Mbandaka, 12 May 2014 – Civil Society Associations in Equateur province convened a workshop between 9 and 10 May 2014 in Mbandaka during which they set up a Framework for Consultations and Dialogue with a view to enhancing cohesion among them and to enable them to speak with one voice. Organized by the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO) and the International Non-Government Organization Christian AIDwith support from the European Union, the workshop brought together 53 participants from Civil Society organizations in Equateur province (SOCIPEQ) and the New Congolese Civil Society (NSCC) of the five districts in the province.

As planned in the agenda, participants first reviewed the gains of the National Civil Society Forum held in Kinshasa in July 2013. Discussions led to the establishment of a framework for civil society’s consultations and dialogues in Equateur province. The workshop attained several goals, amongst others: the validation of Civil Society’s roadmap in Equateur province developed by the provincial consultations held in May 2013; the evaluation of the strengths and weaknessesof the work done by the 20 Thematic Working Groups (GTT) of the civil society organizations; the dissemination of the resolutions and recommendations of the National Civil Society Forum held in Kinshasa in July 2013.

The Framework for Civil Societies’ Consultations and Dialogue attained its goals, mainly: setting up multi-actors’ forum for a concerted participation of civil society organizations in the formulation of public policies and oversight of public actions. The forum includes a presidium (1 president, 3 vice-presidents and 2 rapporteurs), a technical secretariat, an oversight commission made up of 5 people and a Committee of WisePeople (8 people).

Jean-Tobie Okala/MONUSCO