS

THE AGENDA AND THE DECISIONS:

The meeting was run by African Consensus, thus anyone who had anything relevant to say about a topic in discussion was permitted to say it until the discussion had run its course, including addressing all concerns and opposition. The Agenda was straightforward and announced in the letter to the public.

There were five major items to discuss, debate and vote on:

(1) The creation and formation of a North American Region African Diaspora Unity Council,

(2) Official acceptance of the African Union’s definition of the African Diaspora (with an understanding that Pan Africanists in this region must be able to explain the nuances of that definition),

(3) Acceptance of Common Denominator Pan African principles and practices as a basis of unity without uniformity in this region,

(4) Acceptance of the Town Hall method of electing Community Councils of Elders and community AU representatives as an acceptable path to follow to comply with the ECOSOCC Statues and other AU requirements, and

(5) Discussion of the issue of African Diaspora legitimacy viz-a-viz the African Union. Each item was presented to the attendees by a different organizational member of the African Diaspora, and most of the session was videotaped for future reference.

Regarding the issue of forming and establishing the North American African Diaspora Unity Council (NAADUC): Number one, membership is by organization and will be based on initial agreement with the three stipulations noted above in the Introduction. Number two, each member organization will have one vote on all issues and this body will vote on policy and practical matters affecting the North American Diaspora, including the USA and Canada (the Virgin Islands is considered part of the USA).

Number three, there will be a rotating chairperson elected by the body whose term will be one year, with the chair for each succeeding year being the Vice Chair-designate elected at the annual meeting, which will be held in Washington, D.C., unless changed by majority vote. Number four, there will be at least bi-monthly digital meetings. Number five, there will be a volunteer Secretariat, whose members will be responsible for meeting coordination, regular communication with and between members of the Unity Council, and record keeping for the body. Number six, other operational items for the NAADUC will be voted upon as needed, including by-laws, national registration status, etc.

Regarding the official acceptance of the AU’s definition of the African Diaspora (and of the AU’s invitation)—no African Diaspora group has yet done this—the issue was well discussed and approved unanimously.

(1) The item was unanimously approved through African Consensus.The North American African Diaspora Unity Council (NAADUC) is now officially in existence.

(2) A volunteer Secretariat of four members, plus a consultant, was recommended and approved. They are Dr. Chenzira Kahina and Neb KaRa Kahina of St. Croix, Virgin Islands; Tafari Melisizwe of HABESHA Youth Organization, Baltimore and Atlanta; Jamal Farr, Pan African Youth Corps, Seattle, WA; and Dr. David L. Horne, consultant.

(3) Organizations that sent in letters of support for forming the NAADUC and proxy votes, were automatically included in the original organization membership.

(4) Organizations that later decide to join the NAADUC will sign and submit letters agreeing to the three stipulations above (i.e., agreement to work towards African unification, etc.), and their applications will be voted on by the original members of NAADUC. A simple majority vote will approve a new application.

(5) The NAADUC expects to represent a part of the African Diaspora at the Diaspora Summit in South Africa, May, 2012.

(1) The NAADUC will go on record in accepting the operational definition by the African Union of the African Diaspora, to wit: “ The African Diaspora consists of (all) peoples of African origin living outside the continent, irrespective of their citizenship and nationality, and who are willing to contribute to the development of the Continent and the building of the African Union.

(2) For purposes of recruitment, clarification and education in North America, and other regions, the NAADUC agrees that its members and others it contacts in the African Diaspora will recognize Africa as the motherland, and the NAADUC will educate all members of the region’s African Diaspora to understand that the current AU operational definition includes both the historical Diaspora and the modern Diaspora.

(3) The NAADUC will send official letters to the AU addressing #A above.

