Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
THE COMMONWEALTH AND SOUTH AFRICA TO DISCUSS FUTURE CO-OPERATION
Co-operation between the Commonwealth and South Africa will be the subject of a major conference to be held at the Reserve Bank in Pretoria, South Africa from 2 to 3 June 1998. The Conference, which will be opened by the Commonwealth Secretary-General and a senior South African minister, will focus on the theme: "The Commonwealth and South Africa: Partnerships for the New Millennium".
The Conference will provide a forum to develop possible approaches to challenges including the consolidation of democracy, economic development and public sector reform, utilising partnerships within the Commonwealth association between governments, businesses, professional associations and non-governmental organisations. More than one hundred and thirty participants are expected to attend from the governmental and private sectors, as well as academics and journalists.
The Conference will also draw on the experiences of South Africa's transition to non-racial democracy which was actively supported by the Commonwealth, particularly in the period between 1991 and 1994. As part of those efforts, the Commonwealth initiated a special programme of assistance in 1993 to help support and consolidate the transition. More than 270 experts from 27 Commonwealth countries have provided assistance under the programme.
The areas for discussion at the Conference will include: public sector reform; electoral management; the private sector and civil society; human resource development and capacity building; justice; gender; and democratic institutions.
By invitation of the Speaker Hon, Frene Ginwala, the Commonwealth Secretary-General will address members of Parliament in the national assembly chambers at 14h00 on Monday 1 June 1998.
For further information contact: Commonwealth Secretariat Development Adviser's Office, Bruma, Johannesburg Tel: (011) 622 6972 or cell: 082413 1043 Fax: (011) 622 9928