Call for Applications

 

Africa Liberal Women Empowerment Programme

 

Managed by the Africa Liberal Network (ALN) with the support of Liberal International, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for freedom, the Liberal Democrats, VVD International, D66 International and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.

 

Location: Hybrid (online and in person – dependent on COVID-19 and international travel regulations)

Africa Liberal Network (ALN) Secretariat Headquarters: Johannesburg, South Africa

Duration: May – December 2021

 

The Africa Liberal Network (ALN) is the alliance family of liberal democratic political parties operating in Africa. The network is an associate regional organisation of Liberal International and is the largest liberal political alliance on the continent, bringing together parties with common liberal, democratic and progressive ideas and operating in more than 30 countries. Its role is to strengthen the liberal democratic political parties, movements, organisations, networks, think-tanks and individuals throughout Africa while defining a common political vision to be communicated effectively to communities on the continent.

 

The Johannesburg-based Secretariat of the Africa Liberal Network (ALN) manages all network related activities, programmes and communication with all stakeholders.

 

The network’s mission is to support and empower political parties, movements, organisations, networks, think-tanks and individuals to grow their support and increase their influence in politics and implement policies of good governance and uphold the rule of law in government.

 

Diversity and inclusion is a priority for the Africa Liberal Network, thus the network launches the Africa Liberal Women Empowerment Programme, in collaboration with our member parties and strategic partners.

 

The Africa Liberal Women Empowerment Programme supports the advocacy of the UN Women, seeks to resuscitate the objectives outlined in the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol), commits to the ideals of the Beijing Declaration and advocates to advance the objectives of the Africa Liberal Network’s Nairobi 2017 Declaration.

 

 

 

 

The Africa Liberal Women Empowerment Programme will be pursued as a two (2) pronged approach regional empowerment programme for women and the political parties they are members of.

Statement of Work: Promoting participatory democracy through women inclusion.

1. Women: these are eligible members of political parties, in good standing. They are candidates intending to contest an internal position within their political party’s national decision-making structure, like the Federal (National) Executive. They can also be intending to contest a representative role in public office in a local or national government structure, like the city council, county assembly, constituency leader and member of parliament. They can also be intending to contest elected executive decision roles within regional organisations and institutions. All applicants to the programme must be endorsed by the respective political party federal (national) leader, chairperson, president or the federal (national) secretary general. All endorsements are understood by the programme managers as agreement that the programme applicant is to be considered to the programme, as a representative of her political party.

 

2. Political party: all political parties of successful applicants are automatically successful to benefit from the programme. These are political parties who value human rights, the inclusion and support of women, gender parity and the impact that these principles have on the nature and levels of women’s participation in active politics and leadership in general. The political parties would benefit from strategic workshops with international and qualified knowledge experts in the fields of including and supporting more women in decision making, election campaign strategies, micro and macro prospect voter targeting, communication & marketing and exclusive fundraising & networking.

 

All independent candidates will be assessed according to the political context of the country of origin or contestation. Participation in the programme is FREE of charge.

 

 

 

 

What you and your political party can gain from the programme:

 

Objective 1: To equip and develop active women to engage in political and civic leadership across all sectors at the local, national and international level. To encourage and enable women to contribute their views and vision in an informed, effective and meaningful way.

 

Objective 2: To engage inclusive political parties and their leading decision makers.

 

• Support active women to advance to their next level: the programme empowers women and political parties to play a more impactful role in their nation’s efforts to stabilise democracy and evolve responsive governance;

 

• Encourage women leaders: the programme aims to empower active women to ascend to decision making portfolios in order to bring in diverse perspectives at decision making platforms and to aim at improving gender balanced representation in political party leadership structures and in legislatures (public office);

 

• Evolve the capacity of women leaders: through targeted career guidance and life coaching, the programme invests in the women’s natural talents and unique abilities to generate effective and sustainable policy proposals and monitor their inputs and implementation;

 

• Initiate a link between political party candidate selection processes and programme alumni: through the programme, initiate a bridge to negotiate policies and structural processes for candidate selection within inclusive political parties.

