Date: 6 to 8 November 2023

Venue- Haile Grand Hotel, Addis Ababa

About Amani Africa Media and Research Services  

Amani Africa Media and Research Services is an independent pan-African international policy research, training and consulting think tank that operates out of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia as an institution with a specialization and primary focus on multilateral policy processes of concern and interest for Africa in general and those based on the African Union (AU) in particular. Amani Africa supports the pan-African vision of a peaceful, prosperous and integrated Africa through evidenced based research, training, strategic communications, technical support and convening and facilitation.

Amani Africa produces in-depth research and analysis to inform continental policies, convenes forums to foster policy dialogue and conducts trainings to deepen practical knowledge on and bridge technical capacity gaps in working on and for engaging the AU.

As part of institutionalizing its work on training, in 2019, Amani Africa launched its Training Institute and held the inaugural training on the AU from 5-7 September 2019 in Bishoftu, Ethiopia. Initiated as a vehicle for providing practical knowledge and understanding to participants on how the AU works, the training enabled participants to be well positioned to engage the AU strategically and plan their interactions more effectively. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Training Institute has during the succeeding two years organized and delivered tailor-made trainings to diplomatic missions and UN agencies. In 2022, it organized its regular training institute on the AU focusing on CSOs as the main target group.

Amani Africa Training Institute 2023 on the African Union is scheduled to take place from 6 to 8 November 2023.

Description of the Training

While there is visible progress made by the AU in the establishment of norms, institutions, tools and frameworks, operationalization and implementation remain major issues. The understanding and application of such instruments, norms, tools, institutions and mechanisms by policy makers and other stakeholders play critical role in strengthening the delivery of AU’s mandate.

With increasing expectations from various stakeholders on effective delivery by the AU of its mandate, it has also become important for both African policy makers and the wider African public to understand the AU, its institutions, the reform efforts and the policy-making dynamics and processes vis-à-vis regional integration, peace and security and good governance, democracy and human rights.

Aim of the Training  

The training has the objectives of:

1. Equipping participants with the knowledge and understanding of how the AU functions and about the decision-making processes and dynamics of AU;
2. Identifying the factors and forces that shape the current trends and dynamics in policy development, institutional changes/reforms and AU’s role in various areas of its mandate;
3. Deepening practical knowledge and insights into the role of various AU actors including the AU Commission, AU organs and member states with respect to the AU governance and peace and security agenda;
4. Facilitating reflection on available avenues for CSOs to effectively engage with the AU policy and decision-making processes to deepen the partnership.

Duration of the Course and methodology

The course is scheduled to run for a period of three days. The course will provide participants with the latest sources of analysis and information on the AU and avails insights on the themes covered in the course through lectures, panel discussions and exchange.

Course facilitation

The training will be facilitated by various senior experts that possess a wealth of knowledge and experience engaging the AU. The overall facilitation will be conducted by the course director Professor Tim Murithi, Head of Programme at the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation.

Qualifications of applicants

This course is open to representatives of Africa based civil society organizations (working on AU matters), media practitioners (covering the AU), diplomats accredited to the AU, AU staff, representatives of international organizations and others working on issues related to the African Union. Priority is accorded to African based civil society organizations including youth and women led organizations working on African Union related issues and diplomats and AU staff as well as representatives of RECs/RMs accredited to the AU.

Cost of the Training

Amani Africa will cover partial cost of the training workshop for a limited number of participants. While the application is open to CSOs indicated in the section on profile of applicants, preference will be given to youth and women led organizations working on African Union related issues and policy processes.

How to apply

Send an email to [email protected] by COB 20 October 2023, following the instructions below:

1. A one-page cover letter explaining how/why this is relevant to your current professional activities
2. A complete CV with your contact information and contacts of two referees.
3. In the email use the subject line – Application for Training.
4. We have limited space for the training workshop, as the selection process will be continuous, we will give preference for those who submit their application early.