Private Sector Development, Agriculture and Poverty Reduction · 2013. 6. 7. · Delegates integrate Corporate Social Responsibility in Code of Conduct for parliamentary-business

CONTENT

• Introduction 2

• Results of the seminar 3

• Background to the seminar topics 4-5

• Speeches and debates 6-12

• Progress reports and action plans 13-14

• Code of Conduct 15-16

• Framework for Action 17

• Participants 18-19

• AWEPA and seminar info 20

NO. 10

REPORT ON THE SEMINAR “UNFINISHED BUSINESS: PARLIAMENTARY AND PRIVATE SECTOR DIALOGUE

ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND AGRICULTURE IN EAST AFRICA AND THE GREAT LAKES REGION”

NAIROBI, 27 – 28 SEPTEMBER 2007

Delegates integrate Corporate Social Responsibility in Code ofConduct for parliamentary-businessrelationships

Parliamentarians stress importance of encouraging

African businesses to embrace international CSR

recommendations P 3

MPs support efforts to strengthen

agriculture as a catalyst for

poverty reductionNational action plans to stimulate agricultural

development in line with CAADP will be high on

the parliamentary agenda P 4

Private SectorDevelopment,Agriculture and PovertyReduction

CONFERENCE REPORT

The seminar was a combined activity oftwo major AWEPA programmes. The

first, called “Fostering the Impact of

Parliamentary Democracy in Africa”, is aprogramme of regional seminars andnational follow-up workshops that aim tostrengthen stability and development inthe Great Lakes Region. Funded by theDutch Government, and running for afive-year period (2005-2009), this series ofmeetings stimulates parliamentary activityin this dynamic region of Africa toimprove humanitarian and socio-economic development, and strengthenparliamentary democracy. AWEPAcooperates with its partners to facilitatethe meetings and to enable all relevanttopics to be discussed in-depth. TheNairobi seminar focused on two of the

In September 2006, AWEPA organised aseminar in Arusha, Tanzania called

Parliamentary and Private SectorCooperation for Sustainable Developmentand Poverty Reduction in the Great LakesRegion. At this seminar, parliamentariansmade recommendations on creating anenvironment conducive to business andimproving access to finance. In addition,they discussed a draft code of conduct forparliamentary and private sector relations,which, they agreed, should be finalised in2007.

These additional steps were taken at theseminar ‘Unfinished Business:

Parliamentary and private sector dialogue oneconomic development and agriculture inEast Africa and the Great Lakes Region’,which was held in September 2007 inNairobi. At this meeting, parliamentariansand entrepreneurs added agriculture tothe agenda as a topic vital to privatesector development and poverty reductionin Africa.

“It is probably impossible to build aprosperous society if one ignoresagriculture,” said Egidius Vareikis, AWEPAVice-President and Member of Parliamentin Lithuania, explaining the strong focuson agriculture. “Almost all majorcivilizations have an agriculturalbackground,” he added.

RESULTSThe seminar resulted in a ‘Framework onParliamentary Action’ to enhanceagriculture and adherence to theComprehensive African AgriculturalDevelopment Programme (CAADP). TheCode of Conduct for relations betweenparliamentarians and entrepreneurs,drafted in 2006, was fine-tuned andimproved.

In addition, the seminar was extremelyvaluable as a means of deepeningrelations between parliamentarians andbusiness representatives in the region, aswell as between African and Europeanparliamentarians.

NATIONAL ACTIONThe Nairobi seminar will be followed bynational parliamentary initiatives, as wasthe case after the Arusha seminar. MPswill inform national media about theimportance of CAADP and have promisedto make related agricultural issues part ofthe agenda of their national parliamentarycommittees. In addition, the Code ofConduct will now be taken forward tonational level.

FUTURE INITIATIVES“The seminar in Nairobi will facilitateintense exchange between parliamentari-ans and the business sector,” said Pär

2 AWEPA Conference Report

Introduction

Granstedt, AWEPA Secretary General, whoopened the seminar. “Cooperationbetween the private sector and politiciansis crucial. It is a matter of good gover-nance, and is necessary to develop aproper infrastructure in each of the countries in the region,” he added.

AWEPA and its partners will continue toenhance interaction between politiciansand entrepreneurs over the next years,Granstedt said. “Economic developmentis kicking off in Africa. It is our commonresponsibility to make sure all regions andcountries benefit from this positive trendin a responsible and sustainable way.”

AWEPA would like to thank the Dutch,Swedish and Belgian Governments forfunding this seminar. •

programme’s four key themes: privatesector development and povertyreduction.

The second programme area covered bythis seminar is the parliamentary supportprogramme “Mobilising Parliaments for

NEPAD (MPN): Towards the MDGs,”

which is being implemented with thesupport of SIDA and DANIDA as its maindonors. This five-year programme aims tofacilitate a greater involvement in theNEPAD process for African and Europeanparliaments, by raising awareness andpromoting parliamentary action in variousareas of development relating to theNEPAD initiative. It was endorsed byseveral main African parliamentaryforums: the Pan-African Parliament, the

Keeping the momentum

Mr Pär Granstedt, AWEPA Secretary General: “Private sector and politicians candevelop a good infrastructure together”

African Parliamentarians Forum onNEPAD, the East African LegislativeAssembly (EALA), the ECOWASParliament, the NEPAD Contact Group ofAfrican parliamentarians (NCGAP), andSADC-Parliamentary Forum. The Nairobiseminar focused on one of the MPNprogramme’s crosscutting themes for2007, ‘Trade and Development: SpecialFocus on Agriculture and Private SectorDevelopment’. Regional seminars on thistheme were also organised for SouthernAfrica (Cape Town, March 07) and WestAfrica (Cotonou, October 07). •See www.awepa.org for more informationabout these programmes, related activities,and AWEPA’s other work.

Seminar inspires plans for private sector development

Supporting business


Results

Anew version of the Code of Conduct

for the relationship between

parliamentarians and businesses, a

parliamentary action plan to enhance the

agricultural sector, and an evaluation of

national initiatives and goals in this area;

these were some of the key results of the

AWEPA-seminar “Unfinished Business:

Parliamentary and Private Sector Dialogue

on Economic Development and Agriculture

in East Africa and the Great Lakes Region”,

held in Nairobi on 27-28 September 2007.

Laying the groundwork for anenvironment conducive to business

and poverty reduction, parliamentariansand representatives of the private sectorin East Africa and the Great Lakes Regionused the ‘Unfinished Business’ seminar tostrengthen relations. Enhancing privatesector development, agricultural growthand poverty reduction were among theseminar’s most important goals.

CODE OF CONDUCT: PROMOTING CSRThe participants discussed the draft Codeof Conduct for Parliamentary and PrivateSector Engagement, originally developedin September 2006 at AWEPA’sparliamentary and private sector seminarin Arusha, Tanzania. As a result of theworking group and plenary discussions inNairobi, the Code now embraces areas ofaccountability for the private sector,including the promotion of CorporateSocial Responsibility (CSR). See page 15-16 for the full Code of Conduct.

The draft Code of Conduct, which stronglyemphasises fighting corruption, will bediscussed by national ad-hoc committeesthat have been established betweenparliamentarians and the private sector.Delegates committed themselves topromoting the Code on the agenda ofnational and regional parliaments, and toseeking its endorsement by prominentbusiness associations in the region.

FRAMEWORK FOR PARLIAMENTARYACTIONIn addition, the seminar focussed on howparliamentarians and the private sectorcan co-operate to make agriculture adriving force for poverty reduction andsustainable economic development.Delegates critically reviewed a Frameworkfor Parliamentary Action on CAADP, the

Comprehensive African AgriculturalDevelopment Programme adopted in2003, in cooperation with NEPAD (NewPartnership for Africa’s Development).Participants said they supported CAADP’sagricultural initiatives in the region.

The Framework for Parliamentary Actionon CAADP, discussed in a working groupand adopted in the plenary meeting,provides parliamentarians with aprogramme of action to increaseparliamentary awareness of both NEPADand the CAADP agenda. This includesgender perspectives and the integration ofCAADP into parliamentary work. As partof the Framework, parliamentariansagreed to give press interviews withnational and local media to inform peopleabout the importance of enhancingagricultural development. They also saidthey would put agricultural policy on theagenda as soon as scheduling permitsand would work with agricultural researchorganisations to make sure the newestinsights into farming methods andagricultural technology are shared withtheir constituencies. See page 17 for thefull Framework.

