AUADS SIXTH REGION FACILITATORS INTERNAL NEWSLETTER YEAR 1, EDITION 1, WEEK 9, MARCH 03 03 23

Introduction

Information, Communication, Education (this includes Edutainment) are three inextricably linked, important activities to in-form the Diaspora Community at any level of society about the State of our Affairs. Among other things about the operational-processes in general and in particular about the relevant developments in the different Regions.
Various products, mechanisms and tools are possible as a commitment to operationalize the High Council Information and Communication strategy.In this context, we refer to the presentation of the Communication plan by Sister Nana Abena James during our third session.
Because of the crucial moment we have entered as Facilitators, it is important that we inform the “World African Diaspora Community” (WADC) what the achievements are until to date and about the next steps until July.We have to let the “World” know that we exist and what we are doing.
Together we can decide on the relevant strategies to inform the WADC about our existence and about our operations.
An Editorial Committee is part of the Organizational Operating Model.Meanwhile the website is in construction under the leadership of Sister Nana Abena James & Dr. Tumenta. The Outline of the website will present soon to you. Dr. Tumenta will make sure that all the Historic ingredients towards the High Council Model will be covered.
Given the amount of activities, more hands and feet are needed to get the work done. To make the mission and objectives successful. It is therefore important that the Editorial Committee be informed about the operations of the Facilitators in the different regions. But also the developments that are taken place in the various Regions and Taskforces in order to operationalize certain aspects of the High Council.

What to report at this moment?

In the field of Constitutional Affairs

A Sub-commission,has been setup consisting of: Dr. Waleska, Dr. Marianne and Dr. John; Dr.Tumenta functioned as advisor.The purpose of this Taskforce is to advise on the High Council Constitutional Affairs in general and the mandate aspects (via a MOU) in the field of the role, tasks, responsibilities, powers and the expectations of a Regional Facilitator.

What do we mean by a Facilitator?

• A Facilitator is a(n):
• key-person (Pan Africanist, Activist, Scholar, Scientist, Expert, Lawyer, community Leader etc.) with a longstanding track record on the respective issues of Africa and African Diaspora affairs, concerns & interest& benefits);
• authority who assist with the development of respective the implementation of the High Council organization& mobilization structure;
• dedicated and passionate person who without a form of (financial) compensation, contribute to towards the operationalization of the “Leave No Community Behind Model” on Regional and National level and identify Facilitators for Regional & National perspective.
• person with fundamental knowledge of their Region as well about the needs (political, economic and human rights situation of the people) in their region.
• person with reasonable knowledge on issues regarding the African Union African Diaspora policies, Organs, Bodies and Commissions and competences on Pan African (historic)affairs: ideologies, affairs and infra structure.

In the Field of the Logo

Better to say that what we want that the High Council Reflects. The Unique Selling Point. Dr. Tumenta stated that the developing anew Logo could give the impression that we are new in the process of setting-up the Sixth Region Organization governance structure and recently initiated & founded. This while developments goes fare back to year 2006. What have been led to the deciding for the time being to use this logo.

The Logo is a compromise of the Design that came out from the excellent work of Sister Nana Abena James of which the majority has chosen and within the Logo we will find the historic logo that reflects our historical being and already was adopted by African Union Organs. As such it reflects The IDEA regarding the High Council that it is not of today. It’s the result of an intensive process that in fact started in 2006/20071in the context of the “Leave No Community Behind Model” that has been embraced and endorsed by various AU Authorities and Diplomats in the past2. This while we were involved since 2001when the official negotiations concerning the Article 3q started.

The High Council is based on a Global (Sixth Region), Regional and National driven governance IDEA& VISION.The implementation is the result of the decisions during the GLOBAL PAN AFRICAN ROOTS-SYNERGY ROUNDTABLE, THAT WAS ORGANISED IN ADDIS ABABA, FROM MAY 23-27, 2022 RELATED TO THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADOPTION OF THE DECLARATION OF THE GLOBAL AFRICAN DIASPORA SUMMIT 2012.The agreements are laid down inTHE SUM-MARY STATEMENT & AGREEMENTS REPORT THAT ACCOMPANY THE DECLARATION (P19) & RESOLUTIONS (P25).

