2003 — International Water Year
Water — Two Billion People Are Dying For It!

GLOBAL 500 AFRICAN NETWORK 1st CONGRESS

- Official Constitution of the Global 500 African Network -
"Laureates in Action, Water and Sustainable Development for Africa"

General Dossier (2)

Background Information:

Juventude Ecológica Angolana (JEA) or Ecological Youth of Angola launches to itself the challenge to host the Global 500 African Network First Congress, from 1 to 3 September 2003 — The International Water Year —, in Luanda, Angola under the theme "Laureates in Action, Water & Sustainable Development for Africa". This will be held in close partnership with UNEP, UNDP Angola, Global 500 Forum, Government of Angola and the Maiombe Environmental NGO’s Network. The Global 500 African Network was now founded on September 3, 2002 in South Africa during the World Summit on Sustainable Development. However, there is the need to constitute officially this Network aimed to link together Global 500 laureates across Africa. The Congress shall be an historic initiative whose main mission is for meeting African laureates by the first time since their honours (1987 - 2003) for decision-making in caring for environment in the continent. During the three-day activity, the laureates will discuss a lot of themes, such as Water and Sustainable Development; NEPAD Environment Initiative; UNEP Strategy Paper on Enhancing the CSO Engagement, as well as the Global 500 Africa Programme. Special attention shall be given to the host country environment issues. Meanwhile, the Congress will be structured in three thematic days according the proposed timetable: on September 1, it is specially dedicated to Angola. September 2 is about Water and Sustainable Development in Africa and September 3 is about the Global 500 Africa Initiative. During these three days, the African laureates will produce two main documents: the African Laureate Charter and the Declaration of Luanda. On each these two documents, they will show their determination and position concerning the Global 500 African Programme and Africa environment emergencies.

2003 International Water Day:

This Congress will be held on special occasion of the 2003 — International Water Year, as set up by the United Nations General Assembly. Africa is rich in water resources, but millions people are dying for it, justifying problems of access, quality, privatisation, desertification and soil degradation. Many African countries, including laureate countries like Sudan, Burkina Faso etc, are living decades with water problems. Angola, the host country is a "water home" in Southern Africa region. After DR Congo, Angola highlights on the top. As across Africa, water resources is not yet profited for the quality of life of the people. At the WSSD, where the Global 500 African Network was launched, world leaders and Civil Society understood take in action partnership programmes concerning the water matters: access, quality, no-privatisation, etc. The slogan of this International Water Year Initiative is Water — Two Billion People Are Dying For It. It is also for the 2003 World Environment Day. Therefore, this initiative shall be highlighted over the Congress as a component of its thematic slogan.

Angola, the Host Country:

After more than two decades of intense civil war, Angola meets today peaceful, demanding that the reconstruction and adoption of sustainable development policies are an immediate and constant priority for the Government in close partnership with the Civil Society and Private Sector. Although with social, economics and tourist infrastructures still limited, Angola is an exciting destiny to visit. Placed in Southern Africa region and with about 1.246,700 Km, the country is bordered to DR Congo and Congo to the north, Zambia to the east, Namibia to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Angola comprises 18 provinces. The people are warm to welcome everyone from everywhere. Seven local languages are spoken throughout the country. Due the civil war people made Luanda as the cultural centre of the country, gathering together people with different culture and languages. Mountains rise from the coast, levelling to a plateau, which makes up most of the country. The northern plateau is thickly vegetatedwhile to south the country becomes increasingly arid. The Falls of Kalandula, Giant Black Palanca and the Black Stones of Pungo-a-Ndongo in Malanje; the Sierra of Leba and the Rifts of Tundavala in Huila, the Grottos of the Desert of Iona and Welwitschia Mirabilis in Namibe; the Tropical Forest of Maiombe in Cabinda province; finally they make Angola an impressive spectacle. In Luanda, the coastal host city, there are several historic and cultural monuments to visit, such as the Museum of the Armed Forces, the National Museums of Anthropology and of Natural History, as well as the Museum of the Slavery along the coast, close to the Island of Mussulo. The Kissama National Park, recently rehabilitated by the Kissama Wildlife Foundation, whose Patron is H.E President of Angola José Eduardo dos Santos, it lies to 70 Km to south of Luanda, and is the great flora and fauna closer reservation of the capital city. Luanda has wonderful and hot beaches even during whole winter. Itself is built about of a bay, with the opportunity of any visitor to take a bathing in the sun just about five minutes of the centre city. Water sports are frequently accomplished both in the Islands of Mussulo and Luanda. The Beach of Palmeirinhas, to 45 km to south of Luanda is an authentic temptation. Many hotels were strictly modernized and there are countless nightclubs and movies in Luanda. The country climate is tropical: hot all year, with slight temperature decrease from May to October. Rainy season is from September to April; dry from May to August. The Official language is Portuguese, while the national currency is Kwanza, which is the name of the longest and important country’s river.