 

 

Programme Outline:

• Four (4) empowerment workshops covering a range of leadership empowerment methodologies, to provide all the critical skills and knowledge necessary to successfully campaign. These include: political ideology, democratic institutions/ legislature, advocacy/ issue driving, personal leadership and building your story, public speaking, social media, traditional media, personal branding, fundraising, organization and volunteer management, data, research and voter targeting;
• One (1) Africa-Europe exchange workshop initiated by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for freedom;
• Facilitated workshops with key decision makers in liberal political parties;
• Each successful participant to pursue an individual development project, during May – December 2021. This can be tailored around an identified issue in your community, country or political party;
• One (1) graduation and certification workshop at the end of the programme, in December 2021 (all elements of the programme must be completed, in order to graduate from the programme).

 

 

Who is eligeable to apply:

1. Active members of the Africa Liberal Network member parties;
2. You will be contesting an election during 2022 – 2024;
3. First time and returning aspirants who are committed to contest an elected position;
4. Ability to work in English or French;
5. Committed to initiate and lead an issue driving individual development project during 2021;
6. You’re Between the age of 25 – 55 years.

Application Process:

1. Complete the application form in English or French;
2. e-Mail a clear face picture of yourself;
3. e-Mail a biography of yourself (500 words);
4. e-Mail your updated resume (3 pages);
5. e-Mail a copy of your valid passport;
6. e-Mail an endorsement support letter signed by your political party federal (national) leader, chairperson, president or the federal (national) secretary general;
7. Submit your application and accompanying documents by 23:59 GMT of 4 April 2021.

 

What is expected from successful participants?

 

During the programme:

• Fully commit to and engage with all elements of the programme;
• Manage, report and complete the individual development project;
• Be available to learn and discover your personal leadership style. Be open to pursue challenges, open to new ideas and internalize knowledge.

 

After graduating:

• When called upon, be available as a co-facilitator for future programmes;
• When called upon, be available to advise the future of the programme;
• Be available for peer-to-peer exchange programmes;
• Become an active participant of the alumni network and to share knowledge and experience where appropriate, as well as keeping the network informed about your successes and achievements.

 

 

Contact Person:

Coordinator: Africa Liberal Network (ALN)
Name: Nangamso Kwinana
Mobile: +27 73 707 8513
e-Mail: nangamso.kwinana@africaliberalnetwork.org

Apply HERE: http://bit.ly/3cM9OJk

 

#ALNwomen

 

 

 

The African Liberal Network,

Taking into account its Constitution adopted on November 29, 2014;
Considering the Johannesburg Declaration of 2016;
Considering the Liberal Manifesto for Africa;
Considering the Constitutional Review Commission of 15 February 2020;

Noting that the network convenes during the first quarter of each year, the General Assembly which is a mandatory meeting for all members of the network under the chairmanship of its President.

As the supreme decision-making body of the network, the General Assembly is responsible for taking the decisions that guide the work of the network, including but not limited to:

The examination and voting of motions to amend the statutes or their appendices;
The examination and voting of applications for membership or motions to suspend or revoke members;
The proposal, approval or adoption of the schedule of activities for a specified period of time;
The consideration and vote on any motion presented by a member;
The election of the Executive Committee in accordance with this Constitution;
Any other decision necessary for the operation of the Network or the achievement of its objectives.

Noting that the 2021 General Assembly is an elective GA,

Noting the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) over the past 12 months that has affected all spheres of life, governments and businesses.

Noting that the pandemic has forced governments around the world to impose lock-in measures and several other restrictions, including international travel, making it difficult for our members to gather in one place.

