METHODOLOGY FOR ORGANIZING THE DIASPORA

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METHODOLOGY FOR ORGANIZING THE DIASPORA
http://www.paoc-usa.org/diaspora.html
Submitted by David L. Horne
PAOC/RUF Los Angeles, CA

There are a few â€œfactsâ€? to re-state first. Even though there have been clusters of groups mobilizing for particular events, or organizing themselves in various parts of the Diaspora (e.g., Maroons against plantation owners, Haitians against the French, Nicaraguan Afrodescendants for Self-Sufficency, etc.) within the last four or five centuries, since the Maafa dispersal that created the Diaspora, the Diaspora has never been organized as a coherent body. Thus, any effective methodology utilized to attempt a primary organization of this amorphous group will, by definition, not be definitive. At best, any effective methodology to organize the Diaspora will be a Get-Off-The-Ground effort to Get Us Started. In actual practice, elected Diasporans are expected to finesse, adjust, or even radically change the primary methodology based on newer information that will emerge in the next five years. This includes a future transformation of the current AU definition of the Diaspora. Thus, the following â€œMethodology To Organize the Diasporaâ€? needs to be seen as a continuing Work-In-Progress, and not as a fait accompli.

The AU Sixth Region is composed of African and African descendants residing in the USA, Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Brazil (Western Hemisphere) and in Europe. Neither one individual nor one current organization in these six geographical areas can, or is expected to, adequately represent the diverse interests of the Diaspora at the AU meetings. However, it will be through the existing civil society/community-based organizations that such AU representation will be organized and chosen.

Organizing the Sixth Region

I. Each of the 6 sub-regions of the AU Sixth Region will hold caucuses at which representatives to the AU will be elected. It is a requirement/expectation of the AU that such Diasporan representatives be sent from a body comprising as diverse a number of Diasporans in the particular area as is possible, and particularly including women and youth. In other words, Sixth Region representatives are not supposed to self-select â€˜themselves.â€™

II. Existing African-centered organizations, clubs and associations in each part of the Diaspora must take the initiative in their own areas to call forth at least one general caucus of Diasporans interested in the AU process. This would be best accomplished by a small coalition of groups so that resources and personnel can be shared. Properly calling and conducting such a state, sub-regional and/or country-wide caucus is a very serious endeavor and one African-centered organization trying to pull this effort off alone would be severely tested, if not overwhelmed. This caucus, whose purpose would have been explained thoroughly and broadly in the public media beforehand, would be to reiterate relevant information on the AU and itâ€™s invitation to the Diaspora, and most importantly, to elect area Representatives to the AU. In the USA, the latter will be 2 official AU Representatives per state (possibly 100 in all), with 2-3 Observers per state. Thus, in the USA, existing Pan African or other African-centered organizations in each state are expected to contact other African descendants in that state to attend at least one organizing caucus to be educated about the AU, to discuss a Pan African agenda, and to elect AU Representatives from that state. Similarly, African-centered organizations in Canadian provinces, in Caribbean countries, Central/South American states and countries, and European countries, are expected to organize, advertise and hold AU caucuses to elect Representatives. The details of having such elections is up to each sub-regional area, although we recommend that each of the other sub-regions peruse the example provided from California (See below) as something to think about and adjust to the particular circumstances of the specific sub-region. The California example is straight-forward and direct and our time to get this together is rather limited.

III. The ultimate aim of sub-regional elections is to create a body called the 6th Region Diasporan Caucus, which will meet at least once a year as a collective group (a day or two before AU meetings, or some other relevant times) and will include the elected members from each of the 6 sub-regions of the Diaspora. At these gatherings, for any voting decision, based on the current estimates of Diasporan populations, it is recommended that the USA has 3 votes, Canada 1, the Caribbean 2, Central America 2, Brazil 3 and Europe Diasporans 2 (a total of 13 Diasporan votes). All votes on any issue will aim at achieving an African Consensus. In situations in which that is impossible to achieve within the available time constraints, a simple majority vote will determine the decision on the issue at hand. Once the group decision has been made in session, that becomes the official 6th Region Diasporan Caucus position on the issue(s) and dissent is over.