Regarding the issue of acceptance of Pan African common denominator principles and practice in all engagements with the AU and with other Pan African organizations, it was discussed and approved in the following ways:

Principle of Mutual Respect: That mutual respect for colleagues and fellow warriors and reverence and respect for African traditions and heritage will guide our deliberations and work; (APPROVED AS IS)
Principle of Inclusiveness: That the talent, skills, intelligence and creativity needed to increase African capacity and achieve Pan African unification is not and will not be determined by one’s political affiliation/ideology, gender, religion, language, class, or any other prejudice. (APPROVED AS AMENDED)
Principle of Unity Without Uniformity: That African descendants can be unified without uniformity and that forming Pan African partnerships for economic and political networking is necessary for moving forward ; (APPROVED BUT NEEDS RE-WORDING FOR CLARITY)
Principle of Consistency: That Diasporans should work consistently and relentlessly to join and fully participate in the African Union as voting members, bringing all available resources, experience, diplomacy and skills to that effort; (APPROVED AS IS)
Principle of African Democracy: That as members of the African Diaspora, we must work to develop inclusive democratic institutions for implementing the principles and goals of achieving the United States of Africa/Union of African States. (APPROVED WITH FOOTNOTE EXPLAINING AFRICAN DEMOCRACY AS OPPOSED TO MERELY REPRODUCING WESTERN DEMOCRACY OUT OF CONTEXT)
Principle of Equivalent Capacity Building: That the African Diaspora Sixth Region must be developed to a level equivalent to a viable African Regional Economic Community. (APPROVED BUT WITH RE-WORDING FOR MORE CLARITY)
Principle of Accountability (Newly Added): Pan Africanists should be willing to be held accountable for obligations and responsibilities they accept, whether financial, political or otherwise. Pan African leadership is more than a title or leaping out front; it requires integrity, transparency, mutual respect, and being accountable to one’s constituency. (APPROVED IN CONCEPT—BODY MUST LOOK AT HOW IT WAS HANDLED.)
Regarding the implementation of the Town Hall community-based process for electing AU-African Diaspora representatives accountable to the community that elects them, after serious discussion and clarification,there was unanimous approval by African Consensus.

In the discussion, it was explained that the method was in compliance with the Statues of ECOSOCC mandates and that the Town Hall/Community Council of Elders model had been developed, utilized, and validated in North America and elsewhere within the last five years to elect African Diaspora delegates/representatives for the African Union. This method advocates the election of 4 members for ECOSOCC from the USA and 1 member from Canada.

This body also recommended, using the same or a very similar democratic method, that 3 representatives are elected from Central America, 3 from the Caribbean, 4 from South America/Brazil, 4 from Europe and 1 from the Middle East/Asia, totaling 20 in all. That total of 20 is currently designated by the AU. The NAADUC would spearhead getting these Town Halls done through its extensive networks, and it was recommended that Town Hall Talking Points, Recruitment Tips, etc., be sent to all NAADUC member organizations.

Regarding the issue of the legitimacy of the African Diaspora, building the 6th region into a Regional Economic Community trumps that whole discussion. Meanwhile, the NAADUC would address the historical, economic and cultural arguments for this legitimacy in Position Statements, Policy Statements, and a well-documented Vision Statement paper. The NAADUC will also produce a Self-Definition paper for the public. Those were the only decisions made concerning this issue, which was seen as a continuing one.

-Summary Report Submitted by The New NAADUC Secretariat

Dr. ChenziRa D. Kahina-Herishetapaheru,

Neb KaRa Herishetapaheru, Jamal Farr, Tafari Melisizwe, and Consultant Dr. David L. Horne)

THANK YOU TO JOHN TRIMBLE AND BRAD GRANT, AND TO HOWARD UNIVERSITY,

Sample Letters From Those Organizations in Support But Which Could Not Attend:

(1) Friends of Tanzania and Zanzibar International Film Festival

(2) Africa-USA Chamber of Commerce & Pan African Global Trade and Investment Association

(1) TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE KWANZAA AFRICAN DIASPORA UNITY SUMMIT, JANUARY 28, 2012 AT HOWARD UNIVERSITY, WASHINGTON, D.C. :

Dear Colleagues,

Unfortunately, I and my organizations cannot attend this particular gathering. However, I am sending this letter forward to inform all of you participating that the Friends of Tanzania, and a second organization, the Zanzibar Film Festival, as African Diaspora enterprises, fully support and vote for the official establishment and formation of the North American African Diaspora Unity Council. The FOT and the ZFF vote for this formation and requests permission to join as two of the signatory organizations. We will fully participate in all functions of the NAADUC.

