African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) serves as the African Union’s agency for implementing Agenda 2063 – the continent’s strategic framework for socio-economic transformation over a period of 50 years through ten year implementation plans. The Agency, through various programmatic interventions with countries on the continent, works towards enabling the continent’s people to see “The Africa We Want” through Agenda 2063.

Much discussion and interaction between AUDA-NEPAD, African media, development partners and communication stakeholders has brought out the important need to collaborate on advocacy and awareness of Agenda 2063, through #TheAfricaWeWant campaign. To this end, several initiatives have been embarked on by the AUDA-NEPAD Communications Unit, including the launch of the Agenda 2063 Media Network in April 2018 (whose membership base is steadily growing); the identification of young ‘champions’ who represent the ethos of the #TheAfricaWeWant in their sphere of work; as well as the Youth Short Essay Contest in 2019, in order to step up momentum with regards coverage and awareness of the continent’s agenda for transformation. A two-day brainstorming and advocacy session will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 9-10 April 2019.

The main purpose of rallying partners, the media, communication stakeholders and #TheAfricaWeWant Youth Champions around Agenda 2063 is threefold:

1. To create a collective and shared sense of ownership by media, development partners and communication stakeholders on the continent of Agenda 2063 – under the campaign banner of “The Africa We Want”; while at the same time increasing the volume and quality of positive news on the Agenda;
2. To strengthen collaboration and networking between African media practitioners, thereby improving their appreciation and understanding of the broad issues and debates relating to Africa’s development at regional and continental levels;
3. To introduce stakeholders on the continent to the new brand and mandate of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), as well as its programmatic interventions on the continent that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063.

Queries can be directed to: Ms Mwanja Ng’anjo | +27 11 256 3600 | Mwanjan@nepad.org