Organizing the Diaspora: Eating the Elephant One Bite at a Time

ORGANIZING THE DIASPORA: EATING THE ELEPHANT ONE BITE AT A TIME

PAPERS FOR AN ORGANIZING KIT REGARDING TOWN HALLS AND CAUCUSES

by David L. Horne, Ph.D

I. A SUMMARY of What’s Going On and How To Get It Done Where You Are

We are the Diaspora, and we’ve been invited to the table.

The African Union, the linear descendant of the OAU, and the spiritual descendant of governmental leaders who were also Pan Africanists, has called us to the negotiation and discussion table to engage the issue of Africa’s future. Historically, this is the first time we, the Diaspora as a whole, have been so honored.

There is no question that we both want to and need to accept that invitation. In order to do that, we must organize ourselves and elect Diasporan Representatives to the AU. There currently exists a general method of accomplishing that task. The method has been successfully utilized in California, is being used in other states across the US, and has been utilized successfully in six countries of Central America (Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Guatemala).

What is that method and how does it work? In brief, the approach is a straightforwardly simple way to handle a complex situation. If you are already in a Black organization of some sort, either using that organization’s credibility in your area, or the credibility of that organization in coalition with other Black organizations in your area, send out flyers, e-mails, do public service announcements on radio and cable, announcements in Black churches and any other locations frequented by Black folk (from You Buy-We Fry places to universities), and any other ways you can get the word out. This can be and should be done in a low-cost, efficient manner. Current experience provides solid evidence that this can be done. In each of the states so far, coordinating organizations were able to spend less than $50 per state to get massive public announcements out regarding the AU town Halls/caucuses. Announce far and wide that you are having a Town Hall Meeting on the AU/Diaspora issue which will lead to a follow-up Voting Caucus meeting to actually elect Representatives for your state.  The Caucus is a traditional community meeting to elect folk, and once you have done everything possible to inform as many people as possible in your state, then go ahead with it. No, you won’t get everybody there. No, everybody will not agree with even doing this. However, those who show up will do the voting, and your certification of the results will simply be your record of publicizing the two meetings and providing a reasonable forum for public discussion and participation. That’s all the AU requires–publicize, vote and document the process. If people get left out this time around, for whatever reason after you have put the word out, they’ll have to catch this train the next time it comes. You know your own state and where Black folk are. You decide the best place to hold the Town Hall meeting and the Voting Caucus. In summary, Get a facility, set up at least two meeting dates (one for the Town Hall meeting, one for the actual Voting Caucus), publicize the heck out of the meeting dates, bring in speakers and advisers with experience in this process (SRDC’s National Secretariat can send members to your state), have the meetings, document the process and elect the Representatives. Send that documentation to SRDC. That’s it.

A more detailed explanation of the Town Hall-Caucus method is included in Section III below.

II. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS About the AU-Diaspora Invitation and Process

  • QUESTION: What is the AU?    

ANSWER: The AU—the African Union—is the linear descendant of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). The OAU ceased to exist in 2001-2002 with the birth of the AU. The AU is the African government-centered, continent-wide body of 54 member states  established to represent the joint interests of African countries, and to eventually create a Union of African States, which will be a single country of Africa to replace the current 54 countries. The AU has laid out, on paper, a roadmap for the creation of a real Pan African unification, and the Diaspora is a big part of those plans.

  • QUESTION: What is the Diaspora?

ANSWER:  Although the exact definition is still a work in progress, in 2005, the AU  defined the Diaspora as “… peoples of African descent and heritage living outside the continent, irrespective of their citizenship,  and who remain committed to contribute to the development of the continent and the building of the African Union.” Geographically, this large population, variously estimated as between 300–500 million folk, is to be found in the USA, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America (including Brazil), and Europe, with Asian and Asian-Pacific populations still to be determined.

  • QUESTION: How is the Diaspora Related to the AU’s View of Africa?

ANSWER:  The AU defines the African continent as being divided into 6 geographical regions—North Africa, South Africa, West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, and the Diaspora (the 6th Region). Pan African unification must include bringing together all six of those geographical regions into one entity.

  • QUESTION: When Did the Diaspora Get An Invitation to Join The AU and Where Is The Verification Of This?

