On 21-22 September 2002, ICMPD and the African Union Commission (AUC) jointly organised a workshop to validate the report «Mapping Issues for Formulating a Strategic Plan for the African Centre for the Study and Research on Migration» in Bamako, Mali in Addis Ababa.
The Validation Workshop took place within the framework of the AU-EU Continent-to-Continent Migration and Mobility Dialogue (C2CMMD), which is implemented by ICMPD through the EU-funded “Africa-EU Migration and Mobility Dialogue”. Dr. Dampha, Ag Executive Director of the Centre expressed his gratitude for the commitment and support to operationalising the Centre, and Ms. Cisse, AUC’s Director for Health, Humanitarian and Social Affairs, highlighted the added value of the support from all stakeholders, as well as the commitment of the AUC and its Member States to ensuring that migration is managed in a coherent manner and for the Mali Centre to evolve into a continental leader in research on migration. Ms. Troncoso of the EU Delgetaion to the AU further emphasised that the Centre will be a great opportunity to shape the legal framework for migration on the continent, and to further inform the dialogue on migration which is at the centre of the dialogue between the EU and the AU.
The event brought together different stakeholders from the AUC; Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Regional Civil Society Umbrella Organisations, Academic and Capacity Building Institutions, United Nations Agencies, as well as the European Commission and its Knowledge Centre on Migration and Demography (KCMD). The participants proceeded to validate the mapping report, which forms the basis for the elaboration of the a five-year strategic plan for the Mali Centre, and discussed key areas of the strategy, including the vision, mission and strategic objectives. Next steps will include surveys among relevant stakeholders and institutions, focus group discussions and feedback rounds to elaborate the strategy.
Background
In 2016, the AUC conducted an evaluation of the 2006 Migration Policy Framework for Africa. One of the priorities of the revised Framework’s plan of action is to build the capacity of the Member States and RECs in managing migration. Against this background, the AUC endorsed a decision to establish the African Centre for the Study and Research on Migration in Bamako, Mali. The stakeholders of the C2CMMD recognise the importance of supporting the operationalisation of the Centre, and it is therefore among the priorities of the Nairobi Action Points, which were agreed upon in 2019.