JEA — Host Laureate Organization:

Juventude Ecológica Angolana (JEA) or Ecological Youth of Angola is a 1991 non-Profit environmental youth organization aimed at the protection and conservation of the environment; information dissemination, capacity building, public awareness and environmental education for young people and better quality of life for the Angolan communities. JEA is well established in 8 of the 18 provinces of the country. Some environment clubs, where it has not yet official delegation, has been successful set up and representing locally JEA’s goals. It possesses more than 5,000 people, all volunteer members. JEA calls to a generalised environmental culture and sustainable development practices in whole country. JEA is a member of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), World Assembly of Youth (WAY), African Youth Parliament and Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa (EEASA). JEA received the UNEP Global 500 Award at 2002 World Environment Day in China, for Environmental Achievement in the Youth category.

Key Partners:

UNEP, Kenya
UNDP, Angola
Global 500 Environment Forum, US
Global 500 Japan Network, Japan
Government of Angola, Angola
Maiombe Network, Angola
National Youth Council, Angola
NEPAD - AU, South Africa
African Embassies, Angola
Global 500 African Laureates

Main Eventual Sponsors:

Chevron Techaco, Angola
Nippon Foundation, Japan
Norsk Hydro, Angola
Nando Peretti Foundation, Italy
IUCN, Switzerland
Eduardo dos Santos Foundation, Angola
Kissama Wildlife Foundation, Angola

Objectives & Goals:

Celebrate the 2003 International Water Day through collaborative action and engagement from Global 500 African laureates;

Gathering together Global 500 African laureates by the first time since their honours (1987 - 2003) for decision-making in caring for the environment in the continent;

Promote the sharing of ideas, experiences and projects among the African laureates, as well increase public awareness for Government and people across Africa on the need to promote Water and Sustainable Development in the continent;

Constitute a strategic forum for discussion matters on the Award in Africa, as well as to support the NEPAD Environment Initiative, Peace for Environment in Angola Initiative and UNEP Strategy Paper on Enhancing Civil Society Organizations;

Define the role of the Global 500 African Laureates towards the improvement of African leaderships for environmental governance and the international advocacy for Africa environment emergencies;

Consult the laureates for adoption of an "African Laureate Charter" in order to constitute officially the Global 500l African Network, as a true and conventional body in the continent both for Global 500 Forum and UNEP;

Elect the first two-years office for the Network Executive Commission; adopt the Global 500 Africa Programme for 2003 - 2005 and the establishment of the Network Permanent Secretariat headquartered in Angola under JEA’s responsibility;

Choice the African laureate country, include its NGO laureate to host the Global 500 African Network Second Congress to take place on September 2005.

Expected Outcomes:

Produced and adopted two greatest documents: The Global 500 Africa Programme that includes the African Laureate Charter, establishment of the Network Secretariat in Luanda, adoption of central and sub-regional bodies and the inception of a Global 500 Africa Award; and the Declaration of Luanda.

Date:

1 — 3 September 2003
(Arrival Day from 30 to 31 August and Departure Day from 4 to 5 September)

Venue:

Palace of the Congresses, Luanda, Angola

Themes:

Perspectives & Government Policies for Sustainable Development in Angola
Peace for Environment in Angola Initiative
Environmental Movement in Angola
Global 500 Africa Programme
Water & Sustainable Development in Africa
2003 — International Water Year
NEPAD Environment Initiative
UNEP Strategy Paper on Enhancing the CSO Engagement
2002 WSSD Action Plan
Millennium Development Goals in Africa
Global 500 Forum Annual Meeting Outcomes

Congress Slogan:

Laureates in Action, Water and Sustainable Development for Africa

Congress Working Languages:

Portuguese and English will be the two working languages for the Congress. It will be available simultaneous translation to another one.

