The programme of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Sudan Office will focus on three main areas in 2007: The promotion of democratic transformation and peace in Sudan; the support of just and equitable socio-economic policies in Sudan, and human security and security policy in Sudan and the Greater Horn of Africa.

In 2007, FES Sudan Office will continue to cooperate with its well established partners: civil society organisations, governmental and political institutions, and universities. Since it is of particular importance that the diverse cultures of Sudan are reflected in the activities of FES Sudan Office, it is envisaged to increase the number of activities in Southern Sudan as well as on the states level in the ongoing year.

A policy of gender mainstreaming is pursued on all levels of the programme.

The Civil Society Peace Initiative will continue organising public Peace Fora. This successful series of fora was initiated after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA - 9^th of January 2005) to offer a platform for debate about the contents, challenges and opportunities of the agreement. The Peace Fora, since November 2006 financed by the British Embassy Peace Building Fund, are convened in Khartoum and in the various regions of the country.

Promoting national dialogue – A new vision for Sudan?

FES Sudan Office supports initiatives for the development of a national dialogue in Sudan. Key to the programme is the quest for a vision for Sudan, and to develop scenarios for the future – including possible consequences of unity or separation after the Sudanese referendum 2011. Moreover, this year’s programme contains a variety of training sessions on peaceful coexistence, dialogue and democracy for young people in particular.

Legal Reform – Realisation of a federal national constitution

The CPA and Interim National Constitution (INC) of 2005 have stipulated legal reform on different levels of the federal state of Sudan. This legal reform and in particular its realisation on the state level is crucial for the democratic transformation in the Sudan. Therefore, a number of fora and workshops will concentrate on the powers of the states according to the CPA and INC, and the respective legal implications. On the federal level, FES Sudan Office supports the civil society organisations’ efforts for an amendment of the personal status law and Sudan’s ratification of CEDAW.

Elections – Promotion of free and fair standards

As Sudan has announced to conduct elections in 2008/9 for the presidency, parliament, Southern Sudan, and the federal states, FES Sudan Office supports the preparations of the government, parties, and civil society for free and fair elections. In cooperation with national and international experts FES has been supporting the process of the drafting the national election law. From the middle of 2007 FES Sudan Office intends to start a programme of civil society based voters education.  

The close cooperation between FES Sudan Office and the Sudanese Trade Union Movement will also continue in 2007. The changing structure of the Sudanese economy and its implications for workers and the different segments of Sudanese society are the main focus of this years programme:

Ž      Globalisation and the internationalisation of trade, i.e. the intended Sudanese membership of the World Trade Organisation, and trade relations between Sudan and Asia

Ž      The rapid privatisation of all sectors of the Sudanese economy and the growing foreign direct investments.

While the dramatic economic changes require a review of the labour legislation mainly with respect to the private sector, particular focus will be on women working conditions in all sectors of the economy.

FES, the Public Corporation of Workers Education and the Sudanese Workers Trade Union Federation will organise training workshops in the different industries in the regions, i.e. the harbour industries in Port Sudan, cement industries in the states, and the sugar factory in Kenana.

Economic Policy Development: Alternatives to current policies – Focusing on the regionalisation of markets.

Promotion of alternative economic policies for Sudan is the theme of a series of fora and workshops. One focus will be on the realisation of the fiscal and financial federalism according to the CPA. This requires not only a policy shift by the national government, yet also extensive capacity building on state level.

Another focus will be on the emerging regional and international markets and trade structures. Expert meetings and workshops are planned to support the debate, and raise awareness about these new economic patterns in Sudan and the East African region. Towards the end of 2007, FES Sudan Office intends to publish an alternative economic report on Sudan.

Following the annual consultation with partner organisations, FES decided to highlight increasing insecurity and the prospects for human security in Sudan. With Sudanese experts and activists the new paradigm of human security will be promoted at several expert fora.

On the level of the FES East Africa programme, a third regional expert meeting on security policy at the Greater Horn of Africa will be jointly organised by FES Egypt and FES Sudan in November 2007. Experts from the region and representatives of regional institutions will be invited to discuss the recent developments, and the regionalisation and internationalisation of the security sector in the region.

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