Drawing extra-governmental constituencies into regional integration initiatives is important in ensuring that durable systems emerge. The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) shows that in Africa, as in much of the world, involving civil society and business in regional integration efforts has been difficult. The primary reasons for this are a lack of awareness of integration processes, along with underdeveloped civil society and business organisations (especially organisations geared at transnational relations). Bodies set up to help facilitate such engagement – notably the continent’s regional parliaments – have failed to alter this dynamic. To foster broader engagement, public education must be undertaken, together with better organisation and mobilisation by civil society and business. (by Terence Corrigan)    pdf  View file (71.67 kB)