The SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) plays a pivotal role in promoting regional integration, democratic governance, and the protection of human rights across Member States. In pursuit of these objectives, the Standing Committee on Democratisation, Governance and Human Rights (DGHR) will host a public hearing on 25 th October 2024 to explore the role of SADC PF in advancing citizen participation in regional integration. This platform will provide an opportunity for a wide range of stakeholders, including parliamentarians, citizens, civil society, youth, and experts, to contribute to discussions on strengthening democracy, electoral integrity, and inclusive development. The public hearing will focus on key electoral governance issues and democratic consolidation, with the aim of facilitating enhanced accountability, peacebuilding, and conflict prevention across the SADC region. This aligns with the Forum’s Strategic Plan (2024-2028) vision, which is to be the proponent for robust democracy that effectively delivers human rights, climate action, and socio-economic prosperity for Southern Africa." Furthermore, it is in line with Article 6 of the SADC PF Constitution, which mandates the institution to strengthen SADC’s implementation capacity by involving parliamentarians in its affairs, advocating for the ratification and domestication of SADC Protocols, and providing a platform for discussions on matters of common interest to SADC. It is also anticipated that the transformation of SADC PF into a SADC Parliament will naturally enhance its role in facilitating public participation in the SADC Agenda.

The meeting will run from 09:00 to 16:30 CAT on 25 th October 2024 on the following Zoom link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UggyZ3haTPibOp4Z1_3Czw#/registration