The
Second AGOA Civil Society Session
The Next Step for Sustaining AGOA's Momentum:
A Civil Society Perspective
December 8 - 10, 2003 Washington, DC
Representatives from more than 100 US and African Civil Society Organizations (CSO) met in a plenary session on January 17, 2003, and elected The Foundation for Democracy in Africa (USA) and The Mauritius Council of Social Service (Mauritius) co-chairs charged with establishing and managing an initial secretariat for the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Civil Society Network as well as the upcoming Third US - Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum taking place from December 9 - 10, 2003 in Washington, DC.
The theme of this year's AGOA Civil Society Session is "The Next Step for Sustaining AGOA's Momentum: A Civil Society Perspective" and will take place December 8-10, 2003 on the main campus of Howard University in Washington, DC.
The CSO Session will
focus on: (1) The current relevance of AGOA for both the public and private
sectors of Africa and the US; (2) Empowering Civil Society Organizations
to work with governments and businesses to take maximum advantage of AGOA;
(3) The impact of AGOA on US - Africa trade and (4) Monitoring and tracking
AGOA eligibility and compliance issues. In addition, the forum will provide
numerous networking opportunities with key policymakers, CSOs and small
business owners!
The preliminary agenda for Civil Society participation in the Forum is
as follows:
Monday, December 8, 2003
Howard University
Blackburn Center Washington, DC 20056
9:00
am - 9:30 am: |
Opening Ceremony: USTR, AGOA secretariat, AU Commission, and US House and Senate Representatives |
9:45
am -11:15 am: |
Briefing on AGOA: Congressional Briefing, USTR, and US AGOA Network Members |
11:15
am -11:30 am: |
Break |
11:30
am -12:45 pm: |
Roundtable Discussions: Sustaining AGOA's Momentum - A panel of experts from U.S. Government Agencies and African officials will lead a panel discussion on how to sustain AGOA. |
1:00
pm - 2:15 pm: |
Lunch: Luncheon Speaker |
2:30
pm – 3:45 pm: |
AGOA: Elements, Eligibility, Compliance and Trade Issues: Panel members will discuss:· U. S. Phyto-Sanitary Standards· U. S. Department of Agriculture Programs· U. S. Customs Policies & Procedures |
4:00
pm – 5:30 pm: |
Civil Society Session Communiqué - Building. |
7:00
pm - 9:00 pm: |
Reception |
Tuesday,
December 9, 2003
The Heritage Foundation, Lehrman Auditorium, First Floor, Washington,
DC 20002
| 9:00 am – 10:15 am: | Tools and Methods for Conducting Research on Trade and Commerce in Africa. |
| 10:15 am -10:30 am: | Break |
| 10:45 am – 12:00 pm: | “How to” Monitor and Track the Impact Trade has on Your Country. |
| 12:00pm – 1:00 pm: | Luncheon |
| 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm: | “Doing Business in America”. |
| 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | “How to Establish a Civil Society Network”. |
| 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm: | AGOA Annual Report Preparation: Collecting, Packaging and Presenting the Pertinent Information. |
The mission of The AGOA Civil Society Network is to empower civil society organizations to work with governments and businesses to take maximum advantage of the benefits of AGOA on behalf of the citizens of their countries. This is being accomplished by utilizing civil society organizations to monitor AGOA eligibility and compliance issues, to track the impact of AGOA on U.S. – Africa trade and to provide technical assistance where feasible. The relationship between CSOs and the government and business sectors is intended to be cooperative rather than adversarial, but such a relationship does not preclude constructive criticism where needed.
Make your voice heard this December and join us in helping to shape the way in which the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act shapes trade, political and economic conditions for Africa, the US and beyond!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL (NON-US) PARTICIPANTS: International (non-US) participants that will require visas must send in their registration forms with payment by, Friday, October 31, 2003. It is STRONGLY suggested that you set up a visa interview with your closest US consulate as soon as possible. Please be advised the issuance of visas is at the discretion of the US Embassy of your country.