The acceptance of the AU’s current definition of the African Diaspora, and we vote to accept the caveats suggested concerning the modern and historical Diaspora and others. We also vote to send our acceptance forthwith to the African Union.

The acceptance of both the Town Hall method as described in the Report from the December 16thAmbassador’s Diaspora Symposium, and the Common Denominator Principles, with whatever editing transpires at the meeting.

The positive collectivization of the African Diaspora so we can move forward now.

Sincerely,

Dr. Ikweba Bunting, Co-Founder

Friends of Tanzania and Executive Director, the Zanibar International Film Festival

(2) TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE KWANZAA AFRICAN DIASPORA UNITY SUMMIT, JANUARY 28, 2012 AT HOWARD UNIVERSITY, WASHINGTON, D.C. :

Dear Colleagues,

Unfortunately, I and my organization cannot attend this particular gathering. However, I am sending this letter forward to inform all of you participating that the Africa-USA Chamber of Commerce, and the Pan African Global Trade and Investment Association entity, two African Diaspora business engines, fully support and vote for the official establishment and formation of the North American African Diaspora Unity Council. The Af-USA Chamber and the PAGTIA vote for this formation and requests permission to join as two of the signatory organizations. We will fully participate in all functions of the NAADUC. Further, we vote for the acceptance of the AU’s current definition of the African Diaspora, and we vote to accept the caveats suggested concerning the modern and historical Diaspora and others. We also vote to send our acceptance forthwith to the African Union.

We fully support the acceptance of both the Town Hall method as described in the Report from the December 16th Ambassador’s Diaspora Symposium, and the Common Denominator Principles, with whatever editing transpires at the meeting. Finally, we fully support the positive collectivization of the African Diaspora so we can move forward now.

Sincerely

Rev. Al Washington, Executive Director

Africa-USA Chamber of Commerce

Pan African Global Trade and Investment Association

FAU Chamber of Commerce

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WEB SITE

CARIBBEAN OAS AFRICAN DIASPORA AFFAIRS on Global African Diaspora Initiative

Handed by Hershel Daniels Junior to Presiding Officer Chilengi on November 21st 2015 at the Global African Diaspora Stakeholders Convention

RECALLING the objectives and principles enshrined in the Constitutive Act of the African Union;

ADDITIONALLY RECALLING the Protocol on Amendments to the Constitutive Act of the African Union adopted by the First Extra-Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in January 2003, and in particular Article 3(q) which invites the African Diaspora to participate as an important component in the building of the African Union;

RECOGNIZING the need to build sustainable partnerships between the African continent and the African Diaspora through sustainable dialogue and effective collaboration with governments and peoples of different regions of the World in which the Diaspora populations are located;

COGNIZANT of the fact that culture and identity inform all facets of development;

ACKNOWLEDGING the need to celebrate and preserve the shared heritage between Africa and peoples of African descent in the Diaspora;

BEARING IN MIND that the African Diaspora represents a historical and evolving experience which calls for an approach that is sensitive to the specificities of the different regions;

AFFIRMING the need to promote South-South Cooperation as a framework for enhancing mutual development as well as Pan-African Solidarity;

REAFFIRMING the importance of women and youth as important pillars of our society that should be mainstreamed in all Diaspora discourses and actions;

LAUDING the efforts undertaken thus far to support Africa and African Diaspora process including organizational efforts, measures and strategies pursued by the African Union;

FURTHER RECALLING relevant African Union Decisions including Decision EX.CL/Dec. 5 (III) on the Development of the Diaspora Initiative adopted by the Third Ordinary Session of the Executive Council in Maputo, Mozambique, in July 2003, Decision EX.CL/Dec. 221 (VII) on the Africa-Diaspora Process adopted by the Eighth Ordinary Session of the Executive Council in January 2006 and Decision EX.CL/Dec. 406 (XII) on the First African Union Diaspora Ministerial Conference adopted by the Twelfth Ordinary Session of the Executive Council in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in January2008 on the modalities for Diaspora participation in the organs and activities of the Union and Decision Ass/AU/Dec.205(XI) adopted by the Eleventh Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, in July 2008 on the Africa Diaspora Summit, Decision, Ass/AU/Dec 354 (XVI) of the Sixteen Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in January 2011 on the Roadmap for the Diaspora Summit, including the convening of a Technical Experts meeting in Pretoria, South Africa in February 2011 and Decision Ass/AU/Dec 367 (XVII) of the Seventeenth Ordinary Session of Assembly of the Union on the convening of a second Ministerial Conference on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2011 as well as Decision Assembly/AU/Dec. 393(XVIII) endorsing the outcome and conclusions of the Second Ministerial Conference held in New York in September 2011.

