• The Africa-EU Partnership on Democratic Governance and Human Rights is a forum for dialogue between the continents to discuss democratic governance and human rights.
• The partnership also implements programmes and actions to improve electoral observation, tackle corruption, stop illicit trafficking and prevent torture.
• Effective development, according to the partnership, also spans across the promotion and inclusion of culture and creativity.
• Human rights are a priority. The partnership develops and funds workshops to ensure that fundamental freedoms and respect for human rights is maintained.
•  It also helps to improve the freedom of association and aides the plight of women victimised by war and conflict.

Democracy and the respect for human rights are shared values between Europe and Africa; they are also critical issues to the development of any society. With the Joint Africa/EU Strategy the two sides have committed to conduct an in-depth dialogue on human rights and democratic governance, to promote these values on a global level in international fora and to strengthen their cooperation in this field. From this dialogue and cooperation comes understanding, cooperation, and programmes that bond leaders, civil society, and citizens in the pursuit of governance and human rights.

But with any such vast endeavour arise a number of challenges. Both the AU and the EU understand the sensitivity of some of these issues yet they are determined to strengthen partnerships. Implementation of the Action Plan might in some areas not be as fast as either side might have wished to see in some of the areas. However, many concrete results have been achieved be it in the area of human rights dialogue, election observation or in the setting up of an African Governance Architecture. Recent developments show that this particular partnership is catching up and that more concrete deliverables can be expected even before the next Africa-EU summit, such as the setting up of a joint platform for dialogue and cooperation on issues of common concern. This is particularly welcome since the Africa-EU Partnership on Democratic Governance and Human Rights is an essential component in the overall aims of development and progress.

The Africa-EU Partnership on Democratic Governance and Human Rights was launched during the 2nd Africa-EU Summit in December 2007, Lisbon, Portugal where the First Action Plan (2008-2010) was adopted, and has three priority actions.

1. Enhance dialogue at global level and in international fora

Goals

• Find common positions and specific initiatives on key aspects of the governance and human rights agendas.
• Coordinate positions on global issues in international fora such as the UN Human Rights Council, the 2nd and 3rd Commission of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Conference of State Parties to the AU and United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).
• Co-operation in the prevention of, and fight against, international terrorism, drugs and organised crime.

Expected outcomes

• Ratification and implementation of the international and continental legislative framework (UN conventions, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, ILO Conventions, Financial Action Task Force recommendations).
• Progress in the compliance with international obligations in the field of democratic governance and human rights.
• Enhance influence through coordinated positions of the EU and AU in the Human Rights Council.
• Enhance cooperation in the fight against corruption.
• Progress in the areas of prevention of ill-treatment and torture, promotion of international justice.

2. Promote the African peer review mechanism (APRM) and support the African charter on democracy, elections and governance

Goals

• Establish a more efficient African governance architecture through enhanced support for the implementation of the outcomes of the APRM process and the implementation of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.
• Strength capacities to combat corruption.
• Create more effective and efficient public services and administration in Africa.
• Enhance awareness of the APRM processes in African countries.

Expected outcomes

• Establish an effective and a functional Pan-African governance architecture through ratification and enhanced implementation of its instruments.
• Improve cooperation on the implementation of the recommendations of the APRM process.

3. Strengthen cooperation in the area of cultural goods, cultural interaction, twin programmes between museums from Africa and EU

Goals

• Common positions on policies, strategies and cooperation in the area of cultural goods.
• Enhance cooperation and exchanges between European and African cultural actors, such as museums, artists, experts, research institutes.
• Progress in the implementation of relevant international instruments to facilitate the protection and promotion of cultural goods, and to combat illicit trade of cultural goods.
• Progress towards the return of illegally acquired cultural goods to their countries of origins in line with relevant international conventions.
• Enhance cooperation to facilitate the protection and promotion of cultural expression and cultural diversity.

Expected outcomes

• Find common positions on policies, strategies and cooperation in the area of cultural goods.
• Enhance cooperation and exchanges between European and African cultural actors, such as museums, artists, experts, research institutes.
• Progress in the implementation of relevant international instruments to facilitate the protection and promotion of cultural goods, and to combat illicit trade of cultural goods.
• Progress towards the return of illegally acquired cultural goods to their countries of origins in line with relevant international conventions.
• Enhance cooperation to facilitate the protection and promotion of cultural expressions and cultural diversity.