The Organization of African Unity Now known as African Union - Research Paper Example

Download file to see previous pages Thesis statement: The organizational set up, responsibilities and social services provided by the African Union proves to be successful within the scenario of social work in Africa (special references to the social services provided by African Union in Africa and its involvement in current issues). African Union: Organizational set up       First of all, almost all the African nations have membership in African Union (AU). For instance, excluding Morocco, present strength of African Union is 53. African Union, a social work organization for creating unity among the African nations was established in the year 2002. Besides, Organisation of Africa Unity (AOU) was the mother organization of AU. Okoth (2006) opines that “Some of the guiding principles of the AU are similar to those of its predecessor, the OAU” (p. 325). The organizational set up of AU is based on centralization and concentration of power which is fully vested in the center but with equal power to the member states. For instance, the decision making force of AU is the Assembly of the African Union. Badejo (2008) states that “The AU carries out its business through many organs, agencies, and non-governmental organizations” (p. 39). The secretariat (say, African Union Commission) of AU is in Addis Ababa, which is situated in Ethiopia.           The AU is divided into two bodies: political and administrative.   As pointed out, the decision making process is principally vested upon the Assembly, which consists of members/representatives from member states. The present chairman is Bingu wa Mutharika, who represents Malawi. Besides, the representative body of AU, namely Pan African Parliament includes 265 members. Idriss Ndele Moussa is the present president of Pan African Parliament.       The Executive Council’s duty within AU includes the preparation of decisions to be taken by the Assembly. Besides, the Executive Council is an important political institution within the AU. The Permanent Representatives Committee, another political institution includes the ambassadors of member states within AU. The Economic, Social, and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), a consultative body, is under AU. Moreover, the AU Commission, the secretariat or political head is presently chaired by Jean Ping.       The African Union Commission is the most important administrative wing within AU. The other administrative bodies of AU include African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (to resolve human rights issues among the member states), and New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) (aiming to accelerate development of the member states). The Pan-African Parliament is another important governing body which accelerates the smooth functioning of AU as an influential organization. So, one can easily identify that the AU follows the centralized mode of power division. But this centralization of power does not limit the power of the member states because decision making power is solely vested upon the Assembly, which consists of member states. In short, the centralization of power within a single authority and the decision making power vested upon the assembly proves that the same is the best possible way that can be adopted by any social ...Download file to see next pagesRead More