ACKNOWLEDGE of the importance to the African Diaspora of the establishment of The Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) under the provision of Articles 5 and 22 of the Constitutive Act;

ACKNOWLEDGING ECOSOCC Statutes, adopted by the AU Assembly in July 2004, define it as an advisory organ composed of different social and professional groups of AU Member States (Assembly/AU/Dec.48 (III)). The first ECOSOCC General Assembly was formally launched on 9 September 2008 in Dar es Salaam, UR of Tanzania.

KNOWLEDGABLE of the Structure of ECOSOCC and that under article 4 of the ECOSOCC Statutes, the Council is composed of 150 CSOs: 1 two CSOs from each Member State; 10 CSOs operating at regional level and eight at continental level; 20 CSOs from the African Diaspora, as defined by the Executive Council and covering the continents of the world; and six CSOs, in ex-officio capacity, nominated by the AU Commission and based on special considerations, in consultation with Member States.

UNDERSTANDING that Article 4 also provides for Member State, regional, continental and Diaspora representatives to be elected on the basis of 50 percent gender equality and 50 percent aged between 18 and 35. Members are elected for four-year terms and may be re-elected once.

CONVINCED that popular participation in the activities of the African Union, as enunciated in the African Charter for Popular Participation, is a prerequisite for its success;

GUIDED by the common vision of a united and strong Africa and by the need to build a partnership between governments and all segments of civil society, in particular women, youth, the private sector and the African Diaspora, in order to strengthen solidarity and cohesion among our peoples;

RECALLING the decision of the Assembly to invite and encourage the full participation of the African Diaspora as an important part of the Continent, in the building of the African Union.

CONVINCED of the need to build on these efforts and outcomes as the basis for establishing a solid foundation for the rejuvenation of the global African family as an instrument of wider renaissance;

REALIZING the imperative of a sustained and coordinated approach and ownership of the African Diaspora related programmes and projects so as to promote their effective implementation and impact;

COMMIT to cooperate in the political, economic and social areas outlined in this Report of the Global African Stakeholders Convention and Programme of Action, and implementation and follow-up modalities.

EXPRESSING our appreciation to Head of Secretariat Dr. Jinmi Adisa for his support in holding the Global African Diaspora Stakeholders Convention.

FUTHERMORE RECOGNIZING that the work of adviser on Diaspora Relations Ms Evelyn Joe in carrying out creation of the the Global African Diaspora Stakeholders Convention and recognition of her skills and outstanding quality of advise and her expressed commitment to the integration and development agenda of Africa and the African Union.

THEREBY at this the Global African Diaspora Stakeholders Convention we agree to adopt, develop and report on the implement the five legacy projects as created in South Africa 25 May 2012 at the first African Diaspora Summit as a way of giving practical meaning to the Diaspora programme and in order to facilitate the post-Summit implementation programme. These are: a) the production of a Skills Database of African Professionals in the Diaspora; b) the establishment of the African Diaspora Volunteers Corps; c) the African Diaspora Investment Fund; d) a programme on the Development Marketplace for the Diaspora, as a framework for facilitating innovation and entrepreneurship among African and Diaspora; and e) The African Remittances Institute.

AGREEMENT between the people of the African Diaspora and ECOSOCC in regards to decisions to the five tasks given unto us the people of Africa in the sixth region, as defined by AU document, on this day November 21st 2015, do hereby give this report to the leadership of the African Union.

