FHI 360’s Post

Congratulations to USAID Colombia Mission for leaning into a bolder vision of #localization. #SumaSocial recognizes that localization delivers on the promise of cost effectiveness and sustainable project results when we think beyond narrow constructs related only to shifting funding to local partners. Shifting implementing responsibility and funding to local partners is an important and necessary step. But real and longer term gains will be more likely to emerge from a stronger civil society that contributes to effective and constructive citizenry engagement and responsive government.

The most interesting about this achievement and recognition is that it is obtained from #emergent actions that have been produced from multiple conversations that as a team we have helped to activate. The achievement of the program is generated through the activities that the collective intelligence of the representatives of the social organizations, in the collective, and of the existing within each one of them, has led them to execute and reach accomplishments that had not been imagined before. Fortunately, nothing has gone according to plan.

PRESS RELEASE: AFRICA PROSPERITY NETWORK (APN) APPOINTS SIDIG FAROUG EL TOUM AS NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. Africa Prosperity Network (APN), Africa’s leading organisation dedicated to promoting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and single market by mobilising the private sector for shared ownership of the project, announces the appointment of Sidig Faroug El Toum as the Chief Executive Officer of the APN Secretariat, effective 1 January 2025. El Toum’s appointment reinforces APN's commitment to contribute to the acceleration of Africa's economic transformation through enhanced cooperation and strategic partnerships with all stakeholders. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/enR4WcWz #APN #APD2025 #APCA2025 #AfricaProsperityNetwork

During his historic visit to Angola, President Biden announced the elevation of USAID's presence in the country to a full USAID Mission, marking a significant step in strengthening U.S.-Angola relations. This expansion underscores the United States' commitment to supporting Angola's National Development Plan 2023-2027, which focuses on modernizing infrastructure, fostering economic diversification, enhancing human capital through health and education investments, and promoting social cohesion and democracy. The establishment of a USAID Mission will enable deeper collaboration with Angola’s government and people, advancing shared goals for sustainable development and reinforcing the growing strategic partnership between the two nations. https://lnkd.in/gftkAMzu

Our stakeholder conference in Amman was a strong reminder of the importance of collaboration, particularly at a time when heightened tension in the region is putting pressure on the continuing and increasing needs of NGOs. The regionalisation of conflicts in the Middle East emphasises the need for a regional focus from both the NGO community and donors. Any approach to humanitarian safety coordination must include all stakeholders at the table as we face similar challenges with different impacts and must collaborate on these. This is why we brought together our field staff working in Syria, Iraq, Palestine, and Yemen, as well as our regional director so that stakeholders could hear from them directly together. Our longstanding presence in Iraq and Syria underlines INSO’s commitment to supporting NGOs to stay and deliver. Whilst our newer programs in the region, Yemen and Palestine, gave the opportunity to show how INSO approaches establishing complex and rapid response programs. It was an engaging discussion highlighting many overlapping themes in the region, including the ever-increasing need for more NGO-donor coordination. We're excited to keep the momentum moving forward with European Commission Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office USAID Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken United Nations OCHA Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y Cooperación Jordan INGO Forum in follow-up meetings.

In a special Dossier of the 33rd Issue of Globe, the Geneva Graduate Institute Review, we set focus on #Africa's development and its autonomy of decision. Learn more 👉🏼 https://lnkd.in/eNx2Jdn #AfricaRising

I am honored to have visited the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in Washington, DC, as part of the #MEPISLP, funded by the U.S. Department of State. During this visit, I had the privilege of meeting with Mrs. Rima K., Senior Regional Advisor for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at the International Republican Institute (IRI), and Mr. Jeffrey England, Deputy Regional Director for NDI's MENA region. We had an insightful discussion about the significant contributions both #NDI and #IRI are making in the MENA region, particularly in promoting #transparency, #accountability, and #citizen_engagement. This visit reinforced the vital role of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in fostering democratic governance. Tunisia, as a member of the #OGP, has recently submitted its 2023-2025 Action Plan, which includes 15 commitments divided into four key areas: 1. Transparency and Governance of Natural Resources Management: 7 commitments 2. Public Participation and Open Government at the Local Level: 3 commitments 3. Accountability and Integrity in the Public Sector: 3 commitments 4. Development and Digitalization of Administrative Services: 3 commitments These efforts highlight Tunisia's dedication to advancing #open_governance and enhancing public trust. To learn more about Tunisia's contributions to the #OGP, visit the final report [https://lnkd.in/drviQW9v]. #NDI #IRI #MEPI #SLP #USDepartmentofState #OpenGov #OGP #Transparency #Accountability #CitizenEngagement #Tunisia #MENA #PublicParticipation #DigitalTransformation

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This week Africa will commemorate a day dedicated to its freedom, this is in line with the formation of Organization of Africa Unity which later changed its name to African Union. As we prepare for that ceremonial commemorations I want to challenge all Africans and ask how many are aware of the Africa agenda 2063 plan? According to the African Union, agenda 2063 plan is “A shared strategic framework for inclusive growth and sustainable development & a global strategy to optimize the use of Africa’s resources for the benefit of all Africans”. This was launched in 2013 on 50th anniversary of OAU and will be implemented in 5phases with a period of 10 years in each phase. This year phase 2 of the ten year implementation plan covering 2024 to 2033 was launched with expected goals being prosperity, integration, democratic, peace, culture, people driven development and influential. This basically is preparing Africa for the future and its our responsibility as Africans to participate at all levels and not just leaders. Am challenging all Africans to take interest in this and play our part to ensure that these goals are achieved in the next 39 years.

I recently had the opportunity to attend a workshop session by the SDGs-Africa Mentorship Programme on the African Union's Agenda 2063. This ambitious plan serves as a blueprint for Africa's transformation by 2063, focusing on inclusive growth, sustainable development, and continental unity. The workshop offered valuable insights into the African Union (AU) itself. Established in 1963, the AU has grown from 32 member countries to 55, reflecting the continent's increasing cooperation. Its core objectives include promoting unity, coordinating collaboration, and safeguarding the sovereignty of its members. Agenda 2063, the AU's strategic framework, outlines seven key aspirations with 20 corresponding goals. These aspirations encompass a prosperous Africa, continental integration, good governance, peace and security, a strong cultural identity, and people-centered development. I'm eager to learn more about how we can all contribute to building the "Integrated, prosperous and Peaceful Africa" envisioned in Agenda 2063. #Africa #Agenda2063 #SustainableDevelopment