The Africa Progress Panel (APP) was formed as a vehicle to maintain a focus on the commitments to Africa made by the international community in the wake of the Gleneagles G8 Summit and of the Commission for Africa Report in 2007. Under the chairmanship of Kofi Annan, it pays equal attention to the implementation of Africa's commitments as set out in the Constitutive Act of the African Union and landmark international agreements.
The Panel’s members continually assess new opportunities and threats to Africa’s development, including how far previous commitments of Africa are being met. They use their judgment and experience to highlight pressing concerns, inspire honest debate amongst leaders and civil society, help mobilise resources and prompt effective action.
Mission
The core purpose of the Africa Progress Panel is to promote Africa’s economic, social and political development. It does this in three main ways:
by contributing to and catalyzing initiatives by leaders, organizations and policy makers to develop clear positions on issues critical to the continent’s future.
by encouraging and monitoring the role of Africa’s trading, donor and investment partners in supporting the continent's progress measured in a number of ways; including the coherence of policies as well as the levels of aid and investment.
by engaging and intervening on specific issues, problems and opportunities in a politically timely manner, notably in advance of critical decision making moments, whether in Africa or on the international stage.
Work Plan
The Panel with support from the Secretariat draws on the expertise of institutions working on African issues to present an assessment of progress in the form of an annual report on the state of Africa’s development. It also produces a fortnightly bulletin and a series of policy briefs with recommendations on issues critical to the continent’s future. These include the response to the global financial crisis; climate change; options for supporting small holder farmers; the role of the business sector in adding social and environmental value; and reforming the multilateral system.
The Africa Progress Panel's work plan which includes the criteria used to asses the impact of the Panel and Secretariat's work is available here.
The Panel's specific mandate to review and monitor commitments to Africa is planned to expire in 2010 in accordance with the pledges made at the Gleneagles G8 Summit. In February 2010, the Panel renewed its commitment to continue its work until 2015 provided sufficient resources are mobilized.
Donors and Funding
The APP's core funding 2008 - 2010 comes from two sources: the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the UK's Department for International Development (DFID). Core funds support the Panel members’ outreach and advocacy activities, and the work of the Secretariat, including the production of policy briefs and its information and communication activities. All financial statements are audited externally.
The Secretariat also seeks project funding for specific activities. In 2009, the Government of Germany provided support to the APP's work on climate change. Project funds are being sought for APP activities relating to maternal health and to the role of business in adding social and environmental value in Africa. Information concerning new donors and what projects they are financing will be posted in this section as they materialise.
Environmental Policy
The nature of the APP's work requires extensive travel by Panel members and Secretariat staff, but where possible this is avoided by the use of video-conferencing facilities. Where possible, the Secretariat favours train rather than road or air travel.
The APP’s green office policy also includes the offsetting the carbon emissions from travel, using recycled or envirnmentally friendly paper, minimizing printing, energy-efficient lighting and cooling in our offices, and green procurement when possible.
Source: AfricaProgressPanel.com
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