We have implemented phase I of the task to create the African Diaspora Volunteer Corps at au6.global with the African Civil Society Organizations (CSO). CSO members include but are not limited to:

Social groups such as those representing women, children, youth, the elderly and people with disabilities and special needs

Professional groups such as associations of artists, engineers, health practitioners, social workers, media, teachers, sport associations, legal professionals, social scientists, academia, business organisations, national chambers of commerce, workers, employers, industry and agriculture, as well as other private sector interest groups

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs) and voluntary organisations

Cultural organisations
Social and professional organisations in the African Diaspora (in accordance with the definition approved by the Executive Council of ECOSOCC).

We will create a African Diaspora Skills Database Phase I which will be used in the creation of the African Diaspora Volunteer Corps so as to encourage and support the development of an African Union Diaspora Volunteer programme as a framework for associating the Diaspora directly with the development of the continent and which as of this day is in operation at AU6.global.
We have created this day the framework for a report to be issued by May 25th 2016 on the African Institute of Remittance based on previous actions of the African Diaspora and organs and officials of the African Union since July 16 2012.
We have created this day the framework for a African Investment Fund based on previous actions since July 16 2012 and the business model of the Community Reinvestment Fund which shall serve as a guide in the creation of a global organized with a ownership structure that supports the people of the African Union.
We Africans of the Diaspora acknowledge that under Article 11 of the ECOSOCC Statutes there is established 10 Sectoral Cluster Committees as key operational mechanisms to formulate opinions and provide input into AU policies and programmes. The Committees are: Peace and Security; Political Affairs; Infrastructure and Energy; Social Affairs and Health; Human Resources, Science and Technology; Trade and Industry; Rural Economy and Agriculture; Economic Affairs; Women and Gender; and Cross-Cutting Programmes (such as HIV/AIDS, international cooperation and coordination with other AU institutions and organs).

The ECOSOCC General Assembly may recommend amendments to the established Sectoral Cluster Committees. We will endeavor have implemented preliminary work on the task to create the Development of a marketplace for African development in line with ECOSOCC Statues and shall report back to assembly not later than May 25th 2016 on the basis of the aforementioned 10 Sectoral Cluster Committees .

We do this work so as to encourage the Diaspora to organize our self in a global network and to establish appropriate mechanisms that will enable our increasing participation in the affairs of the African Union as observers and eventually, in the future, as a sixth region of the continent that would contribute substantially to the implementation of policies and programmes.

Acknowledge the responsibility of the African Diaspora to fund and host rotational AU Diaspora Conference in Africa and in the Diaspora to review the implementation of this Programme of Action.

So we sign as CSO’s representatives

COADA

FAU

WADU

NFF

So we sign as Individuals

That work was done by Hershel Daniels Junior and Dr. Leonard Kweku Jeffries late into the night and finished at nearly 2 AM in the morning on November 21st 2015.

We at COADA/FAU then updated this document during the Kwanzaa Accords Review of 2015 to read:

WE, signatures to this document do transmit it this day, December 28th 2015, via the appropriate channels to the Heads of State and Government of the African Union, the Caribbean, the America via the OAS and United States of America.

EXPRESSING our appreciation to His Excellency, President Jacob Zuma, the Government and People of the Republic of South Africa and the African Union for the warm reception and for hosting and conducting the first Global African Diaspora Summit May 25th 2012.

RECALLING the objectives and principles enshrined in the Constitutive Act of the African Union;

ADDITIONALLY RECALLING the Protocol on Amendments to the Constitutive Act of the African Union adopted by the First Extra-Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in January 2003, and in particular Article 3(q) which invites the African Diaspora to participate as an important component in the building of the African Union;

COGNIZANT of the fact that culture and identity inform all facets of development;

ACKNOWLEDGING the need to celebrate and preserve the shared heritage between Africa and peoples of African descent in the Diaspora;

BEARING IN MIND that the African Diaspora represents a historical and evolving experience which calls for an approach that is sensitive to the specificities of the different regions;

AFFIRMING the need to promote South-South Cooperation as a framework for enhancing mutual development as well as Pan-African Solidarity;

REAFFIRMING the importance of women and youth as important pillars of our society that should be mainstreamed in all Diaspora discourses and actions;

LAUDING the efforts undertaken thus far to support Africa and African Diaspora process including organizational efforts, measures and strategies pursued by the African Union;

ACKNOWLEDGE the importance to the African Diaspora of the establishment of The Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) under the provision of Articles 5 and 22 of the Constitutive Act;

ACKNOWLEDGING ECOSOCC Statutes, adopted by the AU Assembly in July 2004, define it as an advisory organ composed of different social and professional groups of AU Member States (Assembly/AU/Dec.48 (III)). The first ECOSOCC General Assembly was formally launched on 9 September 2008 in Dar es Salaam, UR of Tanzania.