Participants:

UNEP Representatives (To be determined by itself);
Global 500 Forum Representatives (To be determined by itself);
1 WSSD Africa Secretariat Representative;
2 NEPAD — AU;
39 Laureates from 30 African countries (One laureate of each African country. One more for 9 countries that have more than three laureates: Individual & NGOs);
3 Global 500 African Network Focal Points (DR Congo, Ethiopia and Niger);
15 International Invited Guests (Include IUCN, GEF, World Bank, WWF, IC Africa Initiative, Africa Regional development communities, etc);
5 Official Representatives from remaining Global 500 regional Networks;
National Invited Guests (To be determined by JEA Technical Group and host Government);
Eventual African laureates from 2003 World Environment Day;

* The nominal list of participants will be set up soon.

Registration Process & Fee:

All delegates, excepting the international guests, UNEP and Forum representatives shall be submitted on a registration process before. A form will opportunely be edited on the Congress web page. The Congress Secretariat will define a registration fee addressed to all delegates without exception, towards the Network Secretariat establishment post-congress.

Passport and Visa:

All delegates must have a valid passport and visa to entry to Angola. The Congress Secretariat will closely work on this matter with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, of which the Minister is appointed to be a Congress Honorary Ambassador.

Travel:

The Congress Secretariat will buy international travel tickets to all international guests (including African laureates), and domestic travel tickets for the Global 500 Angolan volunteers.

Welcome Reception:

A reception programme will be provided to welcome all international guests. A special room at Luanda International Airport will be set up.

Local Transport:

The Congress will have a line of public and private transports available to all delegates in every Congress venues (Palace of the Congresses, Hotels, Airport, etc).

Accommodation:

The Congress Secretariat will accommodate all international delegates at existing hotels in Luanda. JEA Technical Group and Global 500 Angolan Volunteers will be also accommodated by the Secretariat in the guesthouses near to the Congress venues five days before. Meanwhile, Luanda the host city has a lot of luxury hotels, which are conventional to the Congress international delegates, namely:

Alvalade Hotel (The newest Hotel in Angola)*****
Tropic Hotel****
Marine Hotel***
Tivoli Hotel***
Fórum Hotel***
Continental Hotel***

Structure of the Congress:

The Congress shall be structured in three days thematic areas. The first one is dedicated to the host country; the second for African environment matters and the third for Global 500 Africa Programme. Mr. Vladimir Russo, JEA President is proposed to conduct the Congress works, as the host and Executive Secretary for the Congress, and Ms. Marilyn Mosley, Global 500 Forum President to be the Counsellor. However, two deputy Chairmen (one for specially on Africa W&SD Day and another on Global 500 Africa Day) will be elect among African laureates. Before each plenary session the Congress will elect also Officers among African laureates to support the Chairman to best achieve the work outcomes.

Action Programme:

The Congress will comprise a lot of activities in decision-making in caring for the environment and Global 500 Award in the continent. Only two parallel activities are available for the Congress. The perspective is to involve laureates in every action agenda. The Opening Ceremony is scheduled on Monday, September 1 and the Closing on Wednesday, September 3. Two great banquets are been provided both to Welcome and Farewell delegates. Plenary sessions, special forums and workshops, as well as tour and study visits to some locations, already well identified, are equally scheduled.

Honorary Titles:

The Congress Secretariat will attribute honorary titles for identified individuals and institutions that will closely work for the Congress. In terms of individuals, JEA Technical Group has set up the title of Congress Patron to H.E. José Eduardo dos Santos, as the President of Angola host country, as well as the Patron of Eduardo dos Santos Foundation and Kissama Wildlife Foundation, two Angolan institutions that have accomplished successful actions and initiatives to increase public awareness on poverty alleviation, HIV/AIDS eradication, biodiversity conservation and environmental education. Other titles are being proposed to another individuals as the Ambassadors in order to advocate on behalf the Congress. Meanwhile, the honorary titles for companies are to:

Congress Airlines: Angola Airlines (TAAG) & South African Airways (SAA)
International Travel: TROPICANA CIP-Service
Local Transportation: MACON
Communications: EBONET, Angola Post, NETANGOLA, UNITEL & JEMBAS
Meals: CEFHOTEL
Security: Elite Security
Publicity: TVC
Marketing: Luanda Marketing School
Domestic Travel: SAL
Tourism: SOMITOUR
Media: Public Television of Angola (TPA), National Radio of Angola (RNA), Angola News Agency (ANGOP) and Angola’s Newspaper (JA)

Financial Assistance for International Delegates:

This programme aims to assist financially at local all international delegates (primarily for African laureates), as it is natural in similar activities or UNEP agenda. The Congress Secretariat will adopt that value and will give this over the Congress.

