Workshop - Review of the West Africa Report

The ECOWAS/SWAC workshop was co-chaired by Mr. Lambert N’Galadjo Bamba, ECOWAS Commissioner responsible for macro-economic policies, and Mr. Raymond Weber of the SWAC. Participants discussed in a multidisciplinary approach the draft texts of the 2007-2008 West Africa Report. Over the two days, intense exchanges of views highlighted West African perspectives on the main challenges facing the region. 

The Report analyses three forms of capital: (i) natural capital through primary resources such as water, forests and minerals, (ii) cultural and social capital with regard to its artistic, linguistic and community aspects, and (iii) economic capital through infrastructure development or formal and informal sector dynamics. > learn more

  Objectives

• Share and carry out strategic thinking on the creation of a regular Report on the challenges and perspectives for the development of West Africa
• Review a series of chapters prepared for the Report’s first issue
• Discuss within the Editorial Committee the follow-up to the process as well as the promotion activities with a view to the Report’s finalisation and dissemination scheduled for the 2nd term of 2008

  Results 

• Revised strategic focus and contents of draft texts

  Next Steps

• Organise an Editorial Committee meeting (2 days in April) with 4 experts (English-speaking/French-speaking; North/South) to validate the Report
• Draft a summary of the West African Report which will be presented to the next ECOWAS Summit of Heads of State and Government to be held in June 2008

  Participants & Support

• The Workshop brought together approximately fifteen West African experts: academics, researchers and civil society actors.
• This Workshop also received support from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

   Contacts: 

• Mr. Raymond Weber, SWAC
• Mr. Sylla Kalilou, ECOWAS

   Learn more:

• Information Brochure