PARLIAMENTARY PROGRESSDuring country-level working groups,delegates from participating Africancountries and the East African Legislative

Assembly conducted a detailed evaluationof the existing legislative and regulatoryframework supporting business andinvestment in the region. They identifiedachievements made following the 2006Arusha guidelines on creating anenvironment conducive to business, andpromoting entrepreneurship, investmentand trade. Delegates also identifiedprogress made by parliaments in areas oflegislation, oversight, budget,representation and poverty reductionstrategies, and then outlined areas offuture improvement. See page 12 forsummaries of these progress reports andaction plans.

Closing the seminar, Pär Granstedtpointed out that the two-day meeting hadalso been extremely valuable as a meansof deepening relations betweenparliamentarians and businessrepresentatives in the region.Parliamentarians had an opportunity togain a better understanding of the privatesector’s needs, and business peoplegained more awareness of how they cancontribute to national policies on fightingpoverty. The meeting in Nairobi alsofacilitated exchange between African andEuropean parliamentarians on bestpractices in the area of legislation andregulation to support sustainableeconomic development. •

Seminar increases awareness of important agricultural improvements

Forging ties between parliamentarians and business

Participants agree Code of Conduct and Framework for Parliamentary Action

Adopted in 2002 by African Agricultural

ministers and developed in cooperation

with the UN Food and Agricultural

Organisation (FAO) and the NEPAD

Secretariat, the Comprehensive Africa

Agriculture Development Programme

(CAADP) is a programme to revitalise

African agriculture.

CAADP is a ‘living’ programme, whichmeans it is open to continuousimprovement and change, responding to new economic and technologicaldevelopments.

Its supporters envision investment in four‘pillars’ on which to base improvement ofAfrica’s agriculture:

1 Extending the amount of land undersustainable land and watermanagement, thereby increasing thepercentage of arable land that isirrigated.

2 Improving rural infrastructure andtrade-related capacities for marketaccess. This means building more andbetter roads to bring products tomarket, raising the capacity toparticipate in trade negotiations andmeeting the increasingly stringentquality requirements of world trade.

3 Increasing food supply and reducinghunger. This goal should be realisedthrough increasing farm productivity,mostly by introducing improvedtechnology.

4 Agricultural research, technologydissemination and adoption. Researchshould enhance gains in productivity for the long-term. •

Agricultural and private sector development go hand in hand in Africa. Although

manufacturing and service industries are growing fast, agriculture is still one of the

biggest economic sectors, and biggest employers, in most sub-Saharan countries.

Unlocking the potential of Africa’s farmers can play a pivotal role in reducing poverty and

creating sustainable economic growth.


Background

As Hon. Catherine Kimura, representa-tive of the East African Legislative

Assembly, said in her opening speech atthe seminar in Nairobi, agriculture is notonly extremely important to safeguardfood security in East Africa and the GreatLakes Region, but is also a major contrib-utor to export and thus to foreignexchange earnings. Agriculture is also vitalto private sector development in sub-Saharan Africa.

The farming industry still employs themajority of the African workforce.According to experts cited by theComprehensive Africa AgricultureDevelopment Programme (CAADP), theagricultural sector in Africa accounts forabout 60% of the total labour force, 20%of total merchandise exports and 17% ofGDP. Bringing agriculture to higher levelsof efficiency, productivity and profitabilitywould positively affect the largest possiblenumbers of the population and would cre-ate a base for growth in other economicsectors as well.

Millions of Africans still face undernour-ishment due to droughts, floods and war.

Poverty reduction, private sector development and agriculture are intertwined

Agriculture can be a catalyst for private sector development

Many continue to be dependent on foodaid. “Imports of agricultural products havebeen rising faster than exports since the1960s and Africa as a whole has been anet agricultural importing region since1980,” according to a CAADP analysis.

INVESTING IN AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENTInvesting in agricultural development isnecessary to fight hunger, reduce poverty,generate economic growth, reduce foodimports and increase exports. One of the main reasons why Africa stilllags behind other regions in its develop-ment, is the continent’s poor quality oftransportation and energy infrastructures,which places a heavy burden both on busi-ness costs and household incomes. It iscrucial to invest in rural infrastructure, asthis is the key to unlocking the potential ofthe agricultural sector. Improving ruralroads and other transport facilities willmake it easier and cheaper to take pro-duce to national, regional or internationalmarkets. Creating regional markets, bycutting import regulations, will make iteasier to sell agricultural products acrossborders.

ENHANCING ACCESS TO FINANCEJust like all entrepreneurs, farmers will beable to operate more efficiently and suc-cessfully under a transparent and straight-forward framework of economic gover-nance, such as clear rules regardingestablishing a private company, a fair andconsistent tax system and other economicregulations. Access to finance is anotherimportant requirement. The financing ofsmall and medium sized companies,especially those managed by small farm-ers, female entrepreneurs and artisans,requires that the conditions of access tocredit become more flexible and thatbanks provide a wider range of productsand micro-financing initiatives. Creating amature financial market and developing astrong infrastructure, have therefore beenon the agenda of most African and inter-national efforts to fight poverty and boostprivate sector development.

FIGHTING POVERTY THROUGHSTRENGTHENING THE PRIVATE SECTORA large number of organisations havebeen working to enhance private sectordevelopment over the past few years.Their approaches and scope of activities,which were explained during the Nairobiseminar, give a good overview of theissues that have been identified and arebeing addressed in the area of private sector development, agriculture, andpoverty reduction. •

CAADP: Revitalising African agriculture


Background

Useful linksAfrican Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption – www.apnacafrica.org Africa Partnership Forum – http://www.africapartnershipforum.org/AWEPA – www.awepa.org Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) – www.cgap.org Eastern Africa Business Council – www.eabc-online.com EU-Africa Business Forum – http://ec.europa.eu/development/Geographical/europecares/africa/business_forum_en.htmlFood and Agriculture Organisation – www.fao.org International Finance Corporation – www.ifc.org Investment Climate Facility – http://www.investmentclimatefacility.org/NEPAD-OECD Africa Investment Initiative – www.oecd.org/daf/investment/africa Research Into Use – www.researchintouse.com UN Environment Programme – www.unep.org World Bank Doing Business Database – www.doingbusiness.org World Savings Banks Institute – www.savings-banks.com

NEPAD-OECD AFRICA INVESTMENT

INITIATIVE

The NEPAD-OECD Africa InvestmentInitiative aims to foster sustainable

growth and poverty reduction byadvancing private sector development inAfrican countries. Launched inJohannesburg in November 2003, theinitiative helps African governments todevelop concrete measures for improvingthe investment climate and designcomprehensive economic reformprogrammes. The Initiative uses the PolicyFramework for Investment (PFI) and othertools and instruments to identify wherethe obstacles to investment lie. ManyAfrican countries are now using the PFI toassess their investment climate. The latestmeeting of the initiative in November2007 in Lusaka resulted in guidelines forattracting private investment in the waterand sanitation sector.

BIZCLIM

BizClim analyses the environment forprivate sector development in African,

Caribbean and Pacific states and regions,and conducts studies on investmentprospects. Funded by the EuropeanUnion, BizClim aspires to be a think-tankin areas such as public-privatepartnerships, state owned enterprisereforms and privatisation, as well aspoverty reduction.

THE AFRICA PARTNERSHIP FORUM

The Africa Partnership Forum (APF),established in November 2003,

discusses and monitors policy issues,strategies and priorities in support ofAfrica’s development. Its members –African countries, G8, OECD and otherdevelopment partners – work together toensure synergies and coherence withother international forums. The role of the Forum is to catalyse action and tocoordinate support behind Africanpriorities and NEPAD. Recent discussionsat the forum focused on climate change;Africa is the continent which contributesleast to this problem, and yet which ismost vulnerable.

THE EU-AFRICA BUSINESS FORUM

The EU-Africa Business Forum is anannual meeting, organised by the

African Union Commission and theEuropean Commission, to improve thebusiness climate in Africa and promoteinvestment. The first Forum was held inBrussels in November 2006, the second,in June 2007 in Accra, Ghana. Themeetings led to a private sector

declaration and recommendations onways of improving Africa’s businessclimate.

THE INVESTMENT CLIMATE FACILITY

Aimed at making Africa a better place todo business, the Investment Climate

Facility seeks to remove obstacles todomestic and foreign investment and pro-

motes Africa as an attractive investmentdestination. The ICF is an independenttrust with strong African representation.Its chief executive is Omari Issa, aTanzanian national and former chief direc-tor of Celtel, a telecommunications com-pany that is one of the most successfulentrepreneurial ventures in Africa in thelast two decades. •

In March 2007, the European Parliamentadopted a resolution supporting

mandatory reporting on the social andenvironmental impact of business. Theresolution also confirmed the EU’s ambi-tion to be a global leader in promotingworldwide standards on Corporate SocialResponsibility (CSR) and provides anoverview of requirements and issuesregarding CSR.