Congress Secretariat:

A Secretariat will be set up for the Congress, comprising representatives from UNEP, Global 500 Forum, JEA Technical Group, National Partnership Group, Government of Angola, Eduardo dos Santos Foundation, Maiombe Network, Honorary Ambassadors, African embassies to Angola, Media, Angolan Volunteers and some African laureates. This working group must be convened not later than March and will meet monthly both in Luanda and Nairobi, the UNEP headquarters. The main support for the Secretariat Congress shall be the JEA Technical Group. A Board group will be designed to lead the works. Below, the proposal of the JEA TG for board group structure:

Official Representative of Patron
Global 500 Forum President, Ms. Marilyn Mosley, for President
Minister of Housing and Environment, Dr. Virgílio Fontes Pereira, for First Deputy President
UNEP Global 500 Programme Office, Ms. Elisabeth Guilbaud-Cox, for Second Deputy President
JEA President, Mr. Vladimir Russo, for Executive Secretary
National Director of Environment, Dr. Carlos Santos, for Counsellor
JEA Head, Information and EE, Mr. Constantino Mendes, for Spokesman
All the documentation, as well as the Congress Logo, Web Page, and Global 500 Angolan volunteers will be some matters on current agenda of the Secretariat.

OBS.:

Global 500 Angolan Volunteers:

A programme concerning the selection of 18 Angolan volunteers from the 18 provinces will be accomplished in order to support the Congress Secretariat in its efforts to the implementation. They will be selected under criteria of JEA Technical Group, gender equity and a 16 — 25 age shall be some references. The Angolan volunteers will closely work with the JEA Technical Group, especially for preparing an exhibition on culture, politics, economics, social and environmental aspects about themselves provinces to present to the African laureates. They will be encouraged for speaking their local languages and dressing over the Congress their traditional dresses showing the culture of the host people.

JEA Technical Group:

JEA Technical Group is the working team within host organization to carry out all work related to the Global 500 Africa Programme. It was launched on November 2002 during a meeting that made official the JEA’s engagement for the Congress. This group has meeting all weeks discussing the process preparatory for. JEA President Mr. Vladimir Russo and his Head Information and EE, Mr. Constantino Mendes have conducted the Group.

Angola National Partnership Group:

JEA Technical Group has proposed to set up before the Congress Secretariat a National Partnership Group in order to involve other NGOs, Government departments, institutions, Media, Sponsors and individuals, whose action and initiatives could influence on the Congress Agenda and its preparatory process.

Office in Luanda:

A Congress office will be established in Luanda, in order to provide a better work on communication, action coordination, general arrangements and logistics for the Congress implementation. This office will have access to Internet, fax, telephone, computer, printing and other office materials. An everyday transport and meals for the staff will must be provided.

Congress Preparatory Process:

A preparatory process has been carry out by JEA since September 2002, after Network launching in South Africa. But, officially only on January 2003 it has begun. However, the preparatory process has comprised a local fundraising strategy, market researches and marketing and public information towards the Congress implementation. So, below is a tentative agenda with key actions to accomplish during the Preparatory process:

Indicative Budget:

The Congress has an indicative budget in US $685.000,00 (Six Hundred and Eighty Five Thousand American Dollars). But it is know ahead of time that some rubrics should be supported institutional and materially (without give money) for some Angolan sponsors already identified.

Main Rubrics:

Secretariat Office
International Travel Tickets
Domestic Travel Tickets
Local Transportation
Accommodation/Feeding & Meals
Publicity, Information and Marketing
Communications
Booking, Materials & Working Documentation
Global 500 Angolan Volunteers
Financial Assistance to the Intl. Delegates
Working Groups General Assistance
Welcome and Farewell Banquets
Tour and Study Visits
Preparatory Process (Angola/Kenya, etc)
Video, Photo and TV Production
Technical and Consultancy Services
Venues Rent
Opening and Closing Ceremonies
Special Workshops and Forums
Final Report (Activities/Finances)
Financial Audit
Evaluation Workshops (Angola/Kenya)

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Luanda, 22 September 2003

JEA Technical Group for the Global 500 Africa Programme,

Constantino Mendes
Head, Information and Environmental Education

Congress Executive Secretary,

Vladimir Russo/JEA President

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