The University of Botswana has accepted to host the 2018 African Union (AU) Model Summit later this year. The Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, disclosed this following a proposal from the AU Southern Africa Regional Office. A delegation from the regional office met members of the UB executive management team at UB on May 16, 2018 to present the proposal.
In its mandate to popularise the AU in the region and also play an advocacy role, the regional office is implementing a programme on capacity building with universities in the region on the AU Model Summit. The AU Model Summit is essentially a simulation exercise of the proceedings of the AU General Assembly. It is a student-based activity, which entails students assigning themselves to the AU member states in different disciplines in order to reflect on various opportunities and challenges confronting Africa's continental integration agenda, in an interdisciplinary manner. Each group studies the member state they represent.
A total of 275 students with each of the 55 AU member states represented by five delegates, are expected to attend the summit whose objectives are to sensitize citizens of all African countries on the African continental integration policies and programmes and what they meant to the ordinary citizenry.
In addition, the summits serve to acquaint participants and audiences on the operations and procedures of the AU policy organs in their decision-making processes as it happens in the General Assembly at policy-making level.
This year, the theme of the summit revolves around the fight against corruption which is a growing concern in a continent characterised by poverty and high unemployment rates, especially of the youth.
The University of Botswana is still to work on the modalities of hosting the summit and then set dates for the summit most likely in August or September when students are back in class.
Professor Norris expressed excitement at UB hosting the summit and thanked the AU regional office for choosing Botswana’s premier institution of higher learning to host the event. The Vice Chancellor said for UB to host the AU Model Summit was an honour in that it would help broaden the scope of students in understanding the role and functions of the AU.
On the suggestion that UB could partner with other universities in the country, Professor Norris welcomed the idea because he said it would reach out to as many young people as possible.
The AU delegation comprised Finance and Administration Officer, Mr Paul Chimenya, Personal Assistant to the Regional Delegate, Mrs Judith Sibanda, AU Southern African Regional Office Youth Coordinator, Mr Chikumbutso Gangire and Project Coordinator, Mr Moffat Kalichero.