“A one-size-fits-all method for corporatebehaviour is not appropriate,” the resolu-tion stated, acknowledging that Europeancountries have reached different stages ofadopting CSR practices. MPs supportingthe resolution said that, in order to stimu-late CSR, emphasis should be placed on

developing civil society, particularly consumer awareness and responsibleproduction methods.

The resolution is considered to be amajor step towards bridging the dividebetween voluntary and regulatoryapproaches to CSR. •

What is CSR?Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)is the voluntary integration of environ-mental and social considerations intobusiness operations, over and abovelegal requirements and contractualobligations (definition EuropeanCommission). •

EU aspires to be leader in CSR

Mr Sammy Mwaura emphasised

parliament’s mandate, in particular

its legislative and oversight role.

Concerning legislation, Mwaura noted that

Kenya’s Parliament passes, on average, five

to seven bills per annum, whilst the

Commonwealth average is 30+ bills per

annum. As for overseeing the Executive,

Mwaura is of the opinion that it is “weak

and undermined by bad politics.”

There had, however, also been some“positive progress in a number of

public sector reforms, such as thoseseparating the roles of policy, regulation,and service delivery, whereby policybecame the main function of ministries,and semi-autonomous governmentagencies were created for regulation andfor service delivery,” he said.

Reforms were also implemented under theWater Act 2002, which led to improve-ments in the sector’s performance andstrengthened accountability. “Addressinglegislation and oversight effectively willimprove the country’s business environ-ment as a whole,” Mwaura concluded. •


Speeches and debates

Opening Session

The private sector in East Africa and the

Great Lakes Region can stimulate trade

if it cooperates across borders to remove

infrastructural, immigration and customs

bottlenecks, according to Mr Samuel

Ndindiri, Clerk of the Kenyan National

Assembly.

It is disturbing to see that states in theregion have failed to formulate or

implement treaties and policies to fullyopen up their borders for free movementof people, goods and services, Ndindirisaid. This situation is being exploited byforeigners managing to make more moneyfrom trade with the region than localsfrom the region itself.

Mr Samuel Ndindiri, Clerk of the Kenyan National Assembly

Enhancing regional free tradeSeveral horticultural products from Kenyaare exported to Europe and then re-exported to countries in Africa at greatcost. It would be much more convenientto send these across common borders,cutting down cost and time, Ndindiriexplained.

“There must be deliberate efforts topromote and encourage intra-regionaltrade, joint infrastructural developmentand free movement of people and servicesacross borders as has happened amongEuropean and American States,” he said. •

Hon Catherine Kimura: “Agriculture apriority for parliamentarians”

Hon Catherine Kimura, Representative of the Speaker

of the East African Legislative Assembly

‘Unlock the potential of agriculture’

Agriculture is rightly a focal point when

seeking private sector growth in East

Africa and the Great Lakes Region, said

Hon Catherine Kimura, who spoke on

behalf of Hon. Abdurahin Abdi, Speaker

of the East African Legislative Assembly.

“Iurge this seminar to express itsrecognition of the crucial role of

agriculture for food security, economicgrowth and for underpinning theprocesses of economic diversification.Unlocking the potential of agriculture is– and must continue to be – a majorpriority for national governments,parliamentarians, donors … and theprivate sector,” she said.

The benefit of dialogue betweenparliamentarians and entrepreneurs,Hon Kimura pointed out, lies in buildingsolid foundations for business climatereforms. A continued dialogue betweenthe two is likely to make governmentsmore sensitive to the constraints andviews of the private sector, leading tobetter plans and workable reforms.

Parliamentarians should support theprivate sector, and create checks andbalances. “I urge that your deliberationsshould be sufficiently broad-based so asnot to reinforce vested interests,” Hon.Kimura said. Efforts should be made toinclude small and medium sizedenterprises to build broad support forprivate sector development in EastAfrica, she explained. •

Mr Sammy Mwaura, CEO,

Kenya Private Sector Alliance

Progress made in

regulatory reforms

Mr Samuel Ndindiri: “Promote andencourage intra-regional trade”

BizClim’s CEO, Mr M’Hamed Chérif,

told participants that his organisation

has been helping a number of African

governments improve their country’s

business climate and boost the private

sector. Mr Chérif also said that many

mistakes had been made in agricultural

policies, such as having fixed or stabilizer

prices.

He advised that regional agreementson free trade with a regulatory

framework are the way forward. “Onehas to pay attention to the needs of therural poor, as they are a large consumermarket.” The decision for or against bio-fuels is another important challenge.Harvesting land for bio fuel plants,rather than for food crops, is a dilemma

Mr M’Hamed Chérif, BizClim (ACP Business Climate)

‘Parliamentarians should implement reform and resolve complaints’



Session Two: The state of the business environment in East Africa

Mr Linus Gitahi: “Democracy and a free press reduce famine”

Media can contribute to fighting famine

and ensuring food security, said Mr

Linus Gitahi, CEO of the Nation Media

Group, Kenya.

Kenyan newspapers, such as Mr LinusGitahi’s Daily Nation, played a crucial

role in preventing a major disaster inKenya in 1998 by publishing stories aboutfamine in the Turkana region, a crisis thatthe national government appeared to betrying to ignore and deny. Thanks tomedia attention, Gitahi said, a helpoperation significantly reduced thenumber of victims.

He explained that investing in resourcesto deepen democracy and support popularaccountability and media freedom willprotect more people against theconsequences of agricultural failure. “Nofamine has ever occurred in a country witha free press and regular elections,” saidGitahi, referring to a well-knownstatement by Nobel Prize winner for

Mr Linus Gitahi, CEO of the

Nation Media Group, Kenya

‘Media freedom

sustains food security’

that is already being addressed by Kenya and Mozambique in the WTOnegotiations. Here, Chérif pointed outthat parliamentarians have an importantand influential role to play in draftingand passing legislation.

BizClim currently runs 25 projectsthroughout Africa addressing the issuesof improving the continent’s businessclimate and regulatory frameworks.Chérif noted that “it is not merely amatter of good governance according tothe World Bank, nor corruption policiesaccording to Transparency International,but also a need to actually implementthe reforms and have a system wherebycomplaints can be resolved.” • Mr M’Hamed Chérif: “The bio-fuel

debate is important for parliamentarians”

economics Amartya Sen. Gitahi alsoemphasised the need for Europeanparliamentarians to pressure governmentsinto ending farm subsidies in order tocreate a truly free market for agriculturalproducts. Reducing trade barriers willbring in large funds for investment, andcreate jobs in farming communities. •



Economic integration and cooperation

can reverse the decline of African

products in the increasingly competitive

global market, said Mr Victor Mathale. The

NEPAD initiative (New Partnership for

Africa’s Development) encourages African

leaders to mainstream integration in

development efforts.

While African economic growth rateshave been rising, significant

Mr Victor Mathale, NEPAD/OECD Africa Investment Initiative,

NEPAD Secretariat Advisor on Private Sector Initiatives

‘NEPAD promotes regional economic integration’

progress is still required to reach the 0.7% required to attain the UNMillennium Development Goals andimprove living standards. The Heads ofState have called for “more and activeparticipation of the private sector in theimplementation of NEPAD projects”,especially in regional integrationprocesses which are too important to beleft to governments alone. •

Professor Maggie Kigozi, Executive Director, Uganda Investment Authority

‘East Africa an ideal location for investment’

Due to its political stability and security,

East Africa is an ideal location to

invest in, said Prof. Maggie Kigozi. It also

offers a range of other incentives to private

sector investors such as a stable economy,

good infrastructure, diverse markets, high

productivity, a competitive labour force,

liberalised banking & finance, justice, open

dialogue, and a good quality of life.

Highlighting achievements in politicalstability and security, Prof. Kigozi

spoke of the “improvements indemocracy, a free press, human rights and gender equality”, as well as theconstitution and decentralization ofgovernment.The challenges to be addressed in thefuture are “having more political parties ingovernment, strengthening the electorate,as well as modernising the police forceand the army”, she said. There is also aneed for more cooperation between

Prof Maggie Kigozi: “East Africa is a safeplace to do business”

Debate

In the discussions that followed, ProfKigozi was asked about investments in

Uganda’s transportation infrastructure,given that businesses prefer quick profits,as in telecommunications, to road con-struction projects, such as a good roadlinking Uganda and the DRC. Prof Kigoziagreed there is the need for significantroad improvements with private sectorinvolvement, and suggested that roadtolls could be used to recoup investmentsquickly. Another MP mentioned that whileAfrican countries are struggling for a posi-tion in the world markets, they find iteaser to trade with the West, even thoughstringent conditions are set, than to traderegionally, especially in the COMESA. Prof Kigozi explained that regional tradedoes take place, but that it was not docu-mented anywhere and computerisedrecords are needed. •

Uganda, Sudan, the Democratic Republicof Congo, Rwanda and Burundi. •

Mr. Victor Mathale

as this constrained access to capitalneeded for agricultural development,and to furthermore ensure thatlandowners have security of ownershipand land titles.

