African Shared Values Initiative
African Shared Values, an initiative of the Political Affairs Department (DPA) of the African Union (AU), works to facilitate discussions and debate about what values are shared between AU member states and their citizens. The initiative uses public dialogues held face-to-face in African cities, via radio programmes, social media, and online forums. The programme was launched in 2012 as part of the AU's Year of Shared Values.
According to the African Shared Values programme, the 2012 Year of Shared Values is an initiative designed to promote dialogue among all the continent's citizens, with the larger view of working towards the African Union (AU) commitment to a stronger Africa based on unity and integration. The Shared Values Conversations will eventually inform all activities that the AU is committed to, from election monitoring, to assisting displaced persons and humanitarian aid, to peace and security, gender equity, and agricultural matters.
People throughout Africa are invited to join the Shared Values conversations. The African Shared Values website, shares resource documents, videos, and images, and offers an interactive forum. People can also interact and join discussions via the African Shared Values Facebook page.
The organisers explain that shared Values provide a lens through which to operate, making clear that certain principles apply to Member State dealings with its own citizens within its own borders. A focus on Shared Values can also be a useful aid in how Member States interact across borders. The concept is based on the idea that there are Shared Values that may be unique to African conditions that will help countries and citizens move forward and prosper.
Governance
Political Affairs Department (DPA) of the African Union (AU)
Emal from Mikias Sissay on December 5 2012 and African Shared Values website on December 8 2012.