AFRICAN NETWORK OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS (ANCSO)
Meeting Summary for Second 2025 Plenary Meeting of the ANCSO (March/04/2025)
QUICK RECAP
The meeting involved introductions from various participants, the adoption of the agenda, and the presentation of policy documents and work plans from technical working groups. Key discussions included an overview of the African Network of Civil Society Organizations’ policy manual, challenges and responsibilities within the group, and the progress of various technical working groups. The meeting also touched on a project plan related to Afghanistan, a report from the Capacity, Development, and Learning Technical Working Group, and the need for more commitment from members to meet deadlines.
Resolutions/Next Steps from the Second 2025 Plenary Meeting of the ANCSO (March/04/2025)
• H.E. Lydia Nsubuga to follow up with the leadership of the Research and Evidence Generation technical working group regarding their missing report and remind them to submit it. Other members/participants were encouraged to follow up with their TWG leaders for the same reasons;
• All technical working group leaders to submit their 2025 costed work plans and policies before the next GA in May 2025. This submission was due since February 2025;
• Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje to share the report of this meeting on the ANCSO general platform within the next month;
• Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje to send links to join the ANCSO general platform to members who request it via WhatsApp message;
• Capacity Development and Learning technical working group to submit their full report via email;
• All technical working groups to continue working on their assigned tasks and prepare for the next meeting in May; to enable the ANCSO Steering Group finalize the appointment of the members of ANCSO Country Advisory Committees, and preparations for the ANCSO Inaugural Biennial Convention.
Résolutions/Prochaines étapes de la deuxième réunion plénière de l’ANCSO de 2025 (04/03/2025)
• H.E. Lydia Nsubuga fera un suivi auprès des responsables du groupe de travail technique sur la recherche et la production de preuves concernant leur rapport manquant et leur rappellera de le soumettre. D’autres membres/participants ont été encouragés à faire un suivi auprès des responsables de leur groupe de travail technique pour les mêmes raisons;
• Tous les chefs de groupes de travail techniques doivent soumettre leurs plans de travail et politiques chiffrés pour 2025 avant la prochaine AG en mai 2025. Cette soumission était due en février 2025;
• Le Dr Uzodinma Adirieje partagera le rapport de cette réunion sur la plateforme générale de l’ANCSO dans le mois prochain;
• Le Dr Uzodinma Adirieje enverra des liens pour rejoindre la plateforme générale de l’ANCSO aux membres qui en feront la demande via un message WhatsApp;
• Le groupe de travail technique sur le développement des capacités et l’apprentissage soumettra son rapport complet par courrier électronique ;
• Tous les groupes de travail techniques doivent continuer à travailler sur les tâches qui leur ont été assignées et se préparer pour la prochaine réunion en mai 2025 pour permettre au groupe directeur de l’ANCSO de finaliser la nomination des membres des comités consultatifs nationaux de l’ANCSO et les préparatifs de la convention biennale inaugurale de l’ANCSO.
Maazimio/Hatua Zinazofuata kutoka kwa Mkutano Mkuu wa Pili wa 2025 wa ANCSO (Machi/04/2025)
• Lydia atafuatilia uongozi wa kikundi kazi cha ufundi cha Utafiti na Uzalishaji wa Ushahidi kuhusu ripoti yao iliyokosekana na kuwakumbusha kuiwasilisha. Wanachama/washiriki wengine walihimizwa kufuatilia viongozi wao wa TWG kwa sababu hizo hizo;
• Viongozi wote wa vikundi kazi vya kiufundi wawasilishe mipango na sera zao za kazi zilizogharimu 2025 kabla ya GA ijayo Mei 2025. Wasilisho hili lilitolewa Februari 2025;
• Dk. Uzodinma Adirieje kushiriki ripoti ya mkutano huu kwenye jukwaa kuu la ANCSO ndani ya mwezi ujao;
• Dk. Uzodinma Adirieje kutuma viungo vya kujiunga na jukwaa la jumla la ANCSO kwa wanachama wanaoliomba kupitia ujumbe wa WhatsApp;
• Kukuza Uwezo na Kikundi cha kazi cha kiufundi cha Kujifunza kuwasilisha ripoti yao kamili kupitia barua pepe;
• Vikundi vyote vya kazi vya kiufundi vinapaswa kuendelea kufanyia kazi kazi walizokabidhiwa na kujiandaa kwa mkutano unaofuata mwezi wa Mei 2025 ili kuwezesha Kikundi cha Uongozi cha ANCSO kukamilisha uteuzi wa wajumbe wa Kamati za Ushauri za Nchi za ANCSO na maandalizi ya Mkataba wa Uzinduzi wa Miaka Miwili wa ANCSO.