Also in this session, Mr Philip Kiriro,President of the Eastern Africa FarmersFederation, said that, “with agricultureperforming well in Africa, it would bepossible to realise economic growth,reduce poverty and enhance foodsecurity.” He stressed the importance of farmers’ associations in adding value to the food chain and improvingcommercial farming. •


Session Three: Parliamentary Engagement with the CAADP

Mr Tesfai Tecle, Assistant Director General, UN Food and Agriculture Organisation

‘Africans must invest more in agriculture and research’

Mr Tecle’s presentation looked at whatAfrican and European

parliamentarians can do to contribute toCAADP (the Comprehensive AfricanAgricultural Development Programme),and why agriculture is so important. Hesaid that agricultural development shouldbe given top priority in the continent’soverall development, if Africa is to tacklepoverty effectively. “Factors hamperingagricultural development, and whichparliamentarians need to address, are:natural hazards, the low integration ofmarkets both regionally andinternationally, not enough privateinvestments, and poor infrastructure,” heexplained.


Debate

One participant noted that if CAADPwas seeking external funding, it

would not be owned by Africans. This iscontrary to development in Asiancountries, which succeeded withoutsubsidies from the West. Africa can learnfrom Asia in this respect, the participantsaid. Tecle pointed out that in the Asiancase national institutions are stable, andthat in Africa this is not the case. He alsonoted that there is a need to invest inresearch and development so thatAfricans can rely on their own capabilities.As for borrowing money, he noted thatboth India and China had done so withgreat success. A participant from the DRCsaid agriculture was a major concern forall African countries, but that each countryhad its own unique problems andtherefore needed its own tailor-madesolution. So far, internationalorganisations, such as the World Bankand the IMF advised all nations alikesimply to privatise. •

Mr Tesfai Tecle: “Parliamentarians mustsupport the CAADP”

Hon Lwanyantika Masha,Chair of the EALA

Committee on Agriculture,Tourism and Natural Resources,noted that “African countrieshave a promising agriculturalpotential with vast naturalresources, some of which are not yet fully utilized. There ismuch good, arable land, as wellas rainfalls and waterways forirrigation,” said Hon Masha. He commended thoseparliamentarians who are holding talkswith businesses interested in providingcapital and financing for agriculturalprojects. He explained that hisCommittee is exploring legislation toincrease food security in the EAC, andthat the EALA is already considering acomprehensive bill on the Lake VictoriaBasin Commission which promotessustainable development of this vitalregion.

According to Masha, agriculturaldevelopment will require agrarian reformas well as land reform, in which land istranslated into capital. He urgedparticipants to move away fromtraditional methods of land ownership

Agriculture reforms and land

reforms are necessary

Implementation of CAADP policies has sofar resulted in both national and externalfunding. The AU, NEPAD and the FAO arealso collaborating on obtaining externalfunds, and both COMESA and ECOWASare planning to hold round-table meetingsto discuss funding.

Tecle called on African parliamentarians topush for increased domestic resources foragricultural development and to campaignto put agriculture at the top of theirgovernment’s development agenda. •

More informationFor more information on CAADP seewww.nepad.org and www.fao.org

“Who lost Africa, and who will reclaim

it?” asked Dr Jennifer Riria, CEO of

the Kenya Women’s Finance Trust (KWFT),

in her presentation. Her answer was that it

was Africans who lost Africa, and it shall be

Africans who reclaim Africa.

Dr Riria said she is an advocate ofmarket diversification, but pointed

out that 90% of shamba work (farming) is done by women, and that if womencontinue to be left out of development



programmes and agendas, nothing willbe achieved. Lack of resources to investin agriculture is a major problem, saidRiria, and there is limited access toaffordable financial credit, especially forwomen. “Everybody has a role to play in tacklingthis problem,” said Riria, “from govern-ments to parliamentarians, to institu-tions like the KWFT.” Riria called on parliamentarians to be continuouslyinvolved in finding funds, not only dur-ing election time. KWFT is doing its part,she said, and has set up an infrastruc-ture which understands the specificneeds of women. The organisation currently has 83 offices throughout thecountry which help women get access tofunds. It has also set up a health insur-ance system with the private sector,specifically for women with low-incomes.

Riria reminded MPs that women are notlooking for handouts, but for an efficientdisbursement of funding to enable themto work to improve their own quality oflife. She also called on developmentpartners to assist. •

Having endured a devastating war in

Burundi the women who survived

organized themselves into agricultural

associations, and thus were able to engage

themselves in income-generating activities.

They were able to do this due to micro-financing, said Hon. Pétronie

Habanabashaka, despite the fact that theagricultural sector was seriously affected

by the war. “In Burundi there are currently26 institutions providing micro-finance,and the government has authorized theestablishment of more institutionsaccording to a national strategy topromote micro-financing, in an effort tofight poverty,” she said.

Prof Cyrille Sigejeje, Secretary-General ofCommerce, Industry, Agriculture and

Crafts for Burundi, furthermore said thatthe private sector in Burundi “welcomesthe idea of private sector and parliamentjoining their efforts in favour of povertyreduction and socio-economic develop-ment.” He confirmed that the Burundianprivate sector were pleased with the devel-opment of the draft Code of Conduct, andlooked forward to working with parliamen-tarians to deepen reflections about thisimportant initiative. •

Session Four: Encouraging entrepreneurship for poverty reduction

Hon Pétronie Habanabashaka, MP Burundi, Réseau des Femmes Parlementaires d’Afrique

Centrale and Prof Cyrille Sigejeje, Secretary General of the Burundi Chamber of Commerce

Burundi is on the road to recovery

Dr J. Riria, Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Women’s Finance Trust

‘Invest in Agriculture, provide Finance to Women’

Dr Jennifer Riria: “Women must be engagedin rural development”

“An entrepreneur is a risk taker,

someone who is innovative in a

business undertaking and knows how to

maximize profits. It is someone who

responds to a market need by undertaking

and operating a new venture, and thereby

assuming financial, professional and

personal accountability for the risks

involved”.

Mrs. Nyambura Koigi, ManagingDirector, Post Bank, said that banks

and other financial institutions are contin-ually involved in training and mentoringentrepreneurs, as well as in advancingcredit and capital. These services, whichplay a significant role in poverty reduction,are also widely available to small andmedium sized enterprises and students.

Providing access to finance is “a powerfultool in giving poor people access toopportunity” she said. “Handouts are notthe answer; affordable products and serv-ices are needed, and these can only begiven where people are entrepreneurialand where it is demand-driven.” Althoughwomen entrepreneurs can face culturaldifficulties and lack of support, women’ssupport groups noted that men are begin-ning to appreciate the value of women’senterprise for the whole family. Of thePost Bank’s one million clients, 49% arewomen. •

Mrs. Nyambura Koigi, Managing

Director, Post Bank Kenya, Chair

of the World Savings Banks

Institute Africa Group

Entrepreneurs are crucial

for a healthy economy

Debate

In the plenary discussions that followed,many questions were raised, such as

whether the KWFT also enhanced jobcreation for women in areas other thanagriculture. Dr Riria explained that

currently the KWFT primarily deals withlow-income women who have no accessto specifically adapted ICT products. Inthe long run, she hopes that, “with betteraccess to education, ICT, and financing,women will be able to branch out intomore diverse fields of work.” •



Session Five: Best practices for parliamentary and private sector cooperation

Mr Augustine Ruzindana, Chairman of the African Parliamentarians

Network Against Corruption, Former Ugandan MP

Enforce the codes of conduct

The aim of the African Parliamentarians

Network Against Corruption (APNAC),

said its Chairman, Mr Augustine

Ruzindana, is to fight corruption on the

African continent by bringing together

Africa’s parliamentarians in national,

regional and international seminars,

conferences and workshops in an effort to

empower and make them appreciate their

role in controlling the spread and

entrenchment of corruption.