KNOWLEDGABLE of the Structure of ECOSOCC and that under article 4 of the ECOSOCC Statutes, the Council is composed of 150 CSOs: 1 two CSOs from each Member State; 10 CSOs operating at regional level and eight at continental level; 20 CSOs from the African Diaspora, as defined by the Executive Council and covering the continents of the world; and six CSOs, in ex-officio capacity, nominated by the AU Commission and based on special considerations, in consultation with Member States.

UNDERSTANDING that Article 4 also provides for Member State, regional, continental and Diaspora representatives to be elected on the basis of 50 percent gender equality and 50 percent aged between 18 and 35. Members are elected for four-year terms and may be re-elected once.

CONVINCED that popular participation in the activities of the African Union, as enunciated in the African Charter for Popular Participation, is a prerequisite for its success;

GUIDED by the common vision of a united and strong Africa and by the need to build a partnership between governments and all segments of civil society, in particular women, youth, the private sector and the African Diaspora, in order to strengthen solidarity and cohesion among our peoples;

RECALLING the decision of the ECOSOC Assembly to invite and encourage the full participation of the African Diaspora as an important part of the Continent, in the building of the African Union.

CONVINCED of the need to build on these efforts and outcomes as the basis for establishing a solid foundation for the rejuvenation of the global African family as an instrument of wider renaissance;

REALIZING the imperative of a sustained and coordinated approach and ownership of the African Diaspora related programmes and projects so as to promote their effective implementation and impact;

COMMIT to cooperate in the political, economic and social areas outlined in this Report of the Global African Stakeholders Convention and Programme of Action, and implementation and follow-up modalities.

PLEASED that at the the inaugural session of the 2nd Permanent General Assembly of ECOSOCC that commenced in Nairobi on 21 December 2014 that the assembly then elected Mr. Joseph Chilengi of the Africa Internally Displaced Persons Voice of Zambia as its Presiding Officer. He was sworn in formally into office on 22nd December 2014 at a ceremony attended by Her Excellency, Ms. Amina Mohammed, the Cabinet Secretary of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Kenya and H.E. Mr. Erastus Mwencha, the Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission.

THANKING for his attendance at the Global African Diaspora Stakeholders Convention ECOSOCC Presiding Officer Joeseph Chilengi.

EXPRESSING our appreciation to Head of Secretariat Dr. Jinmi Adisa for his support in holding the Global African Diaspora Stakeholders Convention.

FUTHERMORE RECOGNIZING that the work of adviser on Diaspora Relations Ms Evelyn Joe in carrying out creation of the the Global African Diaspora Stakeholders Convention and recognition of her skills and outstanding quality of advise and her expressed commitment to the integration and development agenda of Africa and the African Union.

THEREBY at this the Global African Diaspora Stakeholders Convention we agree to adopt, develop and report on the implement the five legacy projects as created in South Africa 25 May 2012 at the first Global African Diaspora Summit as a way of giving practical meaning to the Diaspora programme and in order to facilitate the post-Summit implementation programme. These are: a) the production of a Skills Database of African Professionals in the Diaspora; b) the establishment of the African Diaspora Volunteers Corps; c) the African Diaspora Investment Fund; d) a programme on the Development Marketplace for the Diaspora, as a framework for facilitating innovation and entrepreneurship among African and Diaspora; and e) The African Remittances Institute.

AGREEMENT between the people of the African Diaspora and ECOSOCC in regards to decisions to the five tasks given unto us the people of Africa in the sixth region, as defined by AU document, on this day November 21st 2015, do hereby give this report to the leadership of the African Union.