The Executive Committee following its meetings on Wednesday, January 20 and 27, 2021, during which it considered other options for holding the General Assembly through an online meeting using applications such as Zoom, which have their own challenges given the limitations of digital communication on our continent,

After having reached the conclusion that this could not entirely replace a properly convened General Assembly, moreover, an elective General Assembly,

Examining at its meeting on Monday, February 22, 2021, the conclusions of the recommendations of the consultation missions by letter of February 8, 2021 from the President to the leaders of the member parties,

Having considered all the guidelines provided by the World Health Organization (WHO);

Having reviewed all guidelines provided by the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC);

The Executive Committee and the leaders of the political parties of the African Liberal Network decide to postpone the General Assembly from 2021 to 2022:

Accordingly,

The duly mandated executive members of the African Liberal Network decide, through consultative engagements, as of February 16, 2021, to support the considerations of the Executive Committee and to postpone the elective General Assembly from 2021 to 2022.

By this resolution, it confirms the postponement of the elective General Assembly from 2021 to 2022.

 

March 2, 2021
Johannesburg, South Africa

Le Réseau Libéral Africain,

Tenant compte de sa Constitution adoptée le 29 Novembre 2014;
Considérant la Déclaration de Johannesburg de 2016;
Considérant le Manifeste Libéral pour l’Afrique;
Considérant la Commission de Révision Constitutionnelle du 15 Février 2020;

Constatant que le réseau convoque chaque année, au cours du premier trimestre, l’Assemblée Générale, réunion obligatoire de tous les membres du réseau sous la présidence de son Président.

En tant qu’organe décisionnel suprême du réseau, l’Assemblée Générale est chargée de prendre les décisions qui guident le travail du réseau, notamment mais pas exclusivement:

L’examen et le vote des motions visant à modifier les statuts ou leurs annexes;
L’examen et le vote des demandes d’adhésion ou des motions de suspension ou de révocation des membres;
Proposer, approuver ou adopter un calendrier d’activités pour une période déterminée;
Examiner et voter sur toute motion présentée par un membre;
Elire le Comité Exécutif conformément à la présente constitution;
Prendre toute autre décision nécessaire au fonctionnement du Réseau ou à la réalisation de ses objectifs.

Constatant que l’Assemblée Générale 2021 est une AG élective,

Notant les défis présentés par la pandémie de coronavirus (COVID-19) au cours des 12 derniers mois qui a touché toutes les sphères de la vie, les gouvernements et les entreprises.

Constatant que la pandémie a obligé les gouvernements du monde entier à imposer des mesures de verrouillage et plusieurs autres restrictions, y compris les voyages internationaux, ce qui a rendu difficile le rassemblement de nos membres en un seul endroit.

Le Comité Exécutif suite à  ses réunions des mercredis 20 et 27 Janvier 2021, au cours desquelles, il a envisagé d’autres options pour la tenue de l’Assemblée Générale par le biais d’une réunion en ligne en utilisant des applications telles que Zoom qui ont leurs propres défis étant donné les limites de la communication numérique sur notre continent,

Après avoir abouti à la conclusion que cela ne pourrait pas remplacer entièrement une Assemblée Générale correctement convoquée de surcroît une Assemblée Générale élective,

Examinant lors de sa réunion du lundi 22 février 2021, les conclusions des recommandations des missions de consultation par lettre du 8 février 2021 du Président aux dirigeants des partis membres,

Ayant examiné toutes les directives communiquées par l’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé (OMS);

Après avoir examiné toutes les directives communiquées par les Centres africains de contrôle et de prévention des maladies (Africa CDC);

Le Comité exécutif et les dirigeants des partis politiques du Réseau Libéral Africain décident de reporter l’Assemblée Générale de 2021 à 2022:

En conséquence,

Les membres exécutifs dûment mandatés du Réseau des Libéraux Africains décident, par le biais d’engagements consultatifs, arrêtés à la date du 16 février 2021, d’appuyer les considérations du Comité exécutif et de reporter l’Assemblée générale élective de 2021 à 2022.