These gatherings of parliamentariansenable them to develop links with

oversight committees in other parliamentsacross Africa, and sensitises them to thevarious codes of conduct, such as those

of Corporate Social Responsibility. TheAPNAC hopes “parliamentarians willbecome part of their country’s solutions,rather than being part of the problem,which is how they are perceived by thepublic in Africa.”

In many situations, Ruzindana said,parliamentarians will have to makedecisions which may affect their privateinterests and those of their friends,relatives and associates and they need torealize that, at times, this could lead to aconflict of interest. “All parliamentariansare bound by codes of conduct for suchsituations, but the problem is that thesecodes are not upheld,” he said. •

Hon Hubert Masala, Deputy Chair of theFinance and Economy Committee of theDRC, argued that market forces in theDRC should be followed, pointing out thatthis is the best way to use the country’svast amount of natural resources. “Theprivate sector,” he said, “plays a veryimportant role in the economy”, andadded that there is a provision in theDRC’s Constitution which stipulates thatthe state should encourage public-privatepartnerships and investments, and thatno-one can lose private property withoutbeing adequately compensated. TheConstitution also has a significant provi-sion on agriculture, which parliamentari-ans should use in their collaboration withthe private sector, he said.

Mr Isaac Dallushi, Vice-President of theTanzania Chamber of Commerce,explained that over time in Tanzania, theprivate sector had built up a strong rela-tionship with the government. Relations atthe grass-roots level, for example betweenMPs and farmers, are also very importantand should be strengthened.

Mr Arun Devani, Chairman of the EastAfrica Business Council, voiced his con-cerns about the large-scale movement ofpeople from rural areas to urban areas,leaving the elderly behind to tend to thefarming. He said innovative micro-financeschemes should be shared across theregion, and that projects should beassessed on their sustainability, effective-ness and potential for improving quality oflife and reducing poverty. •

Private Sector is the

way forward

Mr Peter Acquah, Deputy Director of the United Nations

Environment Programme, Regional Office for Africa

‘Create a sound basis for Sustainable Development’

The 1972 Stockholm Conference on theenvironment caused many to “reflect,

for the first time, on our planet’ssustainability,” said Mr Peter Acquah,Deputy Director of the UNEP Regionaloffice for Africa. Twenty years later, the UNconference in Rio de Janeiro in 1992,helped governments rethink theireconomic development and find ways toput an end to the destruction of naturalresources and reduce pollution. At theWorld Summit for SustainableDevelopment in Johannesburg in 2002,world leaders met to review the progress

that had been made thus far, and toreaffirm their commitment to theagreements made in Rio. “Parliamentarians have a crucial role toplay in all efforts that could lead tosustainable development,” said Acquah.Parliamentarians can ensure thateffective policies, legislation andprocedures are in place to achieve theircountry’s development objectives and the Millennium Development Goals.Equally crucial, said Acquah, is theoversight role of parliamentarians.

The private sector also has a central rolein development and poverty reduction.Where there is a healthy, vibrant andresponsible private sector, there aregreater possibilities for sustainabledevelopment and economic growth,Acquah explained. Concluding, Acquahsaid that “it is incumbent onparliamentarians and the private sectoralike to co-operate in establishing asound basis for sustainabledevelopment.” •

Debate

A participant from the DRC said theWorld Bank had pushed the DRC

to liberalise the extraction of minerals.She referred to these mining regions asplaces of “human catastrophe” becausethe mining had resulted in deforestation.Acquah replied that the UNEP had amission in the DRC to help withenvironmental law and capacity building, and that mining companiesshould follow Corporate SocialResponsibility standards. •

Mr Peter Acquah: “Parliamentarians crucialfor sustainable development policies”



Closing

‘Intensify contacts between African and European MPs’

Hon Mike Rugema, Member ofParliament in Rwanda, who had also

attended AWEPA’s Arusha seminar in2006, was pleased that the private sectorhad been fully engaged in the seminar,and that constructive dialogues hadresulted. Hon Egidijus Vareikis, Member ofParliament in Lithuania and AWEPA Vice-President, praised MPs for thecommendable work done in the workinggroups and voiced his optimism about thefuture of African agriculture. Mr Samuel

Ndindiri, Clerk of the Kenyan Parliament,urged participants to consider the‘unfinished’ business by carefullyfollowing up the Code of Conduct andFramework for Parliamentary Action at anational level. At the close of the seminar,

Hon Mary Mugyenyi, Member of the Pan-African Parliament and MP in Uganda,called on African and Europeanparliamentarians to intensify theircontacts to “learn from each other”.

AWEPA would also like to thank thefollowing Session Chairs for their invaluableefforts: Hon Professor A. Olweny, MP forKenya; Hon Winifred Masiko, MP forUganda and Member of the NEPADContact Group of African Parliamentarians;Hon Kilontsi Mporogomyi, MP forTanzania; and Mr John Corrie, formerMember of the European Parliament; Mr Tony Worthington, former UK MP and consultant, Research Into Use. •

Hon Mary Mugyenyi: Pan-AfricanParliament Member closed the seminar

Aid Effectiveness

The Paris Declaration on Aid

Effectiveness can be an inspiration to

enhance private sector development,

indicated Mr Joe Frans, former MP from

Sweden.

The Paris Declaration on AidEffectiveness was adopted in March

2003 by more than one hundred donorand developing countries. By signing thedocument, they agreed for the first timeto measure their success at making aidmore effective, with a set of indicators

and targets. The Paris Declarationpromotes a model of partnership thatimproves transparency and accountabilityon the use of development resources. Itrecognises that for aid to become trulyeffective, stronger and more balanced,accountability mechanisms are required.

Some of the wealthiest and poorestcountries from across the world signed upto some fifty commitments to make aidmore effective. Commitments are brokendown into five areas: ownership,

alignment, harmonisation, managing forresults and mutual accountability.Donorcountries, for example, agreed to baseany conditions on aid to developingcountries on that country's own PovertyReduction Strategy (PRS). In turn,developing countries, with the assistanceof donors, agreed to reform nationalsystems wherever necessary to improvetheir capacity to manage developmentresources.Indicators to measure progress werealso established and an ongoingevaluation process of the Declaration isbeing coordinated by the OECD-DAC. •For more information see: www.oecd.org – DevelopmentCooperation Directorate (DCD-DAC)/Aid Effectiveness

Mr. Joe Frans, former MP from Sweden


Country Progress Reports and Action Plans

During the seminar participants broke down into country-level workinggroups to evaluate progress made towards improving the businessenvironment, particularly since the 2006 Arusha seminar. In addition, keypoints for future action were outlined. A summary of the key elements ofthese discussions is as follows:

Eritrea

Progress Made

Action to be taken

Burundi

Progress Made

Action to be taken

• Parliamentary questions raised to the government regarding private sector issues• Law passed to simplify administrative and tax operations• Parliamentarians actively lobby to promote business in their regions and attract investment in

their constituencies• Plan workshop about how to further simplify administrative and tax operation;• Promote exchanges of information and dialogue between parliamentarians and the private sector• Parliamentarians and the private sector commit to attend joint meetings concerning NEPAD and

other multilateral institutions

• Tax laws were revised in 2005 and there is a stop investment centre• Community development bank established • Zero tolerance corruption laws• Stakeholder meetings planned

• Tax policy was amended in 2006 and there is a stop investment centre• Corruption commission established in parliament, with an Ombudsman• Agency to promote SMEs (especially youth and women) reports to parliament• Workshops held on COMESA and the WTO• Parliamentary quarterly spending check, and semi-annual field visits

Ethiopia

Progress Made

Action to be taken

• There is now a joint committee of MPs/Private sector in the National Assembly of the DRC• Parliamentary Border Trade committees have been formed• MPs are in the process of voting for a Bill to fight against corruption• Meetings between MPs and representatives of the private sector will be organized 3 times

per year• Harmonization of legislation concerning tax and border trade

Democratic Republic of Congo

Progress Made

Action to be taken

• After UNDP study on trade and investment obstacles, parliament discussed and adoptedsolutions e.g. Investment code, labour laws, arbitration, one stop investment centre

• Corruption hotline• Fund established for SMEs with a microfinance system focused on women and an anti-poverty

programme• Regular annual workshop on COMESA• Undertake study to evaluate what solutions have achieved• Parliamentary enquiry on inflation planned• Prioritise youth, women and rural communities in PRSP

Djibouti

Progress Made

Action to be taken

• Parliamentary stakeholders, such as KEPSA, lobby Parliament on private sector bills underdiscussion

• Parliament has supported the business sector, e.g. ICT goods have been ‘zero-rated’, traderegulations improved

• Parliament has passed a National Youth Policy – Youth Fund and a Women’s Fund to stimulatethe growth of entrepreneurs