In the Field of the AU Diaspora Definition

We are pleased to announce that the Subcommittee has started the discussion on this. It consists of: Professor David, Brother Cliff, Dr. Tumenta, Dr.David Israël & Professor Lazare.

In the Field of the Secretariat

For the time being we have chosen for The Hague, the Netherlands.The Idea came from different corners within our Facilitators Working Group. While we were concentrating on Brazil because of the majority of the Diaspora there. After taken the proposal into consideration we, the Management Group, decided to meet the urgent need for a temporary Headquarter of the High Council in The Hague. Because it is clear that there should be more Headquarters. The Idea for the Europe Region Segment is not new. Watch in this very important document from 2016:

https://app.box.com/s/vpkogitppvpv9l6vlypelur1t0o4fbh1 (not to distribute)

An official letter from ECOSOCC Presiding Officer (†CHILENGI) wherein he agreed on the installation of the Headquarter in The Hague for the Europe Region is in our possession.

In the Field of the Launching of the High Council in Maputo

Cooperation with the AU Commission

After all, we want to be recognized by the African Union and that the AU endorses the Council.A Letter therefore has send to the AUC Chairmanships wherein we asked for support regarding the realization and organization of the 20th anniversary of the Article 3q of the African Union Constitutive Act, as well for co-facilitating the event; advising on the Program and bringing under the attention of all relevant African Union Organs and Bodies, Networks and Stake-holders.

We remind them that July, 11th 2023 will mark the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the amendments and as consequences of that, the formal adoption of Article 3q of the African Union Constitutive Act. That the date marks the Historic moment whereby the African Union via this Article 3q officially invited and encouraged the African Diaspora to their full participation as an important part of the African continent and the building of the African Union. And that we believe that this Day should not pass by. It marks an excellent opportunity to reflect on the developments until so far. An important Day for a worthy commemoration in consultation with the AU Commission because of the responsibility, capacity and competence in the field of African Diaspora Affairs.

We have also ask for a consultation meeting to present our High Council Model to them: the various aspects of the Council Organizational model and structure; the set-up, philosophy, vision, mission and objectives; the legal and political aspects of the frame-work and the trajectory of the nomination process. A confirmation letter of receipt has already received from the AU Commission vice chair.

Regarding the Maputo Conference

The Organizing and Planning Committee has been Strengthened with Kim Poole (Co-Facilitator North American Region) and Angela Sayless (who functioned as Moderator during our Addis Roundtable). Their special expertise are in the field of the marketing strategy, promotion and fundraising. Their major global networks are also relevant. We can be sure that with this two ladies and Nana Abena James we can be sure of a successful traject. Nana Abena James has already shown her excellent expertise and competences in this area.

On this stageit is important to know how many of you will be present in Maputo.The Program foresees in a plenary Presentation of all the Regional Facilita-tors as the Fundament of the operation-alizing of the High Council.An important strategy is to inform and lobby the Afri-can Ambassadors in your Country in the sense of assisting the promotion.To in-form the Networks in your Region.

In the Field of our Ubuntu expression

Zimbabwe 8th PAC

At this moment we are facing a very bizarre development in which large parts of our “Leave No Community Behind-High Council Model” have been given a different look for the benefit of this so-called 8th PAC. It is important to note in this context that we have been informed that no space has been reserved in the Zimbabwe-programme to present our Model independently. That’s why we define it as appropriating our intellectual property. We are currently facing an important challenge about the wisest strategy to respond on this matter. What is wise?

Let’s we do not forget that the 8thPAC3was already organized in 2014.Our participation in this Zimbabwe-strategy would implicitly mean distancing ourselves from this 2014 conference, which would not be good for our image and credibility.

And plus, we don’t want to get into that split or end up in an impossible position.It is wiser to invite the leaders of this 8thPac 2014-Conference with the aim to support our High Council strategy.This to demonstrate that we are serious when it concerns the implementation of the “Leave No Community Behind Model”.

We must breathe an Organization that understand the Ubuntu Philosophy4and apply.The LNCB-HC model is based on this important Philosophy. What also mean to take the Higher Ground5; act wisely when-ever it is necessary 6; and to consult our jurists, whenever it is needed.But also to show that we don’t let it get to us.

In the meantime, we are still trying to work towards a reasonable solution to solve the misunderstandings about the irresponsible use of our High Council Model with the “Ambassador Arikana Organization and Planning Team”.