We have implemented phase I of the task to create the African Diaspora Volunteer Corps at au6.global with the African Civil Society Organizations (CSO). CSO members include but are not limited to:

Social groups such as those representing women, children, youth, the elderly and people with disabilities and special needs
Professional groups such as associations of artists, engineers, health practitioners, social workers, media, teachers, sport associations, legal professionals, social scientists, academia, business organisations, national chambers of commerce, workers, employers, industry and agriculture, as well as other private sector interest groups
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs) and voluntary organisations
Cultural organisations
Social and professional organisations in the African Diaspora (in accordance with the definition approved by the Executive Council of ECOSOCC).

We have created an African Diaspora Skills Database Phase I which is used in the creation of the African Diaspora Volunteer Corps so as to encourage and support the development of an African Union Diaspora Volunteer programme as a framework for associating the Diaspora directly with the development of the continent and which as of this day is in operation at AU6.global.
We have created this day the framework for a report to be issued by May 25th 2016 on the African Institute of Remittance based on previous actions of the African Diaspora and organs and officials of the African Union since July 16 2012.
We have created this day the framework for an African Investment Fund based on previous actions since July 16 2012 and will use the business model of the American Community Reinvestment Fund as a guide in the creation of a global organization with an ownership structure that supports the people of the African Union. Each African country shall own 1% of the African Investment Fund through an in country public private partnership in which that countries African Union qualified civil society shall own at least 30% and the government through a private public partnership shall own up to 30%.
We Africans of the Diaspora acknowledge that under Article 11 of the ECOSOCC Statutes there is established 10 Sectoral Cluster Committees as key operational mechanisms to formulate opinions and provide input into AU policies and programmes. The Committees are: Peace and Security; Political Affairs; Infrastructure and Energy; Social Affairs and Health; Human Resources, Science and Technology; Trade and Industry; Rural Economy and Agriculture; Economic Affairs; Women and Gender; and Cross-Cutting Programmes (such as HIV/AIDS, international cooperation and coordination with other AU institutions and organs). The ECOSOCC General Assembly may recommend amendments to the established Sectoral Cluster Committees. We will establish these operations in an organization which meets all of the requirements of ECOSOCC and will act in accordance with Article 5 Election of Members “African Diaspora organizations shall establish an appropriate process for determining modalities for elections by May 25th 2016 so as to elect twenty (20) CSOs (individuals only represent organizations) to the ECOSOCC General Assembly”.

The elections of the members of ECOSOCC at Member State, regional, continental and Diaspora levels shall ensure fifty percent (50%) gender equality provided that fifty percent (50%) of the representatives of the members shall consist of youths between the ages of 18 to 35

According to Article 6 Eligibility Requirements for Membership (ECOSOCC) The requirements to be fulfilled by CSOs (such as we propose) seeking membership are as follows:

Be national, regional, continental or African Diaspora CSO, without restriction to undertake regional or international activities.
Have objectives and principles that are consistent with the principles and objectives of the Union as set out in Articles 3 and 4 of the Constitutive Act.
Registration and status: a) Be registered in a Member State of the Union and/or; b) Meet the general conditions of eligibility for the granting of Observer Status to non-governmental organizations; c) Show a minimum of three (3) years proof of registration as either an African or an African Diaspora CSO prior to the date of submission of application, including proof of operations for those years.
Provide annual audit statements by an independent auditing company.
Show proof that the ownership and management of the CSO is made up of not less than fifty (50%) of Africans or of African Diaspora.
The basic resources of such an Organization shall substantially, at least fifty percent (50%), be derived from contributions of the members of the Organization. Where external voluntary contributions have been received, their amounts and donors shall be faithfully revealed in the application for membership. Any financial or other support or contribution, direct or indirect, from a government to the Organization shall be declared and fully recorded in the financial records of the Organization
Provide information on funding sources in the preceding three (3) years.
For regional and continental CSO’s show proof of activities that engage or are operative in at least three (3) Member States of the Union.
CSOs that discriminate on the basis of religion, gender, tribe, ethnic, racial or political basis shall be barred from representation to ECOSOCC;

10.Adherence to a Code of Ethics and Conduct for civil society organizations affiliated to or working with the (African) Union.