• Although civil society representatives made inputs into the action plan, it will only be finalised with parliamentarians after the election

Kenya

Progress Made

Action to be taken


Country Progress Reports and Action Plans

• The Anti-Corruption Act 2007 was passed in April 2007• Tanzania has begun the APRM process• The Tanzania Investment Centre has reduced the time taken to license a business from 6 months

to 14 days• Parliamentary Committees are involved in supporting the President’s actions to improve the

private sector• Set up a formal consultation structure with the private sector for relevant bills• The Committee on Trade and Investment will initiate meetings with the NEPAD Secretariat and

establish a NEPAD Unit in the Parliament• Parliamentary Committees will follow up on the EAC Customs Union, investment streamlining in

the EAC, and the APRM process• Review laws relating to private sector development and agriculture to propose amendments and

reviews where necessary• Distribute and review PRSP/NDP documents in Parliament

Tanzania

Progress Made

Action to be taken

• The Parliament has established the following: IGG Statute, Leadership Code, Court Tribunal,Commercial Court and Tax Appeal Tribunal

• An industrialization policy is in draft form• The Parliament supports model business enterprises such as NAADS, BIDCO, Sugercane

industries, coffee growing scheme • Parliamentary Committees consult stakeholders on specific issues• Improve the Investment Code and other commercial laws, and urge a speeding up of such bills

through Parliament• Reduce non-tariff barriers e.g. police stopping of commercial vehicles• Develop a position paper to enhance and influence a favourable budget for private sector

performance

UgandaProgress Made

Action to be taken

• Consultations between Parliament and the Rwanda Private Sector Federation have taken place• Key laws have been enacted on corruption, money laundering, facilitating investment, a code of

conduct of political leaders, land registration, environment and company registration• Rwanda was the 1st country to be Peer Reviewed by the APRM• A Research Unit to better inform parliamentarians is established• Key institutions to support investment have been set up e.g. RIEPA, RBS and RURA• National Parliamentary and Private Sector workshop (Nov 07)• Parliamentary meetings with stakeholders• Analysis of the 2008 budget in support of Rwanda’s Economic Development and Poverty

Reduction Strategy (EDPRS)

Rwanda

Progress Made

Action to be taken

• Agriculture and Trade and Investment Committees visited Lake Victoria ports before passing thelaw to regulate the Lake Basin

• Consultations in Mombasa and Dar es Salaam during the harmonisation of the EA Customs Union• Consultations with the East African Business Council, the World Bank and the African

Development Bank• Trade regulations and security surveillance implemented along common borders to improve

business• Further consultations with business and agricultural stakeholders • Further harmonisation of cross-border trade and taxation policy across the EAC with Rwanda and

Burundi joining• Support policies to promote safe and economic development of the Lake Victoria Basin,

the East African coastline and infrastructure• Set up a parliamentary information centre over the next 3 years

EALA

Progress Made

Action to be taken

• Bills voted on in the 10 and 11th Session of the RC’s Parliament, and conventions ratifiedconcerning harmonization of legislation on tax and border trade

• In cooperation with the Ministry of Women, MPs support SMEs• Parliamentary Committee on the Economy now cooperates closely with the Dep. of Agriculture• Simplify visa delivery systems to improve cross-border trade • MPs will sustain and promote policies to further support SMEs, especially for women and

young people• MPs will promote companies which offer best practice examples for the agricultural sector

Republic of Congo

Progress Made

Action to be taken

Draft code of Conduct – For Discussion

PREAMBLE

We, participants at the AWEPA seminarin Nairobi, have set out to establish

principled co-operation between businessand parliaments in the interests of further-ing sustainable development within Africa.

This document is a reflection of discus-sions that have taken place in expert draft-ing committees and during the plenary ses-sions of both the Arusha seminar inSeptember 2006, and the Nairobi seminarin September 2007. It is expected that thisdocument will now be discussed andadapted at national level.

We are mindful of a number of the mostimportant legislative foundations for sus-tainable development and human rights inAfrica, including the African Charter onHuman and Peoples’ Rights, the Protocolto the African Charter on Human andPeoples' Rights on the Rights of Women inAfrica, the African Union Convention onPreventing and Combating Corruption, theAfrican Charter on the Rights and Welfareof the Child and the African Convention onthe Conservation of Nature and NaturalResources (Revised Version).

PRINCIPLES OF ENGAGEMENT

We respect democratic principles, demo-cratic institutions, the rule of law, includingthe independence of the parliament, judici-ary and electoral commission, and the prin-ciples of good governance

We will build relationships based on ashared trust and a personal and profession-al commitment to cooperating ethically.

We are committed to cooperating legally,honestly and transparently.

We embrace diversity and multiculturalism.

We respect one another and strive for aninclusive, tolerant environment free fromviolence, discrimination, intimidation, andharassment.We recognise the legitimacy of interest ofdefined stakeholders and we respecthuman rights in all circumstances.We reject both corruption and immunityfrom prosecution.

IMPLEMENTING OUR AIMS

We will endeavour to prevent the illegal anddestructive exploitation of resources, thedestruction of livelihoods, the violation ofhuman rights, the violation of employmentrights and labour rights, the violation ofland rights and we will seek to safeguardenvironmental justice.

We will strive to prevent excessive priceincreases for goods or services which willadversely affect society.

We will promote business practices whichare not destructive to the environment. We will prohibit use of environmental harm-ful products and processes. We will promote the respect of the rights ofcommunities and in particular the disadvan-taged sections of society.

Account should be taken of the views andinterests of local communities:

• Tapping local and indigenous knowledgein project development and implementa-tion

• Encouraging effective participation amongall stakeholders in decision-making

• Involving all stakeholders, includingwomen, youth and local communities, inintegrated planning and management ofland and water resources

• Encouraging the role of the local mediaand of local communities as watchdogsfor effective and transparent delivery ofprojects

• Provide legal advice to local communitieswhere necessary to help them protecttheir property and intellectual propertyrights all within local and national laws.

We will seek to ensure the financial, socialand environmental prudence of enteringinto public-private partnership (PPPs) proj-ects, advocating prior measures such asthorough needs analyses, budget analysesand feasibility studies.

We will seek to ensure that the best princi-ples and practices are upheld in relation tosafety, health, the environment and sustain-able service delivery management on projects.

We will seek to encourage, facilitate andprovide incentives for socially-conscious andenvironmentally-conscious entrepreneurshipwhose aims are not purely profit-motivated.

IMPLEMENTING OUR PRINCIPLES

We undertake to comply with all laws, regu-lations and standards that apply to the vari-ous activities.

We will uphold the professional standardsand rules applicable to us.

We will satisfy all the relevant requirementsestablished in procurement documents andbehave ethically and legally in all procure-ment processes, including the tenderingprocess. We will adopt codes to tackle corruptionand persist in the enforcement thereof, inaccordance with the African UnionConvention on Preventing and CombatingCorruption.Where we are of the opinion that the objec-tives or activities of any party may beunethical, illegal or contrary to good profes-sional practice, including this Code ofConduct, we are obliged to inform the rele-vant authority.

We will not tolerate the recommendation ofany services of any business or organisa-tion in which there is an undisclosed finan-cial, commercial or other interest on behalfof one of the parties.

We will not seek to use our influence,including financial influence, directly orindirectly to secure an undue advantage.

We will behave at all times in a profession-al, ethical and reasonable manner and shallnot bring unreasonable or undue pressureor influence to bear on our activities. Wewill treat all public officials, at all times,with courtesy and respect.

We will respect and protect confidentialinformation in accordance with local andnational law and professional standards.

We acknowledge that each of us is respon-sible for keeping our professional knowl-edge up-to-date, for sharing best practices,and for not using confidential informationfor personal gain.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PRIVATE

SECTOR

We emphasise the need to use easilyunderstandable language so as to encour-age companies to promote CorporateSocial Responsibility (CSR). >>


Code of Conduct

Towards a Code of Conduct for Parliamentary and Private Sector Engagement

NAIROBI, KENYA, 27-28 SEPTEMBER 2007

We believe that increasing social andenvironmental responsibility by business,linked to the principle of corporateaccountability, represents an essentialelement in meeting the social challenges ofeconomic globalisation;

We recognise that a debate remains openamong different stakeholder groups on anappropriate definition of CSR and that theconcept of 'beyond compliance' may enablesome companies to claim socialresponsibility while at the same time notrespecting local or international laws.