ANSWER: In 2003, the AU amended its constitution (called the AU Constitutive Act) to clarify its fundamental relationship with the Diaspora, and to invite the Diaspora to join the organization to help Africa unify. In Article 3(q) of the AU’s amended  Constitution, the AU hereby “…invite(s) and encourage(s) the full participation of the African Diaspora as an important part of our continent, in the building of the African Union.” Article 3(q) has yet to be officially ratified by all the AU Member States, but AU officials have been referring to the Diaspora as the Sixth Region for years, and the ratification of Article 3(q) is considered to be a matter of time.

  • QUESTION: How Is the Diaspora To Be Incorporated Into the AU?

ANSWER: Initially, the Diaspora is to be included as voting members of ECOSOCC, which is a permanent commission of the AU. This was decided at the Interim ECOSOCC meeting in Addis Ababa in March 29, 2005 (in which several members of the Diaspora were present as non-voting Observers). Later, the Diaspora can be incorporated into most other aspects of the AU that are not specifically designated as the Assembly Commission (heads of state) and the Executive Commission (Foreign Ministers). The Diaspora  should become members of the Pan African Parliament, the AU Commission, various Technical Commissions, etc.

  • QUESTION: Okay, since ECOSOCC is a group of NGOs or community-based organizations, why can’t my organization just send me to represent Black folk? After all, I’m African-centered and so is my organization, and we’ve been out here for a very long time. We know what Black folk want.

ANSWER: There are two reasons your organization cannot just appoint or designate you to go to represent it or to represent all Black folk. The first reason is that while the AU itself did not lay down any stringent regulations and expectations about Diasporan Representatives (except the invitation itself and the AU’s definition of the Diaspora), ECOSOCC did identify some conditions that we should adhere to: (1) Diasporan Representatives cannot be currently elected officials in their respective countries (2) Diasporan Representatives cannot appoint themselves (3) Diasporan Representatives have to represent more than a single organization (4) Diasporan Representatives must come from processes which reflect the voice of their respective communities. (See ECOSOCC Membership Rules.)  The second reason is that whether you are from a respected organization such as the NOI, or NBUF, NAACP, etc., or a smaller group, you do not represent all Black people in the USA, let alone the Diaspora. Calling a widely publicized and open Town Hall meeting brings in a variety of Black organizations and individuals. Out of that group, Representatives are nominated and then elected in a widely publicized and open Caucus. That insures a democratic community process. 

  • QUESTION: What Does the Acronym ECOSOCC Mean?

ANSWER:  The Economic, Social and Cultural Commission of the AU. It is a grouping of 150 community-based organizations, which are also called NGOs (Non-governmental Organizations) and civil society organizations. The Diaspora has been designated 20 members of that 150.

  • QUESTION: What Assistance Has the AU Given To Help Get the Diaspora Organized?

ANSWER:  First, the Diaspora has to organize itself. However, in 2005, the AU had designated the creation of several groupings in various parts of the world to educate people about the AU and the Diaspora, to monitor and record how community-based groups organized themselves, and to be a networking resource for all such community-based organizations. Those new groupings were called the Western Hemispheric African Diasporan Network (WHADN) and the European Hemispheric African Diasporan Network (EHADN) primarily in Europe.  Since that time, WHADN and EHADN were disbanded, and organizations such as SRDC (primarily in North America), the Central American Black Organization or CABO (in Central and Latin America), PerAnkh Smai Tawi and CIPN/MIR (in the US Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Martinique and the Caribbean), the Middle East African Diaspora Unity Council or MEADUC (Israel and Middle East) and African Union African Diaspora Sixth Region or AUADS (Europe) have picked up the work of organizing at the local and national levels and advocating for the official inclusion of the Diaspora as the Sixth Region.

  • QUESTION: Does the Current Town Hall-Caucus Method Have Community-Based Credibility?

ANSWER:  Yes. The current Town Hall-Caucus method grew out of a Roundtable gathering in Los Angeles in April of 2006, that included community activists from across the USA and  participants from the Caribbean, Central America and the African continent. Shortly after that gathering, the method was validated by electing Representatives in California and in Central America. Currently, it is being used or considered across the United States, in Canada, and in South America. Thus far, it is the only straightforward, practical method being utilized.

  • QUESTION: Who Has the Authority to Call a Diasporan Town Hall and Are there Minimum Requirements or Principles That Must Be Adhered To?