We will endeavor to have implemented preliminary work on the task to create the Development of a marketplace for African development in line with ECOSOCC Statues and shall report back to assembly not later than May 25th 2016 on the basis of the aforementioned 10 Sectoral Cluster Committees.

Caribbean OAS African Diaspora Operational Principles adopted by the Caribbean OAS African Diaspora Affairs on November 2013.

We support the African Union [AU], it’s constitutive act and the history of the predecessor organization the Organisation of African Unity [OAU].

We support the recognition of the African Diaspora globally and legally by the AU.

We support the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its application to Africans and their condition worldwide.

We support the UN Millennium Development Goals for Africa and the economic-social uplift of Africans on the continent and in the African Diaspora as well work of the African Union in regards to increasing trade between African Nations and will incorporate the work of the International Year for People of African Descent [2011] as it was designated by the UN and Organization of American States.

We support the strategy and agenda of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) and through organization of African American Civil Society we support the legacy projects and continuing efforts to strengthen the Global African Diaspora Initiative of the AU.

We support Peace, Security and basic human dignity within Africa and around the globe, with an emphasis on stopping slavery in the AU and the African Diaspora.

We support the organization of African and peoples of African descent self-interest and uplift through a committee structure and take responsibility for organizing such in the United States of America.

We support the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) of 2000 and by 2014 the creation of a new plan between the United States of America and the African Union that is supportive of the African Diaspora in the USA and would be sustainable not only in Africa but also in the host countries of the African Diaspora.

We support political empowerment of Africans as individual citizens and in free associations on cooperation and solidarity in the continent and in Diaspora.

We support the creation of the African American Diaspora Holding Company & Investment Trust who will start with creating a financial solution in response to the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy through the US Federal Reserve and its banks.

IN ADDITION based on the 1st Global African Diaspora Convention that we will conduct a global tour based on the conversations with Ms. Joe before the first Global Africa Diaspora Convention. The name of this Tour will be the Sons and Daughters of Africa Tour a tour of the people of the African Union Diaspora. It is to be focused on spreading the word of the implementation of the African Union Global Diaspora Summit of 2912 and our joint agenda in Africa 2063.

The Sons and Daughters of Africa Tour is also meant to sensitized the Africans of the African Unions sixth region with the African Union with the organizations and its 50 years plan Agenda 2063. It will give the Diaspora sessions in the shared values that are to be used for an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa driven by her own people. It is also to mark the historic milestone of welcome of the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council to the Diaspora in collaborative efforts to engage stakeholders in opportunities and the development of Africa.

ECOSOCC was established under the provisions of articles 5 and 22 of the AU Constitutive Act. Its Statutes, adopted by the AU Assembly in July 2004, define it as an advisory organ composed of different social and professional groups of AU Member States (Assembly/AU/ Dec.48(III)). ECOSOCC’s mandate includes:

Contributing, through advice, to the effective translation of the AU’s objectives, principles and policies into concrete programmes, as well as evaluating those programmes Undertaking studies and making recommendations Contributing to the promotion and realisation of the AU’s vision and objectives

Contributing to the promotion of human rights, the rule of law, good governance, democratic principles, gender equality and child rights

Promoting and supporting the efforts of institutions engaged in reviewing the future of Africa and forging pan-African values in order to enhance an African social model and way of life Fostering and consolidating partnership between the AU and CSOs Assuming functions referred to it by other AU organs.

Under article 4 of the ECOSOCC Statutes, the Council is composed of 150 CSO’s: two CSOs from each Member State as of 52; 10 CSOs operating at regional level and eight at continental level; 20 CSOs from the African Diaspora, as defined by the Executive Council and covering the continents of the world; and six CSOs, in ex-officio capacity, nominated by the AU Commission and based on special considerations, in consultation with Member States.

Article 4 also provides for Member State, regional, continental and Diaspora representatives to be elected on the basis of 50 percent gender equality and 50 percent aged between 18 and 35.

Members are elected for four-year terms and may be re-elected once.