Par cette résolution, elle consacre le report de l’Assemblée Générale élective de 2021 à 2022.

2 Mars 2021
Johannesburg, Afrique du Sud

Me Gilbert Noël OUEDRAOGO présente ses condoléances à la famille du Président Soumaïla Cissé et à son parti.

Ce dimanche 7 Février 2021, en sa qualité de  Président du Réseau Libéral Africain (RLA),  le Président Gilbert Noël OUEDRAOGO, accompagné  du Vice-Président Afrique de l’ouest du RLA, M. Ousmane Ben Fana TRAORE, du Ministre Bocar DIARRA, et des Représentants de l’APR, du RHDP et de l’UFDG au Mali, a présenté ses condoléances les plus attristées à la famille du Président Soumaïla Cissé et à son parti.

Reçu au domicile du défunt à Bamako, Me Gilbert Noël OUEDRAOGO a  assuré la famille biologique et politique de la totale solidarité de la famille libérale et de l’internationale libérale,  en ces moments de dures épreuves.

Le Président Gilbert Noël OUÉDRAOGO a salué la grandeur de l’homme que  le Mali, l’Afrique et le monde ont perdu.

Ayant apprécié cette marque de solidarité, en présence de l’épouse, des enfants, du grand frère, des sœurs et des camarades politiques de Soumaïla Cissé, le Secrétaire Général du parti et porte parole, a salué ce geste rempli d’amour et de fraternité. Pour cela, il a traduit les remerciements de la famille au Président du Réseau Libéral Africain pour sa sollicitude.

Avant de prendre congé auprès de la famille, le Président a été invité à signer le livre d’or, en la mémoire de l’illustre disparu.

#RIPSoumaïlaCissé

The presidential election will take place on the 17 March for all the public force servants and on the 21 March, the citizens will cast their vote for the general and presidential election in the Republic of Congo, which will be crucial for the future of the country.

The Africa Liberal Network takes this opportunity to give its full and complete support to President Guy Brice Parfait Kolélas, candidate of the Union of Human Democrats-YUKI (UDH-YUKI).

The Africa Liberal Network is convinced that the candidacy of the President of the UDH-YUKI is a concrete embodiment of the change so legitimately desired by the Congolese people. Furthermore, the Africa Liberal Network has no doubt whatsoever about the will and determination of President Guy Brice Parfait Kolélas, to carry out the profound political and economic reforms that are necessary to establish a liberal democracy and an inclusive and diversified economy for the general interest of the population.

The network strongly hopes that this election will take place freely, transparently and in a climate of peace.

Gilbert Noël Ouédraogo
President: Africa Liberal Network

The Africa Liberal Network (ALN), Liberal International (LI) and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for freedom (FNF) are deeply concerned by the continued human rights violations in the run-up to the presidential and parliamentary elections in Uganda, taking place on 14 January 2021. These violations include arbitrary arrests, detention, and torture. Reports indicate that many covid-19 restrictions have been enforced selectively, to curtail the political participation of the opposition.

Leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP) and presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu MP, known as Bobi Wine, and his supporters have consistently been the main target of these political attacks. At least 55 people have been killed in the past month during protests against the repeated arrests and detentions of him and other opposition candidates.

Bobi Wine, a popular singer, received the Africa Freedom Price 2019 from FNF. His party recently engaged in the Political Startup Incubator (PSI) project*.

We call on sitting President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for the past 35 years, and the Ugandan security forces to immediately cease all anti-democratic attacks on the legitimate political opposition, and to allow the people of Uganda to have their say in the future of their country. Further, we urge the international community – including the African Union and the European Union – to speak out to condemn and take action to prevent such brutal violations, and to hold the culprits responsible when they take place.