MEETING INTRODUCTION AND AGENDA ADOPTION
In the meeting, Dr. Uzodinma-Adirieje introduced himself as the host and welcomed everyone. Participants were asked to introduce themselves using a provided template in the chat. Denise, Amb., Ladislas, Mary, FAVOUR, Solomon, Hakimou, and others introduced themselves. Dr. Uzodinma-Adirieje then proposed to adopt the agenda for the meeting. Ekaette moved the motion to adopt the agenda, which was seconded by Ifeanyi. The agenda was adopted, and preparations were made for the meeting to proceed.
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES HINDER POLICY PRESENTATIONS
The meeting begins with the adoption of the agenda and recognition of participants. Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, as President of the network, welcomes everyone and encourages them to overcome current challenges. The minutes from the previous meeting are adopted after a motion and support. The technical working groups (TWGs) are then called upon to present their policy documents and 2025 work plans, which were due 2-4 weeks after the last meeting but have not been submitted. Several TWGs, including Partnership and Collaborations, Advocacy, Resource and Social Mobilization, and Research and Evidence Generation, are called but do not present reports. The Capacity Development and Learning TWG attempts to share a screen presentation but encounters technical difficulties. Finally, the Outreach and Community Engagement TWG reports they had submitted their plan and budget earlier, but received new guidelines they are currently incorporating.
AFRICAN NETWORK OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS
Ekaette provided a detailed overview of the African Network of Civil Society Organizations, explaining its vision, mission, and policy objectives. The policy aims to promote partnership and collaboration among members and stakeholders while enhancing the impact of their efforts on the African continent. Ekaette outlined the key activities, including mapping of civil society organizations, organizing workshops, conducting community outreach, implementing a monitoring and evaluation framework, and providing capacity building and training. The estimated budget for this was $340,000 over 12 months (4 quarters). Questions were raised about the budget and the timeline for the implementation of the policy, but no definitive answers were provided in the transcript.
POLICY MANUAL OVERVIEW AND COMPLIANCE
Ekaette presents a comprehensive overview of the organization’s policy manual, covering various aspects such as employee conduct, workplace safety, human resources, information technology, and financial policies. The manual aims to provide clear guidelines and expectations for employees, ensuring a fair and efficient workplace. Ekaette emphasizes the importance of regularly reviewing and updating policies to maintain compliance with regulations and organizational practices. The policy manual includes specific sections on code of conduct, confidentiality, workplace safety, equal employment opportunities, leave policies, data protection, and performance management.
COMMITTEE STATUS UPDATE AND EXPANSION
Ekaette reports that out of the 13 committee members, only four were present from the beginning: herself as chairman, Solomon as co-chairman, John as secretary, and Caroline as a member. Dr. Uzodinma-Adirieje acknowledges the report and requests that it be sent via email for review. He also notes that the committee now has four members and asks for comments from other participants.
RESEARCH GROUP LACKS ACTIVITY AND LEADERSHIP
In the meeting, Lydia expressed concern about the Research and Evidence Generation Group’s lack of activity, particularly regarding their assignment. Dr. Uzodinma-Adirieje suggested that the issue should be addressed within the group and that the leadership of the group should be involved in handling the situation. Stella proposed that new people with more interest in the work should be brought in to handle the assignment. Dr. Uzodinma-Adirieje emphasized the need for the group to take responsibility for their work and to ensure that it is completed within the given time frame.
WORKING GROUP LEADERS AND MEMBERSHIP ISSUES
The group discusses the need to follow up with absent technical working group leaders who haven’t submitted reports. Lydia agrees to contact the research and evidence generation group within a week. They debate giving groups until mid-month to produce reports before the end of the quarter, or until the next meeting in May. Augustine, representing someone else, asks for clarification on how to join a working group. Dr. Uzodinma explains that new members must first join the general ANSO platform before being eligible for technical working groups, and offers to assist those who haven’t received the link.
TECHNICAL WORKING GROUPS’ PROGRESS DISCUSSED
The group discusses the progress of various technical working groups (TWGs) and their reports. Solomon expresses support for the chair’s leadership and suggests replacing non-performing members with new ones who can complete the assigned tasks. Dr. Uzodinma acknowledges Solomon’s TWG’s efforts and requests the submission of their report. The group also discusses personal challenges affecting members’ participation, including recent bereavements. There is a call for more serious commitment from members to meet deadlines and move the work forward.
CAPACITY, DEVELOPMENT, AND LEARNING TWG REPORT
The meeting discusses the report presented by the Capacity, Development, and Learning Technical Working Group (TWG). Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje explains the structure of ANCSO, including the general platform and TWGs. Members are given two more months to complete their work on plans and policies. The meeting concludes with a motion for adjournment, and participants exchange farewells.
Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje
President, ANCSO/Steering Group