The Eighth African Governance Forum (AGF-VIII) under the theme “Democracy, Elections and the Management of Diversity” will be officially opened in Gaborone, Botswana on Tuesday 16 October. The AGF-VIII is organized jointly by Government of Botswana, the African Union, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).
The Forum will bring together about 250 stakeholders to deliberate on the current state of democracy in Africa in relation to elections and the management of diversity. In this regard, the forum will highlight progress being made by African countries in democracy-building taking due regard to governance processes that aim at broad representation and inclusion of Africa’s diverse social groups including minorities and the marginalised. The AGF-VIII will outline challenges with particular reference to gender imbalances and marginalization and disempowerment of youth with a view to illustrating how these problems retard progress towards the nurturing and consolidation of participatory democracy on the continent. The forum will go beyond highlighting challenges by showcasing governance best practices in Africa. While encouraging African leaders and citizens to deepen best practices, the Forum will also proffer possible policy options for addressing the governance deficits on the continent especially as they relate to elections and diversity management.
What: Eighth African Governance Forum (AGF-VIII): Democracy, Elections and the Management of Diversity in Africa
When: Tuesday, 16 October 2012, at 8:30 A.M. (Gaborone) – Thursday, 18 October 2012
Where: Gaborone International Convention Center, Grand Palm Hotel
Who: Opening: Honourable Ponatshego Honorius Kefhaeng Kedikilwe, Vice President the Republic of Botswana
Mr. Tegegnework Gettu, Director of UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa
H.E. Madam Aisha Abdullahi, Commissioner, Department of Political Affairs, African Union Commission
Mr. Carlos Lopes, UN Under Secretary-General and UNECA Executive Secretary
H. E. Pedro Pires, Former President of Cape Verde
Source: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – Press Release – 9 October 2012
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