We recognise that CSR is the voluntaryintegration of environmental and socialconsiderations into business operations,over and above legal requirements andcontractual obligations; believe that CSRpolicies should be promoted on their ownmerits and should represent neither asubstitute for appropriate regulation inrelevant fields, nor a covert approach tointroducing such legislation;

We believe that CSR should tackle newareas such as lifelong learning, theorganisation of work, equal opportunities,social inclusion, sustainable developmentand ethics, so as to operate as anadditional instrument for managingindustrial change.We note a contradiction betweencompetitive sourcing strategies bycompanies seeking continuousimprovements in flexibility and cost on theone hand and voluntary CSR commitmentsseeking to avoid exploitative employmentpractices on the other; we welcome furtherdialogue on this point;

We recognise that CSR is an importantdriver of business and calls for theintegration of social policies such as the

respect for workers’ rights, a fair wagespolicy and non-discrimination.

We emphasise that social and environmentalresponsibility applies to governmental andnon-governmental organisations as much asit does to business.

We consider that, as part of CSR, companiescould sponsor cultural and educationalactivities that offer added value to nationaland regional policies in the field of cultureand lifelong learning;We call on national governments andregional organisations to take the experienceof the fair trade movement into account andto explore systematically how thatexperience could be used in the context ofCSR;We call on transnational companies withproduction facilities in third countries to,abide by core ILO standards, social andenvironmental covenants and internationalagreements to achieve a worldwide balancebetween economic growth and higher socialand environmental standards;We emphasise the importance of promotingwomen’s employment while combatingdiscrimination within a CSR framework, toencourage increased participation of womenin all levels of leadership.

We believe that the potential impact of CSRpolicies remains greatest in relation tocompanies' global supply chains, to enableresponsible investment by companies toassist in the fight against poverty indeveloping countries, to promote goodworking conditions, to support principles offair trade and good governance, as well as toreduce the incidence of breaches ofinternational standards, including labourstandards, by corporations in countrieswhere regulatory regimes are weak or non-existent;

We believe that there should be an ongoingdialogue between parliamentarians and theprivate sector on all aspects of CSR.

RESPECTING THE CODE

The Code of Conduct applies to everyoneinvolved in Private Sector/ParliamentaryEngagement, regardless of their individualrole or position.

We promote and support the Code ofConduct in our day-to-day activities,through both personal leadership andprofessional practice.

We encourage consultation and seekadvice, as appropriate, from the resourcesavailable to assist in the application andmonitoring of the Code.

We will protect against discrimination orretaliation of any kind for reports of illegalor unethical behaviour, made in good faith.

We will protect against any malicious orfalse allegations of corruption.

APPLICATION OF THE CODE

We propose that the Draft Code be tabledfor discussion in each Parliament and inthe Pan-African and European Parliaments,regional parliaments and ACP-EU JointParliamentary Assembly.

We propose AWEPA to provide an EthicsHotline to deal with sensitive ethical issuesraised in the Code. This will be used, forexample, to notify AWEPA about any inappropriate pressure exerted on us.

We propose AWEPA to help train our staffabout the Code’s principles, and to assistin developing continuous training in thisarea.

We aim to achieve mutual international co-operation in enforcing the code throughoutthe continent of Africa and Europe.

We aim to harmonise the Code of Conductwith existing treaties and laws, or viceversa.

We recommend that the code is circulatedto business associations and chamber ofcommerce for guidance and discussions.

The Code of Conduct can also be found onthe AWEPA website at www.awepa.org.


Code of Conduct

PREAMBLE

Agricultural development in Africa is a vitalcomponent of poverty reduction, asrecognised in the Comprehensive AfricanAgricultural Development Programme(CAADP) adopted in 2003. In order toensure the implementation of CAADP,parliamentarians have a crucial role to play,at national, regional and Pan-African level,in cooperation with initiatives by theRegional Economic Communities.

Considering the Maputo Declaration onAgriculture and Food Security in Africa atthe African Union Summit (July 2003)where African Heads of State andGovernment agreed to implement theCAADP by making agriculture a top priorityand raising budget allocations foragriculture to a minimum of 10% of theirindividual countries’ total public spendingby 2008 in order to contribute to economicgrowth throughout the region;

Convinced of the importance of theProtocol to the African Charter on Humanand People’s Rights on the Rights ofWomen in Africa (2003) stating thatwomen have the right to nutritious andadequate food, and that all appropriatemeasures should be taken to facilitatewomen’s access to land and to guaranteetheir right to property, whatever theirmarital status;

Mindful of the Action Plan of theEnvironment Initiative of NEPAD adoptedby African Heads of State and Governmentat the African Union Summit in Maputo(2003) which provides an appropriateframework for the establishment of astrong partnership for the protection of theenvironment between Africa and itspartners, based on the commitmentscontained in the United NationsMillennium Declaration;

Noting the important work andrecommendations of the Cape TownProclamation: “Parliamentarians’Recommendations Supporting CAADPGoals in Championing AgriculturalSuccesses for Africa’s Future” (May 2006)which identifies actions that should becarried out by various actors, includingparliamentarians;

Recalling the resolutions of Heads of Stateand Government of the African Union atthe Abuja Food Security Summit, the Fish

for All Summit, the Africa Fertilizer Summitand the Cocoa Summit (2006);

It is resolved that:At the request of the African UnionCommission, in keeping with the urgentappeal of the AU Heads of State, and inalignment with the NEPAD and AWEPAcommitment to the promotion ofparliamentary action on MDGs,

Parliamentarians attending the aboveseminar commit themselves to undertakeone or more of the following actions and topromote the broad participation of fellowparliamentarians in such actions, within thenext twelve months:

• National and Constituency PressConferencesImmediately upon return from thismeeting, interviews will be given withnational and local media representativesto inform people about developments.Subsequent briefings will endeavour toshare success stories of agriculturalinnovation, which contribute to theCAADP agenda.

• Parliamentary and Public Hearings onCAADP and incorporated national plansAs soon as scheduling permits, hearingswill be held to comprehensively informparliamentary colleagues in a multi-sectoral and integrated manner, and tolisten to the views of civil society, theprivate sector and the internationalcommunity on agricultural policyrecommendations.

• Debate in Standing Committee onAgriculture and other relevant portfolioCommitteesSeminar participants who sit on theAgricultural Committee in parliament willagree with the Chair on adding CAADPas an agenda item.

• Parliamentary Resolution on a White PaperWhere a current White Paper onAgriculture is not yet available, seminarparticipants will formally request this byparliamentary resolution.

• Capacity Building and Research to supportparliamentariansContinuous capacity building forparliamentarians to provide them withupdated information to facilitateinformed debate and decision making is

a crucial part of the NEPAD and CAADPimplementation processes and should befacilitated. Special attention should begiven to training and information in thisfield for newly-elected parliamentarians.

• Role of ResearchNational and International AgriculturalResearch Organisations are urged to workwith parliamentarians so that they may allbring together the benefits of existingresearch to their country and to theirconstituencies and thus reduce povertyand promote economic development.

• Local workParliamentarians should work actively insupport of rural and agriculturaldevelopment in their own constituencies.This could include encouraging research,training, extension services and privatesector development.

• Monitoring and EvaluationThe programme partners of the MobilisingParliamentarians for NEPAD (MPN)programme will undertake an ongoingmonitoring and evaluation process, incooperation with existing initiatives suchas the NEPAD Secretariat trackingmechanism on agricultural budgets, andtracking mechanisms of RegionalEconomic Communities (REC’s) includingRegional Strategic Analysis & KnowledgeSupport Systems (RESAKSS).

• Parliamentary Joint-Initiative on AgricultureCall for a joint-initiative of ParliamentaryCommittees on Agriculture, Gender,Environment, Finance, Trade & Industry(and other committees where appropriate)to come to joint recommendations toprovide synergies with regard toimplementation on budgetary issues,legislation, poverty reduction strategies,national development plans etc.

• Incorporate Global issuesSeminar participants should makeconcerted efforts to have global issuesaffecting agriculture (e.g. tradenegotiations, climate change, bio-energyand related issues) included inparliamentary debates.

• Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry on theimplementation of CAADPAs needed, a Commission of Inquiry willbe called (see annex for example Terms ofReference).


