Effective Advocacy in UN Processes Workshop – Tanzania

UNA-Finland, UNA-Tanzania and WFUNA just implemented the “Effective Advocacy in UN Processes” workshop in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The workshop, which was held from 11-14 March 2013, was followed by a public seminar titled “Towards a Common Vision for the Post-2015 Development Agenda in Tanzania” held on 15 March 2013.

The 35 participants in the workshop included Civil Society Organizations representatives – including UNA representatives – from Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.

The workshop aimed at bringing together UN Associations and other interested actors from the global North and South. Its purpose is to increase participants’ understanding of the dynamics of different UN processes and to develop synergies for future cooperation in the mid-term time scale (2-5 years).

The workshop’s objectives:

• Provide an overview of the interconnectedness of multiple crises, such as climate, food, and energy crisis, and relevant policies and practices at different levels from communities to international negotiations.
• Enable participants to integrate the crosscutting themes of gender, human rights and vulnerability in their own work
• Provide opportunities to brainstorm for synergies and strategize about raising funds for projects with integrated approach.

The 4-days workshop was highly participatory. Horizontal learning and creative methods were used to promote an inclusive process. Additionally, participants received briefings and presentations on climate change, effective advocacy in UN processes, and human rights advocacy in UN context. Presentations were delivered by Helena Laukko and Jenni Kauppila from UNA-Finland and Irene Martinetti from WFUNA.

This first pilot will be followed by a 3-year long capacity-building program developed by UNA-Finland to be implemented in partnership with WFUNA.

As an outcome of this program, civil society representatives will learn:

• How to work effectively as part of international advocacy networks
• How to influence UN processes both at national and international level
• How to interact efficiently with UN agencies and representatives.

Towards a Common Vision for the Post-2015 Development Agenda in Tanzania

The public seminar aimed at providing a platform to inform civil society in Tanzania about the Post-2015 process and to discuss concerns that Tanzanian civil society may decide to bring forward in this context. 

Panellists included UNA-Tanzania’s President Reginald Munisi, UNA-Finland’s Executive Director Helena Laukko, WFUNA SG Bonian Golmohammadi, and UN Resident Representative, Dr Alberic Kacou, alongwith representatives from academia, civil society and youth organizations.

WFUNA SG Bonian Golmohammadi, delivered welcome remarks and an informative and inspiring speech about the several opportunities for Civil Society Organizations to engage in the Post-2015 process.