It is also recommended that each of the areas of the Sub-Region (all six areas) create an AU Sub-Regional Caucus (six different Sub-Regional Caucuses, e.g., one for the USA, one for Canada, etc.) that will meet at least once a year in a central location within its own state, region or countries (prior to the annual 6th Region Diasporan Caucus meeting) to organize itself and to acquire coherency and clarity on the interest agenda it will represent from its constituents to the AU.

Additionally, the 5 sub-regions in the Western Hemisphere should collectively meet at least over a conference weekend after each of the individual Sub-Regional areas have met and agreed on their specific agenda interests. This Western Hemisphere Sub-Region collective meeting would then forge a common-denominator agenda that will be taken to the 6th Region Diasporan Caucus to be discussed and integrated so that the 6th Region Representatives sent to ECOSOCC, the All-African Parliament, the Technical Committees and any other AU assignment, will be clear and unified on what interests to pursue in association with helping the AU build a tangible African unification.

ECOSOCC & Other AU Commissions
6th Region Diasporan Caucus
Western Hemisphere Sub-Regional Caucus---Afro-European Caucus
Individual AU Sub-Regional Caucuses (Agenda Consolidation Gatherings)

Individual Sub-Regional Caucuses
(To Elect AU Representatives-50 States in the USA)

IV. In each of the 6 sub-regions of the AU Sixth Region, it is recommended that the following process (with situational adjustments as needed) be followed. On May 20 and July 15, 2006, in Los Angeles, California, this primary process was successfully tested and California elected 2 AU Representatives (plus 2 Observers), one from Northern California, and one from Southern California. Work is now on-going to get the other 49 states to follow suit. (See below a full description of the process utilized in California).

(1) In each of the 6 sub-regions, there must be at least one African-centered group (or coalition of groups) that accepts the challenge of contacting other groups, conducting educational gatherings on the AU, and assisting sub-regional organizations in hosting and coordinating a Town Hall caucus to elect AU Representatives. In many cases, that group should be and will be WHADN, the organization officially designated by the AU to help organize the Diaspora. In other cases, it will be a Pan African group that has educated itself about the importance of the AU invitation and is willing to extend itself into a broader body of organizing work. In the USA, one such group will be the PAOC/RUF in conjunction with Representatives of PANASTRAG-USA. (See below for contact information on these groups.)

(2) In the USA, African-centered and Pan African groups in each state will hold Town Hall Caucus meetings in each of the 50 states of the USA, hold candidates' forums and will elect 2 Representatives from each state, and up to 5 Observers. Voting eligibility will consist of having residence in the particular state, being African American (Afrodescendant) or African descendant, and being at least 18 years of age. In the USA, this will result in approximately 100 elected Representatives, who will each receive training in international diplomacy before attending AU sessions, and who will meet at relevant times in a body to clarify the African American/African descendant agenda and then take that agenda to various AU meetings to help build the Union of African states with the Diasporaâ€™s voice included in that process. From this body of 100â€”which will represent the AU Sub-Regional Caucus-USA--- will be elected/selected the USA Representatives to the AU 6th Region Diasporan Caucus for each available AU position, committee or working group.

(3) Elect each Representative for the AU Sub-Regional Caucus position to serve for a term of two years, and be eligible for election for a second and final term of two years. In no circumstances will a Representative serve more than 2 terms of 2 years.

(4) These 2 Representatives (and Observers) will be elected from eligible candidates by simple majority votes (raised hands or paper ballots). Representatives who violate the public's trust or who demonstrate disrespect for the Black (African descendant) community can be removed by calling a special Town Hall meeting in the city in which the representative was elected, having a discussion on why/why not be removed, and a simple majority vote that approximates the same number and/or percentage of constituents who voted the representative into office. This can only occur after the first 6 months, or after the first 12 months, or before the 18th month of a final term. If the representative is in the last six months of the fourth year of service, such representative will be allowed to finish out that final term.

(5) For this method to be disseminated to other states, WHADN and volunteers from the ROUNDTABLE/FORUM, and the PAOC/RUF will be available to help facilitate state Town Hall meetings, and/or pass out educational materials and advice on how to proceed, when requested.

