Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC)

P. O. Box 3243, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia

Phone : + 251 115513822 / Fax : + 251 115519321

Web site : www.africa-union.org/ECOSOC/home.htm

Established under the provisions of Articles 5 and 22 of the African Union’s Constitutive Act, ECOSOCC (Economic, Social and Cultural Council)is the vehicle for building a strong partnership between governments and all segments of African civil society. The Statute of ECOSOCC, adopted by the Heads of State and Government at the Third Ordinary Session of the Assembly in July 2004 define it as an advisory organ of the African Union composed of different social and professional groups of the Member States of the African Union. The composition of ECOSOCC shall include African social groups, professional groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and cultural organizations.

ECOSOCC is mandated to:

Promote dialogue between all segments of African people on issues concerning the continent and its future;
Forge strong partnerships between governments and all segments of civil society, in particular, women, the youth, children the diaspora, organized labour, the private sector, and professional groups ;
Promote the participation of African Civil Society in the implementation of the policies and programmes of the Union ;
Support policies and programmes that promote peace, security and stability and foster Continental development and integration ;
Promote and defend a culture of good governance, democratic principles and institutions, popular participation, human rights and social justice ;
Promote, advocate and defend gender equality ;
And promote and strengthen the institutional, human and operational capacities of the African civil society.