EAC 10TH anniversary symposium opens in Arusha
ARUSHA, Tanzania, November 13, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The East African Community 10th Anniversary Symposium opened today in Arusha, Tanzania with representatives from Government, Civil Society, Academia, Private Sector and Media from across the region converging at the Snowcrest Hotel to discuss critical issues of integration. The two-day Symposium held under the theme EAC 10 Years of Integration: One People, One Destiny is one of the climax activities of the 10th Anniversary Observance.
The Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, Honourable Monique Mukaruliza, opened the Symposium by reminding participants that EAC’s integration process is anchored on the principle of a people-centred regional integration and as such challenged delegates to continuously inform and involve their constituents in the integration process.
“As the elite and opinion leaders, you are well positioned to promote awareness, discourse and a lively conversation with the people of East Africa on some of the important issues of East African integration,” Hon. Mukaruliza said.
She added that the four topics selected for the symposium reflected some of the critical elements in the integration agenda and it was pertinent that the region’s best minds reflect on them as the EAC reviews the path it has travelled during the past ten years and charts out the road ahead. Discussions at the symposium will centre on subjects ranging from Pan African to climate change, science and technology and the role of non state actors in the integration process.
The Secretary General of the EAC, Ambassador Juma Mwapachu, said the adoption of the new EAC branding: One People, One Destiny – unveiled during the 10th Anniversary celebrations would provide a new stimulus and catalyse efforts to ingrain a positive attitude towards integration.
Dr Thomas Walter, the GTZ representative, paid tribute to a decade of EAC-Germany cooperation, one of whose hallmarks is the EAC headquarters building, whose construction will commence after the EAC heads of state lay its foundation stone next week. Germany is contributing over 10 million euros to the construction of the building.
The Symposium will involve the participation of over 100 delegates and high level presenters and discussants will lead discussions on these four topics: Pan Africanism and the Challenges of EAC Integration; Science and Technology as Strategic Driver of EAC Development; Climate Change and its Implications to development in the EAC Region; and Role of Non State Actors in Deepening EAC Integration.
Among the delegates in attendance are; Ministers Responsible for EAC Affairs in the EAC Partner States – Hon Monique Mukaruliza, Minister of EAC Affairs, Rwanda and Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, Rwanda Rt. Hon. Eriya Kategaya, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of EAC Affairs, Uganda; Hon Hafsa Mossi, Minister East African Community Affairs, Burundi; Ministers from Partner States; Hon. Abdirahin Abdi, Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA); Judge President Hon. Mr. Harold Reginald Nsekela and other Judges of the East African Court of Justice; Heads of EAC organs and institutions; Members of EALA ; Members of national Parliaments, and leading academics in the region.
The Symposium will document, publicise and popularise the EAC among the East African people and galvanise a passionate, visionary and broad participation in the EAC integration process. The deliberations of the Symposium will be published in a book.
SOURCE
East African Community (EAC)
