Civil Society Consultative Meeting

SEATINI in partnership with CONSENT organised a Consultative Meeting to Input in the 10th Regional Seminar of the ACP-EU Economic and Social Interest Groups, to be held in Gaborone. The meeting was held on 28th May 2009 at Shanghai Restaurant VIP Boardroom. The purpose of this consultative meeting was to solicit stakeholder views and input into the agenda of the 10th Regional Seminar of the ACP-EU Economic and Social Interest Groups, to be held in Gaborone, Botswana 28 – 30 June 2009.

Concept Paper and Agenda of the consultative meeting [PDF]

FEATS National Dialogue

SEATINI-Uganda together with CUTS-CITEE organised a national dialogue on Fostering Equity and Accountability in the trading system (FEATS).

This is Dialogue took place in Kampala Uganda on 20th May 2009.

Resources:

• Concept paper [PDF]
• Paper presented by Mr. Rashid Kaukab [pp]
• Paper presented by Mr. Clement Onyango [pp]
• Report of the National Dialogu [PDF]

EAC Regional Gender and Trade Workshop

SEATINI-Uganda with support from One World Action and Commonwealth Secretariat organized a Regional Workshop entitled “Gender and Women’s Rights: Analysis of the EU/EAC Economic Partnership Agreement - Tanzania Country Study. scheduled to take place on 12- 13 MAY 2009, at Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala, Uganda.

The Workshop brought together government officials and civil society representatives from the EAC region, as well as ESA region, to discuss the implications of trade liberalisation in the EPA, from the perspectives of gender and women’s rights.

The workshop is part of a project which seeks to put gender issues on the agenda of Economic Partnership Agreements by conducting a gender analysis of the implementation of trade liberalisation particularly the EPAs.

The main objectives of the Workshop were to:

• Share and discuss findings and analysis of the Tanzania research study on gender and the EPA.
• Identify potential impacts of the EPA in other EAC, as well as ESA countries
• Strengthen gender and trade analytical skills & advocacy capacity.
• Identify positions and issues to be included in the on-going negotiations.
• Identity opportunities for lobbying and advocacy on gender and trade liberalisation, gender issues related to the implementation of EPAs, and women’s economic rights.

Workshop Resources:

1. Concept Note [PDF]
2. Workshop Programme [PDF]
3. Workshop Presentations:

• Gender and women rights analysis of EPA-TZ-By Dr. Seebens...[pp]
• Gender and Women’s Rights Analysis of Economic Partnership...[pp]
• EAC-EPAs negotiations State of Play - by Silver Ojakol MTTI Uganda...[pp]
• Opening l...[pp]

4. Workshop Report... [PDF]

Participants: L-R: Uganda State Minister for Tourism, Trade and Industry, Hon. Gagawala Wambuzi recognised by Fatima Kelleher

Regional Worskhop for EAC Stakeholders on strengthening the participation of civil society in regional trade related processes

SEATINI organised a regional stake-holders workshop on “strengthening the participation of civil society in regional trade related processes”. The workshop brought together EAC Civil Society, EAC Secretariate, Uganda Ministry of Trade Officila Academia as well as Private Sector. The Workshop adopted A Declaration: We the Civil Society Organization and private sector representatives from the five EAC partner states of Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania met in Kampala.... Download [PDF]

The Workshop:

The objective of this meeting is to evaluate structures created for Non-State Actors’ participation in the EAC treaty and to assess the nature and level of participation of Civil Society Organisation in the EAC integration process. The workshop will also be used to make proposals for strengthening the participation of Civil Society in trade related regional integration processes to ensure that they take into account the needs and aspirations of the people and the strategic interests of the East African region. It is hoped that two CSO participants from each EAC country will attend (apart from Uganda where a cross-section of CSOs will be welcome), Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry, Ministry of East African Community Affairs, East African Community Secretariat, Private Sector, the media and academicians.

CONCEPT NOTE: EAC Stakeholders Workshop On Strengthening The Participation Of Civil Society In Regional Trade-Related Processes ... Download [PDF]

Tentative Programme For EAC Stakeholders Workshop On Strengthening The Participation Of Civil Society In Regional Trade-Related Processes ... Download [PDF]

Regional Parliamentarians Workshop for Eastern and Southern Africa - 14th and 15th November 2008, Nairobi...

Members of parliament in Eastern and Southern Africa reclaiming their rightful role in trade negotiations; Hotel La Mada, Nairobi 14-15 November 2008. In a meeting organized by Members of Parliament from Eastern and Southern African Region, the East African Liaison Committee in collaboration with Civil Society that Included SEATINI, ACORD, PELUM, Oxfam International, and the Civil Society Network Zambia (CSTNZ), Members of Parliament underscored the importance of their being effectively enganged in the negotiations in order to protect and promote the interest of the people they represent. The meeting drew on the expertise of trade negotiators from the capitals and Geneva. Communiqué Of Meeting Of National And Regional Parliamentarians From Eastern And Southern Africa .. Read[PDF]

Fostering Equity and Accountability in the Trading System (FEATS):

SEATINI-Uganda together with CUTS-CITEE held an inception meeting on "Fostering Equity and Accountability in the Trading System (FEATS)," on the 15th October 2008 at Hotel Africana in the Capital Kampala.

World Food Day:

SEATINI-Uganda in collaboration with Centre for Development Initiatives (CDI), Volunteer Effort for Development Concerns (VEDCO), Participatory Ecological Land use Management (PELUM) and the Agribusiness Accountability Initiative (AAI Africa Group) organised activities to commemorate The World Food Day celebrations in Tororo District under the national theme “WORLD FOOD SEURITY: THE CHALLENGES OF CLIMATE CHANGE and BIO-ENERGY” and the agreed institutional theme “IT IS POSIBLE TO HAVE FOOD ENERGY AND STILL CONSERVE THE ENVIRONMENT” World Food Day is celebrated every year on 16 October to commemorate the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 1945. World Food Day aims to heighten public awareness of the plight of the world's hungry and malnourished and to encourage people worldwide to take action against hunger.

The World Food Day provided a good opportunity for a cross section of stakeholders from various parts of the country to focus on key issues that impact farmers and their families especially on issues of food security, food sovereignty, climate change and bio-energy and other environmental concerns.

Research and Documentation

SEATINI undertakes or commissions research on trade related matters. The research findings are published in full length manuscripts and smaller Briefing Papers on specific issues for the purposes of providing education to a broad readership, initiating debate and generally giving information...

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Organization & Administration

SEATINI is run by an Chief Executive Director, a deputy director and coordinator of Southern Africa, and a coordinator of Eastern Africa. These principle officers are assisted by a minimal supporting staff and a team of researchers, consultants, and international experts with practical experience in the area of trade negotiations. SEATINI also draws heavily from international organizations such as the UNCTAD, UNDP and the WTO.