Signatories:

• Dr Hakima el Haité, President of Liberal International
• Professor Karl Heinz Paqué, Chairman of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation and Deputy President of Liberal International
• Astrid Thors, LI VP and Chair of the LI Human Rights Committee (HRC)
• Gilbert Noël Ouédraogo, President of the Africa Liberal Network (ALN)
• Gyde Jensen MP, Chair of the Bundestag Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid and LI HRC member
• Darren Bergman MP, Shadow Minister of International Relations for South Africa and member of the LI HRC
• Rose Sakala, LI HRC member and ALN Vice President for Southern Africa

* a joint initiative of Liberal International, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, the Innovation in Politics Institute with the support of the Africa Liberal Network that seeks to equip liberal democratic political startups with the skills they need to win elections.

Dear Party Presidents,
Dear Members,

The year 2020 which is coming soon to an end has been difficult for all, especially because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Africa Liberal Network continued to function through the organization and monitoring of the various activities in accordance with its set objectives.

2020 was also for some of our members, an election year which ended for some with victories and for others with opportunities to re-assess. I would like to congratulate everyone for the efforts that have undoubtedly contributed to promoting the ideals of liberalism in Africa and across the world.

The health crisis did not allow our us to be physically present and assist everyone as needed, but we managed to show our support whenever necessary. Some of us have lost loved ones during this year. We reiterate the compassion of the network and renew our most saddened condolences. As we are enjoying Christmas festivities, I would like to remind you all that the virus is still there, therefore, let’s observe all sanitary measures, limit our movements and remain on guard.

In terms of prospects, we would like to continue implementing the network’s three-year strategic program, which was severely impacted by the pandemic.

For 2021, our goal is to succeed with the organization of the elective General Assembly scheduled for February-March 2021 in Congo Brazzaville if the sanitary conditions were to improve, making traveling and the Gathering possible.

This General Assembly will also include the examination of the updating project of our fundamental texts led by our brother Olivier Kamitatu and his team whom I congratulate for the excellent work.

In the meantime, I wish you all Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with good health, peace and joy.

Hon. Gilbert Noël Ouédraogo
President: African Liberal Network

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) awards the Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie the “Africa Freedom Prize 2020”.

Date: Monday, December 14, 2020
Time: 13:00 CET
Location: https://www.facebook.com/FNFAfrica/ or https://plus.freiheit.org/africa-freedom-prize-2020

 

In her award-winning works, Adichie relentlessly addresses the central social grievances and political challenges of our time. As one of the most important intellectual champions of women’s rights, she inspires people around the world in their pursuit of freedom.

“Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is the long-lost, undogmatic voice of liberal feminism in the 21st century. She represents the success and self-image of a new generation of African women writers who are increasingly making their voices heard on the world literary stage. In her fight for freedom and self-determination for women, Adichie contributes to the consolidation of liberal values ​​and goals – not only in Africa, but all over the world”

– an extract from the jury’s decision, as relayed by Prof. Dr. Karl-Heinz Paqué, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom.

“I very much appreciate the honour of The Africa Freedom Prize. It is always gratifying to be recognised, and particularly so in this case, to join the good company of others who share my commitment to our beloved continent” – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

The event will be hosted by South African media personality Redi Tlhabi, with a special musical performance by Zolani Mahola.

About the laureate: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was born in 1977 as the fifth of six children in the Nigerian university town of Nsukka. At the age of 19, she moved to the United States to study communications and political science, where she graduated from Princeton University and Yale University. Today Adichie is one of the great voices in world literature. She has received numerous awards for her work, including the National Book Critics Circle Award and the International Hermann Hesse Prize. Her lectures “We should all be feminists” and “The danger of a single story” are among the most watched TED talks. Adichie’s work is translated into 37 languages. She lives in Lagos and the USA.

About the Africa Freedom Prize: With the Africa Freedom Prize, the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Office of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom has been honouring outstanding personalities who provide decisive impulses for the development of liberal civil society in African countries every year since 2016. Previous winners are Mmusi Maimane, Bobi Wine, Gareth Cliff and Hakainde Hichilema.