ANSWER: Any African-oriented community group willing to step forward, do the work, and call the public meeting—including doing all of the necessary coordinating tasks like getting a facility, widely publicizing the event, etc.—has the authority/credibility to call the Town Hall-Caucus gatherings. In moving forward, several principles must be adhered to, according to the AU. They are: ( A.) Diasporan representatives to the AU must be elected by and through community gatherings. Representatives are not to be self-appointed by individual organizations. (B.) Neither one individual nor one organization from the Diaspora can, or is expected to, adequately represent the diverse interests of the Diaspora at AU meetings. However, it will be through the existing civil society/community-based organizations in the Diaspora that such AU representation will be identified and chosen through elections. 

Diasporan representatives to the AU are not to be officials already elected to governmental positions in their respective territories.

III. SUGGESTED STEPS in Organizing the Diaspora:  The Step-By-Step Process

  1. In every part of the world in which African folk live, there is a tradition and practice of having Town Hall-like public gatherings to discuss important issues and events, and of consensus voting for handling those issues. Building on that tradition, in cities and states in each of the 6 geographically-identified areas of the AU Sixth Region, there needs to be at least one African-centered group that will initially accept the challenge of contacting other groups in their state, country or region, conducting educational gatherings on the AU, and assisting sub-regional organizations in hosting and coordinating a Town Hall meeting/caucus to elect representatives. Since it is a requirement/expectation of the AU that such Diasporan representatives be sent from a body comprising as diverse a number of  Diasporans in the particular area as is possible,  Sixth Region representatives are not supposed to self-select ‘themselves.’

  2. One or several existing African-centered organizations, clubs and associations in each part of the Diaspora will then take the initiative in their own areas to call forth at least one general Town Hall meeting/caucus of Diasporans interested in the AU process. Thus, in the USA, existing Pan African organizations in each of the 50 states are expected to contact other African descendants in that state to attend at least one organizing Town Hall meeting/caucus to be educated about the AU, to discuss a Pan African agenda, and to elect AU representatives from that state. If one meeting or gathering is sufficient to accomplish all that, great, but the usual expectation (and all of the experience thus far) is that it will take at least two gatherings. Similarly, African-centered organizations in Canadian provinces, in Caribbean countries, Central/South American states and countries, and European countries, are expected to organize, advertise and hold Town Hall meetings and caucuses to elect representatives. The details of having such elections are up to each sub-regional area, and the process should then be sent to SRDC or other participating organizations to be officially recorded for the AU.

  3. The ultimate aim of sub-regional elections is to create a delegation of global Pan-African representatives which will meet at least once a year as a collective group (a few days before AU Commission meetings, or some other relevant times) and will include the elected members from each of the 6 sub-regions. It is also recommended that each of the areas of the sub-region create a Sub-Regional Caucus that will meet at least once a year (prior to the annual global delegation meeting) to organize itself and to acquire coherency and clarity on the interest agenda it will represent from its constituents to the AU.

(1)  In the USA, African-centered and Pan African groups in each state will hold Town Hall caucuses/meetings in each of the 50 states of the USA, hold candidates’ forums and will elect 2 Diasporan Representatives from each state, and up to 5 Observers. Voting eligibility will consist of having residence in the particular state, being African American (Afrodescendant) or African descendant, and being at least 18 years of age. In the USA, this will result in approximately 100 elected representatives, who will each receive training in international diplomacy before attending AU sessions, and who will meet at relevant times in a body to clarify the African American/African descendant agenda and then take that agenda to various AU-related meetings to help build the Union of African states with the Diaspora’s voice included in that process. From this elected body of 100 — which will represent the Sub–Regional Caucus-USA — will be elected/selected the USA representatives to the AU Sixth Region Diasporan Caucus for each available AU position, committee or working group. It is recommended that Canada, Europe, Central and South America and the other parts of the Diasporan Sixth Region use this approach as a reference point for developing a specific strategy relevant to the conditions in each of those areas.

(2)  In the USA,  the two elected Representatives from each state (and the Observers) will serve for a term of two years, and be eligible for election for a second and final term of two years. In no circumstances will a Representative serve more than 2 terms of  2 years.

(3)  At the public Town Halls/caucuses in each state, the 2  AU  Representatives (and the Observers) will be elected from eligible candidates (See Suggested Minimum Qualifications below) in each state by simple majority votes (raised hands or paper ballots). Representatives who violate the public’s trust or who demonstrate disrespect for the Black (African descendant) community can be removed by calling a special Town Hall meeting in the city in which the representative was elected, having a discussion on why/why not be removed, and a simple majority vote that approximates the same number and/or percentage of constituents who voted the representative into office. This can only occur after the first 6 months, or after the first 12 months, or before the 18th month of a final term.  If the representative is in the last six months of the fourth year of service, such representative will be allowed to finish out that final term.

