Welcome to the
Composition, Structure and Management
The ASSN integrates existing networks (working on security and security-related issues), both formal and informal, by organisations, and individuals pertaining to civil society, academia, continental and regional organisations, and the various security government institutions. This enables the ASSN to engage practitioners, policy-makers, members of parliament, academics and civil society actors within an organised networking framework that engenders dialogue, exchange of experiences and lesson learning. The network membership is fluid and keeps growing with the realisation of subsequent meetings. People who hear about the initiative by word of mouth or through the Internet are anxious to join. Although the ASSN has no formal structure, a minimal mechanism was created in order to ensure coordination of the network and its activities. A Steering Committee is to be elected every two years and its composition is explained below:
- A Chair for a period of two years rotating between regions and between the different major language groupings of the continent (French, English and Portuguese). The chair will deal with strategic management, co-ordination and the administration of the Steering Committee.
- Five members drawn from the five different African sub-regions.
- Co-opted members with requisite skills and expertise in the areas identified as necessitating more attention from the network in the respective two-year timeline.
- Observers from both international and African donor groupings if and when required.