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The AU Commission Chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has held today, Tuesday 23 October, her first meeting with staff members of the AU Commission. Dr Dlamini Zuma was making her first address to staff members of the Commission since she was installed as Chairperson on the 15th of October. In the meeting, held in the old conference center of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Dr Dlamini Zuma outlined 4 key internal areas that her administration will work on. These are: Improved capacity and effectiveness; Improved internal and external communication; Resource mobilisation and Gender equality.

Focusing on the necessity to work for the improved communication, the Chairperson said that the AU does a lot, but there is ignorance about the good work that is being done. Good communication, she said, is important so that African people on the continent understand what the African Union does. Citizens should understand "our successes and challenges", she added. "Only when they know the Union, will they support it. Not enough about the AU is known reiterated Dr. Dlaminin Zuma, adding “we must focus on both external and internal communication”. She also pledged that her leadership will continue to hold regular meetings with staff to ensure that everyone knows what is going on at all levels.

Regarding the resource mobilisation, Dr Dlamini Zuma said the AU Commission will never have enough resources and that it should do more to mobilise. In this respect, she said it is necessary to raise more resources from the continent in addition to those from partners.

Coming to the gender equality, the Chairperson put the issue in the context of the decision by African Heads of State and Government at the formation of the AU in 2002, which made gender equity a key principle of the Union. She said "This decade has been declared the African Women's Decade, so it will be important to pay special attention to gender equity during the decade and beyond". The Commission, she said, has equity at Commissioner level, but the same cannot be said of the other levels within the Commission.

Further to the 4 key areas, Dr Dlamini Zuma outlined the work ethic expected within the Commission. She emphasised the need to work hard, in a disciplined and productive manner. The leadership, she said will lead by example and will not expect staff to do what it cannot do. Her leadership, she said, will work in as transparent a manner as possible so that everyone knows what is expected of them.

"We will be fair and firm", she concluded.