The CBA’s latest East Africa project has the green light to go ahead, now it needs to fill its resource bank with volunteers who have experience in the extractive sector.
In January 2017, the CBA and Global Affairs Canada finalized a contribution agreement for a five-year project, Supporting Inclusive Resource Development in East Africa, with an ultimate goal of increasing sustainable economic growth for people in the region, and particularly for women and vulnerable groups affected by extractive industries.
CBA International Initiatives will implement the project in partnership with law societies in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, countries where it has been active for almost two decades. The project’s intermediate goals are for:
- Increased engagement of East African law societies to advocate for law reform to reflect the principles of transparency, gender sensitivity and accountability in the extractive industries.
- Increased community participation in consultations, dialogue, negotiations, and advocacy to advance their rights related to the extractive industries.
The project held its inaugural Regional Forum in Arusha, Tanzania at the end of November. The theme of the forum was “Towards Transparency, Gender Sensitivity and Accountability: Extractive Industry Developments in East Africa.” It brought together participants from all three law societies as well as a range of national, regional and international extractive sector stakeholders, representatives from women’s groups, government, private sector, community agencies, academics and NGOs, to exchange knowledge and share best practices related to the governance of the extractive sector.
Can we sign you up?
Now CBAII is seeking to establish a database of volunteers to support the project. Volunteers may be asked to give their time to support project activities including training sessions, mentoring, legal research, developing law reform submissions, and community legal empowerment.
Volunteers should have at least some of the following desired qualifications:
- Extensive experience working on legal issues related to the extractive sector;
- Extensive knowledge of international standards and best practices in the governance of natural resources (oil, gas and mining) for sustainable development;
- Extensive experience in extractive sector regulation, aboriginal law, human rights, gender equality, environmental protection, international investment, community empowerment and/or corporate social responsibility;
- International development experience, especially in Africa;
- Experience developing training programs, and delivering training.
The above are considered assets and may not be necessary for all project activities.
If you’re a CBA member in good standing and you wish to be included in the resource bank, please send your letter of interest and CV to cbaidp@cba.org.