KWANZAA UNITY DECLARATION, 2011 AFTER THE PAN AFRICAN UNITY SUMMIT, DECEMBER 16, 2011: We, the undersigned collective leadership, commit ourselves to the items of agreement below. We ask you to join us if you and your organization are: (a) Committed to building the African Union and to contributing to the unification and development of Africa, (b) Committed to assist and participate with the African Diaspora in joining the AU as voting members, and (c) Committed to recognize Africa as your motherland and to use your networks to spread the word of the AU-Diaspora process and implementation. In order to accept the AU’s invitation to join it as voting members, we must present a united voice. Our acceptance is already late and does not need to be delayed any longer. Please join us in this effort. We agree to: I. Currently go on record in accepting the operational definition by the African Union of the African Diaspora, to wit: “ The African Diaspora consists of all peoples of African origin living outside the continent, irrespective of their citizenship and nationality, and who are willing to contribute to the development of the Continent and the building of the African Union.” Secondly, for purposes of recruitment, clarification and education in North America, and other regions, we agree to recognize Africa as the motherland, and we understand the current AU operational definition to include both the historical Diaspora and the modern Diaspora. At some point in the near future inside the AU we will move to have these two additional components annexed to the official AU definition of the African Diaspora. II. Abide by these Common Denominator Principles/Practices for Pan African collective work: 1. Principle of Mutual Respect: That mutual respect for colleagues and fellow warriors and reverence and respect for African traditions and heritage will guide our deliberations and work; 2. Principle of Inclusiveness: That the talent, skills, intelligence and creativity needed to increase African capacity and achieve Pan African unification is not and will not be determined by one’s political affiliation/ideology, gender, religion, language or class; 3. Principle of Unity Without Uniformity: That African descendants can be unified without uniformity and that forming Pan African partnerships for economic and political networking is necessary for moving forward; 4. Principle of Consistency: That Diasporans should work consistently and relentlessly to join and fully participate in the African Union as voting members, bringing all available resources, experience, diplomacy and skills to that effort; 5. Principle of African Democracy: That as members of the African Diaspora, we must work to develop inclusive democratic institutions for implementing the principles and goals of achieving the United States of Africa/Union of African States. 6. Principle of Equivalent Capacity Building: That the African Diaspora Sixth Region must be developed to a level equivalent to a viable African Regional Economic Community. III. Gain approval for and to implement, in compliance with the Statues of ECOSOCC’s mandate that representatives should be elected, the Town Hall/Community Council of Elders model that has been developed and utilized in North America and elsewhere within the last five years to elect African Diaspora delegates/representatives for the African Union. This method advocates the election of 4 members for ECOSOCC from the USA and 1 member from Canada. This body also recommends, using the same or a very similar democratic method, that 3 representatives are elected from Central America, 3 from the Caribbean, 4 from South America/Brazil, 4 from Europe and 1 from the Middle East/Asia, totaling 20 in all. That total of 20 is currently designated by the AU and can only be changed once we are inside the AU as voting members. IV. To immediately form and establish the North American African Diaspora Unity Council (NAADUC), whose membership will be based on organizations agreeing with the three stipulations noted above in the Introduction. Each member organization will have one vote on all issues, there will be a rotating chairperson for one year elected by the body, with the chair for each succeeding year being the Vice Chair-designate elected at the annual meeting, which will be held in Washington, D.C., unless changed by majority vote. There will also be at least bi-monthly digital meetings, and the Secretariat members for coordination and record keeping will be the AU Ambassador’s designated staff working with the staff of the current year’s chair. Other operational items will be voted upon as needed. All Pan African organizations which attended the AU Ambassador’s Unity Summit on December 16, 2011, are automatically included in NAADUC membership, upon written and oral agreement with this letter. All others who choose to join us, based on agreeing with all of the above, please contact paduorganizing@gmail.com. There will be a NAADUC meeting the last Saturday of January 2012 in Washington, D.C. to formalize all of the above and move forward in engaging the African Union and the rest of the African Diaspora. NAADUC will be a reference model for others in the African Diaspora. Sign and accept this declaration for practical Kwanzaa Unity. Email your organizational details and contact info to paduorganizing@gmail.com and/or perankh@gmail.com !