Forus member, the Southern African Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (SAf-CNGO), formerly known as SADC-CNGO, is at the forefront of catalyzing change in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. In its commitment to promoting dialogue and driving impactful cooperation, collaboration, complementarity, and cohesion, SAf-CNGO is organizing the inaugural Annual High-Level Stakeholder Symposium.  

SAf-CNGO is a regional umbrella organization established in 1998, headquartered in Gaborone, Botswana, committed to engaging civil society and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in regional integration, cooperation, and development processes. With a vision for an integrated community, it focuses on promoting democracy, peace, and good governance. SAf-CNGO emphasizes public policy research, advocacy, and the capacity development of civil society to ensure meaningful and inclusive regional development. Through institutionalized engagement and complementarity efforts, it demands accountability and fosters collaboration with various partners, contributing to, among others, the advancement of climate justice, food security, and human rights at national and regional levels. 

Symposium Objectives 

While SADC as an intergovernmental institution has made significant strides when it comes to influencing development processes, a persistent challenge remains the lack of grassroots and national-level uptake during implementation. Through the upcoming symposium, SAf-CNGO seeks to address this by providing a platform to enable implementation of robust mechanisms and strategic approaches to popularize the SADC agenda within the region. The aim is to bridge the gap between policy development and grassroots understanding, fostering active participation and awareness among citizens and communities in the region. 

The objectives of the high-level symposium include facilitating dialogue, developing efficient strategies for civil society organisations, outlining focus areas and strategies for the upcoming year, and creating a platform for mutual understanding and synergy among civil society organisations in the region. The Forus network is excited to take part in the symposium to increase cooperation and shape development policies and practices across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Several Forus members from the region and beyond will take part in the discussions, while Marianne Buenaventura Forus project manager (Financing for sustainable development) will kickstart discussions on funding for civil society organisations, including donor trends, locally led development and more. 

Anticipated outcomes include a comprehensive working paper with proposed strategies, a clear delineation of roles and responsibilities by stakeholders, and strengthened cooperation, collaboration, complementarity, and cohesion. These outcomes are crucial for contributing to effective regional development and integration. 

Date & Venue: The symposium is scheduled for January 25-26, 2024, in Johannesburg, South Africa.  

Join online here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lR4Sa7ZfTJWAsgTizB6q9A#/