Assembly/AU/Dec.572(XXV) Page 1 DECISION ON ITEMS PROPOSED BY MEMBER STATES Doc. Assembly/AU/17(XXV)Add.1-4 The Assembly, 1. TAKES NOTE of the Items proposed by Member States and STRESSES the need to strictly observe the rules of procedure regarding submission of items to AU Policy Organs; A. On the naming of African Union Garden under the name of Professor Wangari Maathai - Doc. Assembly/AU/17(XXV)Add.1 2. RECOGNIZES the importance of environmental conservation and protection, and the need to promote democracy and human rights, and APPRECIATES the contribution made by the late Professor Wangari Maathai to the African Continent and the whole world in supporting these endeavours; 3. ENDORSES the proposal by the Republic of Congo to name the AU Garden after Professor Wangari Maathai in appreciation by the African Union for her contribution to the African Continent and the whole world; 4. REQUESTS the Commission to work with the Republic of Congo to ensure the formal naming of the African Union Garden under the name of Professor Wangari Maathai by 2015; B. On the outcomes of the Dakar Summit on Higher Education - Doc. Assembly/AU/17(XXV)Add.2 5. EXPRESSES its high appreciation for the outcomes of the Dakar Summit on Higher Education, including the Declaration on revitalization of Higher Education for Africa‟s future; 6. STRESSES the importance of the revitalization of the Higher Education and its role the realization of AU Agenda 2063; 7. REQUESTS i) the Commission to take lead in building the African common space for higher education and research according to AU Strategy for Harmonization of Higher Education, with a view to promote intraAfrican academic networking and mobility of teachers and students; ii) Member States: a) to strengthen their support and investment in higher education in order to develop a critical mass of high level intellectual capital, and promote youth employability through entrepreneurship skills and innovation;