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The Congress Working Committee of the Congress of the People met at its first session for 2010 on Monday, 18th January to consider the organizational programme for 2010. The discussions around the organizational programme were informed by the statement of the Congress National Committee which was delivered by the President on 16 December 2009.

The organizational programme for 2010 is based on the state of our organisation, our achievements in the past twelve months, the challenges that we were confronted with in carrying out our organizational and political work, as well as those challenges that confront our public representatives at local, provincial and national levels of government.

This programme will be tabled at the Strategic Planning Session of the Congress National Committee to be held on the 05 -07 February 2010. The Strategic Planning Session will be attended by members of the CNC, representatives of COPE Youth

Movement, COPE Women's Movement, COPE Student Movement and all public representatives of COPE at local, provincial and national level.

It is this Strategic Planning Session that will extensively discuss the state of the organization and our work in various legislatures with a view of strengthening the capacity of the Congress of the People to continue to defend the Constitution and our democracy. It is important that the strategy session also maps out approaches by COPE at all levels on issues of health policy, education, Energy, broadcasting bill, Economic, jobs, poverty, social and economic infrastructure, rural development, service delivery and preparations for local government.

The Strategic Planning Session will also discuss preparations for the 2011 Local Government Elections as well as identify issues that COPE should concentrate on.

As stated in our statement on 16 December 2010, the Congress of the People will hold a National Policy Conference during the first half of 2010. The conference will provide a platform for the organization to discuss challenges confronting our society in various sectors and accordingly develop policy positions that are aimed at providing solutions.

2010 is also a year of the long awaited National Elective Congress of the Congress of the People. Arising out of the Strategic Planning Session, final dates of the National Congress will be announced. However, it is important to note that the processes of organizing for the National Congress are already underway.

As we convene here today, our provinces are seized with the task of preparing both branches and regions towards their launching conferences. This process will culminate into Provincial Congress to be held as soon as is practically possible. While the election of leadership is important, of utmost priority is developing policies that continue to capture the imagination of our people.

The CWC noted a number of statements by members and supporters and structures of the party on the state of the organization. The CWC welcomes all comments and criticism aimed at strengthening the organization from all quarters.

We however urge all members to utilize internal processes to raise such issues in order to allow for robust debates and consideration by all structures. It is our considered view that all proposals and comments should be aimed at strengthening the party rather than send a message of a party in disarray.

We will continue to engage all our structures and members on developing an approach to fostering debates, criticism and proposals throughout the party.
The CWC also held a meeting with the leadership of COPE Youth Movement on the 19th January 2010 at their. This meeting discussed both organizational and operational issues.

In this instance, the meeting agreed on the need to integrate organizational programmes and ensure that the Youth Movement continue to occupy a center stage in mobilizing young people behind the vision and programme of COPE. The party will also continue to provide political and administrative support as well as political guidance to the Youth Movement.

The COPEYM briefed the CWC about the process of finalizing a discussion document on challenges facing the party. This document will be made available for consideration by the CNC once adopted by their structures. At the moment it remains a drat discussion document of COPEYM.