Mobilising Parliaments for NEPAD (MPN)

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In 2001, five Heads of State from Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa initiated the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). Subsequently, the Organisation of African Unity (now African Union) formally adopted NEPAD. The NEPAD priorities are derived from the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). NEPAD is an African-led strategy for sustainable development and poverty reduction in Africa, under the leadership of the NEPAD Planning and Coordination Agency (NPCA). NEPAD’s four primary objectives are: to eradicate poverty; to place African countries on a path of sustainable growth and development; to halt the marginalisation of Africa in the globalisation process and enhance its full and beneficial integration into the world economy; as well as to accelerate the empowerment of women.

Programme Purpose

As of 2005, the main aim of the Mobilizing Parliaments for NEPAD programme is to support capacity building around NEPAD’s priorities. African parliaments play a key role in countering the structural problems through policy making and legislation as addressed by the MDGs and incorporated in the NEPAD strategies. The MPN Programme strengthens the knowledge of African Parliamentarians and Parliamentary Staff on NEPAD priorities, increases their capacity to act and promotes dialogue between Africa and Europe on these priorities.

Furthermore, the MPN Programme strongly supported NEPAD ’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme in 2009.

Activity

In 2009, workshops and regional seminars took place on such subjects as HIV/AIDS, orphans and vulnerable children, private sector development, water, agriculture, food security and climate change. Agriculture and climate change received attention in a number of programme activities in 2009 because sustainable development contributes to the achievement of MDG 1 (ending poverty and hunger), as well as MDG 7 (achieving environmental sustainability). In October, AWEPA signed an MOU with AGRA and began development of a comprehensive programme to support agricultural committees in African parliaments and enhance food security.

A two-day workshop in Liberia in July 2009 for example aimed to facilitate an open discussion about critical issues in agricultural development both in the region and in Liberia itself, with an eye towards the implications and practical application of this information on the daily work of the legislators. The sessions focused on the subjects of Pan- and West-African agricultural challenges and opportunities in Liberia, best practices in technological advancements in agriculture, food security, and climate change.

Donors

 Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)

 Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ)

 United Kingdom (Foreign and Commonwealth Office)
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