Africa-Asia NGO network

Please click below to download the Sept. 18th Nairobi workshop press release.

Download Nairobi workshop press release

Press release

September 18, 2007 – There is a need for citizens in Africa and Japan to work closely together and input into the process of achieving human security and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. Therefore, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) organized an “Africa-Asia NGO Network Workshop” in Kenya on September 17th and 18th 2007 at Silver Springs Hotel.

The Nairobi workshop provided a platform to;
・ Support the creation of an Africa-Asian NGO network
・ Strengthen advocacy efforts of African civil society towards TICAD IV
・ Build and strengthen a NGO-JICA network for future formulation of partnership projects in the Africa region
・ Promote TICAD IV to be held between May 28th – 30th, 2008

The outcome of the two day meeting was first and foremost, the creation of an Africa-Asia Civil Society Network. The network aims to be a platform to promote exchange of knowledge, expertise, and experiences across countries and regions; to facilitate collaboration and learning for development.

During the last two days 85 representatives of civil society from across Africa and Asia have exchanged notes on sustainable human development and in particular, economic growth and investment, human security and environment and climate change.

The outputs are draft documents incorporating the voices of civil society for TICAD.
Please see the attached workshop statements
• Joint Solidarity Statement by Asian and African CSOs to our Governments, Development Partners and the International Community, September 18th, 2007
• African Civil Society Communiqué to Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and TICAD Civil Society Forum (TCSF), Government of Japan and the G8, September 17th and 18th 2007 at Silver Springs Hotel, Nairobi Kenya

These voices will be shared with the civil society in Japan in a follow-up meeting to be held in Japan in October 24th – 26th, 2007.

The Tokyo workshop is scheduled for October 24th, 25th and 26th 2007 at JICA Global Plaza in Hiroo. The purpose is to strengthen the network of NGOs in Africa and Asia including Japan.

The Tokyo workshop will provide a platform to;
・ Share the results of the Nairobi workshop and incorporate the ideas of Japanese NGOs on networking and partnership with Africa
・ Provide an opportunity for African NGOs to interact with Japanese civil society
・ Feedback to Africa through videoconferencing the results of the Tokyo workshop
・ Prepare a collective opinion of NGOs in Africa and Asia on Japanese including JICA’s assistance to Africa and towards the 2008 TICAD IV to be held in Japan

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA): http://www.jica.go.jp/english/index.html
Workshop Secretariat: TICAD Civil Society Forum (TCSF), Japan http://www.ticad-csf.net/eng/index.htm
c/o Institute of Asia Pacific Studies, Waseda University Rm 613-6, 7F Soudai nishiwaseda Bldg, Nishiwaseda, Shinjuku-ku,Tokyo 169-0051 Tel/Fax:+81-3-5286-8261 aaworkshop@yahoogroups.jp

Please click here to download the list of participants

If you require the contacts of a certain participants, please contact the workshop secretariat at
aangows@ticad-csf.net

Click here to download the Nairobi workshop minutes

Click here to see Nairobi and Tokyo workshop programs

Joint Solidarity Statement by Asian and African CSO’s to our Governments,
Development Partners and the International Community, September 18th, 2007

We, representatives of African and Asian Civil Society Organisations (CSO’s) having
met in Nairobi, Kenya from the 17-18th September 2007 to discuss development
cooperation and, in the spirit of international solidarity have issued this joint statement
to reflect our common consensus, aspirations and goals.

Click here to read the 22 specific recommendations of the Joint Statement

In light of the above, we, the representatives of civil society organisations from Asia and
Africa pledge our total commitment and support to development initiatives that would:
1. Recognise people as centre and owners of development
2. Recognise civil society organisations as complementary partners to development.
3. Recognise civil society organisations as credible partners.
4. Make flexible and adequate resources available to civil society organisations
including the Civic Commission for Africa (C-CfA)
Further, we commit ourselves to:
1. Engage our various organisations in Asia and Africa in meaningful and fruitful
networking activities
2. Promote good practice among and between our civil societies.
3. Reach out to Latin American civil society organisations