The 12 African journalists, representing newspapers, news agencies, radio and TV channels, were from Algeria, Cameroon, Kenya, Mozambique, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

The initiative followed a similar programme organised in Abuja, Nigeria, from 29 October to 2 November, for the NEPAD Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue and the exchange of experiences relating to the APRM.

The journalists learned about the functioning of Pan-African institutions such as the PAP and NEPAD and participated in a workshop on development strategy for the continent.

During their stay IN South Africa they sent reports, analyses and interviews to their media, as well as posting information on the Pan-African Parliament and NEPAD web sites. Further training will be organised in the coming months on the continent and elsewhere with the aim of making NEPAD better known.

The vision of the Pan African Parliament

The Pan African Parliament (PAP) was established in March 2004, by Article 17 of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, as one of the nine organs provided for in the treaty establishing the African Economic Community signed in Abuja, Nigeria, in 1991.

The vision of the Pan-African Parliament is to provide a common platform for African peoples and their grass-roots organisations to be more involved in discussions and decision-making on the problems and challenges facing the continent.

It holds its sittings in Midrand, outside Johannesburg, South Africa.

Source : nepad news - november 24, 2006