Assembly/AU/6(XVI)
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held at the level of the Heads of State and Government in Tripoli, Libya, on 30
November 2010. A copy of the Report is herewith attached (Annex IV).
V.
LESSONS LEARNT
34.
As the Year of Peace and Security draws to an end, the time has come to reflect
on the impact that the initiatives that were launched and the efforts made have produced
and to decide on the way forward. Clearly, the Make Peace Happen Campaign has
unleashed a rare attention to the AU. It has unveiled a genuine interest and commitment
of stakeholders to support the AU in its efforts to free the continent from the scourge of
conflicts.
35.
This year has also awakened dormant capital, both human and material, on
which the AU can ride to realise the objective of a continent at peace with itself. Virtually,
all sectors of the society have been touched by the messages of peace broadcasted by
the AU and the calls for support to its endeavours. The AU needs to seize the
momentum thus created by sustaining its efforts in the long term and continuing to
develop its capacity to harness the wealth of contributions that we came to realize Africa
is ready to make for the sake of peace.
(i)
Communication
36.
Throughout 2010, the Commission spent tremendous energy and resources to
reach out to African citizens and institutions: Governments, private sector, Civil Society
Organizations (CSOs), think tanks, faith-based organisations, the academic sector, as
well as international organisations active in Africa. The AU communication strategy has
produced a significant impact, as exemplified by the success of Peace Day, in particular,
and, more generally, the spontaneous initiatives undertaken by individuals and
institutions to mark the Year of Peace and Security.
37.
The first lesson to be drawn from the YoPS experience is simply that
communication works. Maintaining contact with the wider public, providing regular
information on the activities of the AU, opening the necessary space for stakeholders to
interact with the institution and discover the ways to support it, are all steps that
encourage partnership with, and foster support to, the AU. People and institutions in
Africa are willing to take part in our efforts. We need to tell them how to do so. The AU
has to provide guidance and updated information, on a regular basis, to all stakeholders
if we are to continue to foster creativity and initiatives and fully benefit from the human,
financial and material support that is made available to us.
(ii)
Stakeholder contributions, partnerships and resource mobilization
38.
One important message of the Year of Peace and Security was about highlighting
that peace building is the responsibility of all: states, inter-governmental organisations,
communities and individuals. Accordingly, the Commission endeavoured to facilitate and
harness the involvement of a range of stakeholders, in particular non state-actors. It built