So you have decided that you want to attend an ordinary session of the African Commission in person. Now what? This chapter gives you more information on the opportunities that exist for civil society to engage with the African Commission in Banjul (The Gambia) or wherever else an ordinary session is being held. You can engage with the African Commission in several ways, and the method you choose will be dependent on the outcome you wish to achieve. Get a feel for the vibrant atmosphere of the African Commission’s ordinary sessions with the below video.
Images of the 81st Ordinary Session of the African Commission in Banjul, The Gambia, with voiceover narration of key takeaways from the session
Civil society can engage during the ordinary sessions in a number of ways, which will be covered in this chapter:
Oral Statements - You can intervene during the official agenda of the ordinary session
Side events - You can organise an event on the sidelines of the ordinary session on a particular topic of interest
Resolutions - You can lobby the African Commission to adopt a resolution on a particular human rights situation or issue
Meetings - You can meet with Commissioners and other participants in the ordinary session to advance your advocacy objectives
NGO Forum - You can participate in the NGO Forum in the lead-up to the ordinary session to coordinate your efforts with other like-minded organisations