The Los Angeles, California Example

At a Town Hall called and held on May 20, 2006, 12 individuals were nominated to be AU Representatives from California after an educational seminar was held on who and what the AU is, why it is significant to the Diaspora, the relationship between Pan Africanism and Reparations, and the AU invitation to the Diaspora. Subsequently, the following information was sent to those candidates, data they submitted was collated, a ballot prepared, and on July 15, 2006, 2 AU Representatives and 2 AU Observers were elected for California.

REPARATIONS UNITED FRONT
OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
A COALITION OF ACTIVIST GROUPS
â€œFreedom means nothing without respectâ€?
(310) 967-5871 www.reparationunitedfront.org

June 25, 2006

Dear Reparations Activist/Pan Africanist:

At the recent Town Hall Meeting on May 20, 2006, during the Malcolm X Festival at Audubon Middle School, or immediately thereafter, you were nominated to be an elected California Representative of the Diaspora to the African Union. We will have the final elections on this issue at the follow-up Town Hall Meeting on July 15, 2006. We will elect two (2) AU Representatives and up to eight (8) Observers. The latter can attend AU sessions, but cannot participate in floor discussions nor can they vote. An elected Observer can be designated by other Diasporan Representatives to temporarily replace an elected Representative due to illness or other emergencies.

The address for the Town Hall Meeting is 805 Long Beach Blvd., Compton, CA. Call (310) 967-5871 if you have any questions.

To complete the nominations process, please adhere to the following requirements:

A Please send a Resume or Activities Summary that directly relates to the 10 Minimum Requirements items in the attached article on â€œThe AU and the Diaspora.â€?
B Please send a brief essay (3-5 pages) stating why you feel yourself to be well qualified to be an elected California Representative of the Diaspora to the African Union.

Address: RUF/PAOC
264 South La Cienega Blvd. #1129
Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Both A and B above must be submitted by or before July 10, 2006 or your name will be removed from the list of nominees.

Congratulations on being nominated. Please remember that representing the Diaspora before the AU is a distinct honor. However, it is also completely voluntary. Representatives will receive no financial remuneration for the hard work they will be asked to do.

Stay strong.

David L. Horne
For the RUF/PAOC and the
PAN AFRICAN ROUNDTABLE

THE AFRICAN UNION AND THE SELECTION OF DIASPORAN REPRESENTATIVES IN CALIFORNIA

David L. Horne, Ph.D RUF/PAOC Los Angeles
June, 2006

The future for Africa and for African descendants cannot be taken for granted. It is within our destiny to take charge of who we are and where we are going. Sitting on the fence waiting for others to initiate their agendas while we either react and respond or become victimized again is neither a beneficial nor practical approach to teach to our children who will be our future leaders and policy makers.

The African Union intends to move the agenda forward to unify the continent into a United States of Africa, a.k.a., the Union of African States. Informed estimates anticipate a single African president by 2025. In order to pull that off, Africans worldwide must be involved with their combined expertise, knowledge, finances and mother wit. The African Union has recognized that fact. The AU leadership and members have invited the Diaspora to the table to participate with them in negotiating and discussing Africaâ€™s future. This is a significant honor and the first time in modern history that such an invitation has been extended.

In Los Angeles, as part of that momentum, a Pan African ROUNDTABLE/FORUM was completed during April 7-8, 2006 that brought in both international and local community members to go through an African Consensus gathering and agree on several key points. Most of those points were relevant to the creation of a methodology to organize the Diaspora so that we can accept the invitation made by the AU. Anyone who wants a complete summary of that ROUNDTABLE/FORUM can call (310) 967-5871.

Our task at the ROUNDTABLE/FORUM was to define a working method of determining African American/African descendant representation to the AU (representation from the USA), and if the method worked, to recommend it to other sub-regions of the Diaspora. It is a fact that the ROUNDTABLE participants, based on the pre-existing rules of the AU committee structure and other resources, did reach agreement on such a method for electing AU representatives from California and the other states. The requirements for such AU representatives from the Diaspora are noted below.