Framework for Action

Framework for Parliamentary Action on CAADP

NAIROBI, KENYA, 27-28 SEPTEMBER 2007

Participant Institution

PARLIAMENTARIANS

Senator Els Schelfhout Belgian Parliament

Hon Audace Cegetera Burundi Parliament

Hon Pétronie Habanabashaka Burundi Parliament

Senator Charles Masabo Burundi Parliament

Hon Pierre – Claver Nahimana Burundi Parliament

Hon Shadrack Niyonkuru Burundi Parliament

Hon Evariste Nsabiyumva Burundi Parliament

Hon Antoine Michel Barthelemy Djibouti Parliament

Hon Ali Mohamed Daoud Djibouti Parliament

Hon Houssein Omar Kawalieh Djibouti Parliament

Hon Marie Claire Kikontwe Democratic Republic of Congo Parliament

Hon Helene Mikobi Mbokashanga Democratic Republic of Congo Parliament

Hon Hubert Masala Loka Mutombo Democratic Republic of Congo Parliament

Hon F Lwanyantika Masha East African Legislative Assembly

Hon Catherine Kimura East African Legislative Assembly

Hon Lydia Wanyoto East African Legislative Assembly

Hon Ato Ayele Seuoum Ethiopian Parliament

Hon Musa Hussein Naib Eritrean Parliament

Hon Patrick Meinhardt German Parliament

Hon Prof P. Olweny Kenyan Parliament

Hon Egidijus Vareikis Lithuanian Parliament,

AWEPA Vice-President

Hon Casimiro Pedro Huate Mozambique Parliament

Hon Anselmo Victor Mozambique Parliament

Hon Mary Rutamwebwa Mugyenyi Pan African Parliament and

Ugandan Parliament

Senator Marcel Dzangue Ombissa Republic of Congo Parliament

Senator Speciose Ayinkamiye Rwandan Parliament

Hon Esperance Mwiza Rwandan Parliament

Hon Mike Rugema Rwandan Parliament

Hon Adam Kighoma Malima Tanzanian Parliament

Hon Herbert James Mntangi Tanzanian Parliament

Hon Kilontsi Mporogomyi Tanzanian Parliament

Hon Mwanawetu Zarafi Tanzanian Parliament

PRESENTERS, EXPERTS AND RESOURCE PERSONS

Mr Steve Collins ACDI-VOCA

Mr Augustine Ruzindana African Parliamentarians

Network Against Corruption,

Chairman

Mr Pär Granstedt AWEPA, Secretary General and CEO

Mr Mhamed Cherif BizClim, ACP Business Climate

Initiative, Director

Mr Cyrille Sigejeje Burundi Chamber of Commerce of

Industry, Arts and Agriculture,

Secretary General

Mr Okero Otieno CIDA, Senior Programme Officer

Dr Wilfred Mwangi CIMMYT, Principal Economist

Mr Arun Devani East Africa Business Council,

Chairman

Mr Philip Kirio Eastern Africa Farmers Federation,

President

Mr Gayling May Eastern Africa Association, Regional

Representative

Mr Tesfai Tecle Food and Agriculture Organisation,

Assistant Director General

Ms Judy Kimamo Green Belt Movement, Personal

Assistant to Hon Wangari Maathai


Participants


Hon Pereza Godfrey Ahabwe Ugandan Parliament

Hon Bikwasizehi Deusdedit Ugandan Parliament

Hon Winifred Komuhangi Masiko Ugandan Parliament

Hon Kamya Beti Olive Namisango Ugandan Parliament

Hon Achia Remigio Ugandan Parliament



Mr Philip Wamahiu Green Belt Movement

Mr Edward Kateiya Kenya National Federation of Agricultural

Producers, Programme Officer

Mr Samuel Ndindiri Kenyan Parliament, Clerk

Mr Peter Chemweno Kenyan Parliament, Clerk Assistant

Mr Sammy Mwaura Kenya Private Sector Alliance, CEO

Mr Charles Kahuthu Kenya Private Sector Alliance, Sector

Coordinator

Dr Jennifer Riria Kenya Women's Finance Trust, CEO

Mr Gary Moonsammy Manto Management, Consultant

Ms Elise Pinners MDF East Africa

Mr John Lovdal National Democratic Institute Nairobi

Mr Linus Gitahi Nation Media Group, CEO

Mr Victor Mathale NEPAD/OECD African Investment

Initiative, Advisor

Professor Maggie Kigozi Uganda Investment Authority,

Executive Director

PRESENTERS, EXPERTS AND RESOURCE PERSONS

Ms Nyambura Koigi Postbank Kenya, MD, World Savings

Banks Institute Africa Group, Chairperson

Mr Alphonse Kihwele Postbank Tanzania, CEO

Mr Stephen Mukweli Postbank Uganda, MD

Mr Patrick Orr Rait Orr Consultants, Executive Chairman

Mr Tony Worthington Research into Use, Consultant

Ms Kerry Albright Research into Use, Senior Advisor

Mr Joe Frans Former Member of the Swedish Parliament

Mr Isaac Dallushi Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Vice-President

Mr John Corrie Former Member of the UK Parliament,

AWEPA Council Member

Mr Peter Acquah United Nations Environment Programme,

Deputy Director of the Regional Office for Africa

Mr David Ombisi United National Environment Programme,

Programme Officer

Mr Gibson Nabuteya Amenya University of Nairobi, Water Engineer

Participants


Ms Rosemary Olive Mbone Enie WICO Africa, President

Ms Caroline Mwaura WICO, Director General

Ms Margaret Kariuki WICO, Executive Representative Kenya

AWEPA STAFF

Dr Jeff Balch AWEPA, Director of Research and Evaluation

Ms Zoë Ware AWEPA, Project Officer

Mr Patrick M. Luabeya AWEPA, Project Officer

Ms Marie Heuts AWEPA, Project Officer

Ms Madelon Doesburg AWEPA, Office Assistant

Mr Arend Huitzing AWEPA, Consultant

Ms Angelina Nahimana AWEPA Burundi, Project Officer

Ms Gertrude Bamba AWEPA DRC, Project Officer

Ms Marianne Lateste AWEPA Kenya, Head of Office

Mr Thiongo Kagicha AWEPA Kenya, Project Officer

Ms Peninah Ogeto AWEPA Kenya, Office Manager

Ms Ruth Mungai AWEPA Kenya, Administrative Officer

Ms Beata Mukabaranga AWEPA Rwanda, Project Officer

Mr Lawrence Makigi AWEPA Tanzania, Office Representative

Ms Jeniffer Kwarisiima AWEPA Uganda, Project Officer

AWEPA Nairobi OfficeChaka Place, 2nd floorArgwings Kodhek/Chaka RoadPO Box 1189-00606 (Sarit Centre/Westlands)Nairobi, KenyaTel +254 20 2733977 Fax +254 20 2733473Email: [email protected]

Follow-up activities on Private SectorDevelopment

As a result of the Arusha seminar in 2006, national follow-upworkshops on private sector development and poverty reduction

took place in Burundi, the DRC, Kenya, the Republic of Congo,Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. The nature of each workshop wasdefined by the needs of the parliament concerned. In addition, duringthe course of 2007, small ad-hoc committees of key parliamentariansand private sector representatives were formed to discuss significantissues in more detail.

As a result of the Nairobi ‘Unfinished Business’ seminar, nationalfollow-up parliamentary workshops will also be arranged in all theabove-mentioned countries on private sector development, povertyreduction and agriculture. Again, the nature and focus of eachworkshop will be defined by each Parliament’s needs. Parliamentariansand experts will have the opportunity to share experiences gained atthe regional seminar and discuss the Code of Conduct and Frameworkfor Action on CAADP in more detail. The ad-hoc committees will befully engaged in this process. Uganda was the first country to hold itsnational follow-up workshop, which took place in December 2007.

In the latter part of 2008, a third regional seminar on private sectordevelopment will be arranged to follow up on the Nairobi seminar andthe national level workshops.

In addition, under the Mobilising Parliamentarians for NEPADprogramme, regional seminars on the theme of agriculturaldevelopment took place for Southern Africa (Cape Town, March 07)and West Africa (Cotonou, October 07). In 2008, national level follow-up workshops on agriculture will take place for parliaments thatparticipated in these regional seminars.

For more details on all past events and upcoming activities, please seethe ‘Projects’ page on the AWEPA website: www.awepa.org.Alternatively, please contact AWEPA at [email protected] formore information.

ColophonText Jos Havermans, Salwa de Vree, Zoë WareEditing Salwa de Vree, Zoë WarePhotos Josiah Kagikah, GPS Media Design Lena Shafir, www.shafir-etcetera.comPrinting Jubels bv

AWEPA International OfficePrins Hendrikkade 48 -G1012 AC AmsterdamThe Netherlands Tel +31 20 5245678Fax +31 20 6220130E-mail: [email protected]

© AWEPA, 2008


Documents

Private Sector Development, Agriculture and Poverty Reduction · 2013. 6. 7. · Delegates integrate Corporate Social Responsibility in Code of Conduct for parliamentary-business