(4)  For this method to be disseminated to other states and other parts of the Sixth Region, volunteers from SRDC  will be available to help facilitate state Town Hall meetings, and/or pass out educational materials and advice on how to proceed, when they are requested.

RECOMMENDED MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR CANDIDATES TO BE DIASPORAN REPRESENTATIVES (USED IN CALIFORNIA TO ELECT ITS REPRESENTATIVES)

  1. As required by the AU, representatives from the Diaspora must be elected by a credible constituent body.
  1. Representatives from the Diaspora must be at least 18 years of age or older.

  2. It is not expected that either one individual or one African-oriented organization can adequately represent the diverse interests of the Diaspora as the Sixth Region of the African Union.
  1. A person desiring to be a representative must have a demonstrated history of African-centered work in and/or for the Black (African descendant) community.

  2. A person desiring to be a representative has to identify with being a member of the African and African Descendants (Afrodescendants) population.

  3. A person desiring to be a representative has to have consistent access to financial resources which will allow her/him to travel to Africa, and other sites of AU and AU-related meetings, and pay for related housing accommodations. At this point in history, the AU cannot be relied upon to provide consistent travel expenses for Diasporan representatives.

  4. A person desiring to be a representative for the Diaspora must have the ability to write well, or to have access to someone who is able to accurately transcribe meeting notes, so that the representative will be able to regularly report the official decisions of meetings to the Black (African descendant) community to which the representative is accountable.

  5. A person desiring to be a representative must have the time to do so, including the latitude to be out of the country sometimes for several consecutive days or weeks on AU business. There will be a minimum of four required meetings a year for Diasporan representatives, including two on the continent, at least one otherwise outside the USA, and at least one national meeting (with the possibility of several other special meetings). Meetings on the continent usually last from one week to one month.

  6. A person desiring to be a representative must be willing to attend a minimum of four diplomatic training sessions in order to get properly prepared to represent the Diaspora well at the international level.

For those nominated to be AU Representatives, they will then be requested to:

  1. Please send a Resume or Activities Summary that directly relates to the 10 Minimum Requirements items listed above.

  2. Please send a brief essay (3-5 pages) stating why you feel yourself to be well qualified to be an elected Representative of the Diaspora to the African Union.

ADDENDUM TO THE METHODOLOGY TO ELECT DIASPORAN REPRESENTATIVES

THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL OF ELDERS

Within each community that elects Representatives, there must be a reference group that makes decisions, provides advice on the agreed-upon agenda, and maintains weekly contact with the Representatives so that all relevant information pertaining to the AU and the Diaspora can be disseminated directly to the community which elected the Representatives. That reference group body will be the COMMUNITY COUNCIL OF ELDERS (the CCOE).

Each community will decide for itself who those Elders will be, but it is strongly recommended that each CCOE member must be at least forty years old and must have a tangible track record of Pan African service to Black folks.

SUGGESTED MINIMUM PROTOCOLS FOR THE CCOE

  1. The CCOE members should be an odd number between 3 and 15. There should be no less than 3 and no more than 15 members representing a particular community.

  2. Members will be elected/selected for 2 year terms.

  3. CCOE members should be selected/elected before nominations are solicited for the Representatives.

  4. CCOE members will look at all of the subsequent nominations that come in for the Representatives, send out a letter to each nominee requesting biographical information that complies with the Minimum Qualifications agreed to by the Town Hall participants for all AU Representatives, and will compile all of the data submitted and make a Nominees Report to the subsequent Caucus gathering at which Representatives will be elected. This Report will include the names of all nominees, and especially the names of those who send in the required biographical information that meets the Minimum Qualifications.

  5. Members of the CCOE will conduct the election of Representatives at the Caucus called specifically for that purpose after the Town Hall meeting.

  6. Members of the CCOE will maintain consistent contact with all of the Representatives and Observers elected by the community, and will be responsible for disseminating all news to the community pertaining to the AU and the Diaspora.

  7. The CCOE will make sure that the requisite diplomatic training sessions (at least 2) occur and that the elected AU Representatives attend those sessions.

  8. The CCOE in each community will do whatever is necessary, within the limits of its resources, time and personnel,  to support the AU Representatives elected by that community.