Concept Note for Promoting people-driven policymaking through participatory processes
INTRODUCTION Citizen leadership, ownership and participation, inclusion and empowerment are defined as some of the critical success factors for the effective realization of Agenda 2063 in line with the AU’s ethos of a people-centred development. This further supports the objective of ensuring effective participation of all stakeholders in the conception, design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of Agenda 2063 and relevant development initiatives for full ownership and accountability.
The panel will assess the opportunities for leveraging technology for improved citizen engagement in development planning which prioritizes the insights, perspectives, and input of citizens in the planning and implementation of national, regional, and global development agendas. The event will bring together perspectives of actors in the public, private and civic sectors, looking at emerging trends, challenges and prospects for technology driven, inclusive and participatory development approaches.
In this regard, the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) has been seeking ways to enhance meaningful interactions between the AU, its Organs and Member States on the one hand, and African citizens on the other through the development and piloting of digital and non-digital approaches.
More specifically, the panel will provide an opportunity to share the concept for some of the Citizen Engagement Tools with requisite features and capabilities for the provision of comprehensive, interactive and consultative platforms for citizens and citizens groups (private sector, civil societies, government entities, academia, media etc.) to access information, interact and meaningfully engage in governance and socio-economic policymaking processes of the AU.
OBJECTIVES • Discuss current and emerging opportunities for leveraging technology for citizen engagement in development planning and implementation in AU ecosystem, RECs, and member states • Demonstrate the value of multi-stakeholder/policy-innovation ecosystem partnerships in developing digital tools for citizen engagement and collaboration • Identify challenges impacting on the success of technology-driven approaches and proffering policy and practice solutions • Showcase the AU Citizen Engagement Platform and AU Handbook on Citizen Engagement towards roll-out • Identify potential institutions, partners, stakeholders, and resources for championing and implementing citizen engagement for development initiatives in Africa
EXPECTED OUTCOMES • Enhanced appreciation of the value of digital approaches to citizens participation in development. • Improved understanding of the potential benefits of collaboration between policymakers and innovation actors in Africa; and • Renewed commitment to the adoption of technology-driven approaches for development planning and implementation.
FORMAT The panel will be held physically on the margin of the AfricaIGF in May 2025, 29-31. The meeting will be open to representatives of the African Union Commission, AU Organs, RECs African Heads of State and accompany high-ranking government officials, the private sector and development partners_x000D_