By way of background, in 2001, the African Union (AU) succeeded the Organization of African Unity (OAU) as the single, continent-wide body to represent the joint interests of African countries. As the preeminent mission of the OAU was to assist African countries in achieving political independence and economic self-sufficiency, the primary aim of the AU is to achieve a Pan African unification of the 54 African countries into a single Union of African States. The need to involve the Diaspora in the relentless effort that is required to achieve such a Union of African States was recognized and codified in the original Constitutive Act that established the African Union (and officially disbanded the OAU) in 2001. In 2003, and 2005, that Constitutive Act was amended and clarified regarding the Diaspora, such that the operative statement now is Article 3 (q) that the AU hereby ".. invite(s) and encourage(s) the full participation of the African Diaspora as an important part of our continent, in the building of the African Union.â€?

The AU is currently establishing several Diasporan Secretariats in various parts of the world to help to facilitate bringing the Diasporans into this process. There is one already established for the Western Hemisphere (in Washington, D.C.) called the WHADN, one being established for Europe, and one being set up in Ghana (to assist with Ghana's Joseph Plan strategy to attract Diasporans back to Ghana and to Africa as a whole). The WHADN (Western Hemisphere African Diaspora Network) out of Washington, D.C. has a mandate to help Diasporans (who recognize themselves as Africans and African descendants) organize themselves in six sub-regions--Canada, the United States, Latin America/Central America, the Caribbean, Brazil, and Europe. The WHADN has a fully formed calendar of educational trips planned for 2006 to disseminate accurate information about the AU and the Diaspora, and the trips have already started (Howard University, Harvard University, community groups in Connecticut, etc.) There have been several pivotal meetings thus far to push this agenda forward. As examples, there was a meeting of Pan African scholars in Dakar in 2004 to define and analyze the Diaspora, the AU-Western Hemisphere Diaspora Forum in December, 2002 (Washington, D.C.), Addis Ababa in 2003 and 2005 to approve a definition and to clarify a stronger commitment to bringing the Diaspora in, two major New York gatherings in 2004-2005 to begin organizing a Diasporan model, and the Pan African unification meeting in Atlanta in March, 2006. The issue of defining the Diaspora for purposes of representation has been engaged, just not yet completely resolved.

In 2005, the AU submitted to us its own definition: "The African Diaspora are peoples of African descent and heritage living outside the continent, irrespective of their citizenship and who remain committed to contribute to the development of the continent and the building of the African Union." This was the definition accepted during the L.A. ROUNDTABLE/FORUM. It means there are Pan African Black and Brown folk who represent the African Diaspora and who will be encouraged to come forward and invest some time, energy, will and money to move Africa ahead.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR CANDIDATES TO BE DIASPORAN
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE AFRICAN UNION

1. As required by the AU, representatives from the Diaspora must be elected by a credible constituent body.
2. Representatives from the Diaspora must be at least 18 years of age or older.
3. It is not expected that either one individual or one African-oriented organization can adequately represent the diverse interests of the Diaspora as the Sixth Region of the African Union.
4. A person desiring to be a representative must have a demonstrated history of African-centered work in and/or for the Black (African descendant) community.
5. A person desiring to be a representative has to identify with being a member of the African and African Descendants (Afrodescendants) population.
6. A person desiring to be a representative has to have consistent access to financial resources which will allow her/him to travel to Africa, and other sites of AU and AU-related meetings, and pay for related housing accommodations. At this point in history, the AU cannot be relied upon to provide consistent travel expenses for Diasporan representatives.
7. A person desiring to be a representative for the Diaspora must have the ability to write well, or to have access to someone who is able to accurately transcribe meeting notes, so that the representative will be able to regularly report the official decisions of meetings to the Black (African descendant) community to which the representative is accountable.
8. A person desiring to be a representative must have the time to do so, including the latitude to be out of the country sometimes for several consecutive days or weeks on AU business. There will be a minimum of four required meetings a year for Diasporan representatives, including two on the continent, at least one otherwise outside the USA, and at least one national meeting (with the possibility of several other special meetings). Meetings on the continent usually last from one week to one month.
9. A person desiring to be a representative must be willing to attend a minimum of four diplomatic training sessions in order to get properly prepared to represent the Diaspora well at the international level.

- End -

Also see:
African Union Diaspora Representative Election - A glorious day for Africans
http://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/theb.../msg00003.html

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