Accolades all round as successful CSO Week 2024 ends

Arusha. The commitment and passion shown by participants during this year’s CSO Week have drawn praise from the president of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Addressing delegates on CSO Week’s final day in Arusha, Lady Justice Imani Daud Aboud expressed her admiration for the zeal and dedication that was on display during the five-day event.

She spoke highly of the platform CSO Week 2024 has provided, saying it made it possible for civil society to collectively envision the future of Tanzania.

Lady Justice Aboud said the voices of Tanzanians were heard loud and clear as they articulated their aspirations for a brighter future and recalled a number of key themes that were highlighted during the week.

”Although I could not join you in person, I have been deeply inspired by the energy, passion and dedication demonstrated throughout CSO Week 2024. The voices of the people have been heard as they articulated their aspirations for a brighter future.”

She added that key among these are economic challenges Tanzania is grappling with and the importance of creating opportunities for financial inclusion and supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME)s.

Lady Justice Aboud said by enhancing access to financial resources and fostering entrepreneurship, Tanzania can empower its citizens, reduce poverty and drive sustainable economic growth.

She also spoke about good governance and accountability, describing them as essential for a prosperous and just Tanzania and called for transparency and effective leadership at all levels of government. By strengthening institutions and promoting civic engagement, Tanzania can ensure that its government serves the best interests of the people, Lady Justice Aboud added.

She also placed emphasis on youth’s and women’s empowerment, saying their inclusion is critical to the nation’s progress.

”We must invest in education, healthcare and leadership opportunities for young people,” Lady Justice Aboud said, adding that addressing the specific challenges faced by women is key to creating a more equitable society.

She further highlighted the need to simplify legal and regulatory frameworks for civil society organisations and businesses to enable them play a more active role in Tanzania’s development.

Access to accurate information and digital literacy, Lady Justice Aboud added, is essential for informed citizenship and meaningful advocacy.

She also drew attention to environmental sustainability and called for the adoption of climate action strategies.

Lady Justice Aboud praised initiatives such as the recycling efforts of the community-based group Chanzi, noting that such schemes are vital in protecting the environment and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

She also stressed the importance of effective and inclusive policy implementation, ensuring that development policies are not only well-designed but also executed in a way that benefits all Tanzanians.

Lady Justice Aboud urged civil society to continue its advocacy efforts, collaborate with the public and private sectors and empower communities to take ownership of their development.

Foundation for Civil Society board chair Mercy Sila also highlighted the success of CSO Week 2024 in her closing remarks.

She reminded delegates of the vital role civil society plays in Tanzania’s development and the importance of including all stakeholders in shaping the nation’s Vision 2050.

With over 900 participants and 140 speakers contributing to the week’s discussions, Ms Sila praised the collective efforts focused on the event’s theme – “Voice, Vision, Value”.

“To ensure we progress, we must empower young people to fully participate in the nation’s development. It is our duty to encourage the involvement of all stakeholders as we work towards attaining Tanzania’s development goals,” she added.