Page 48 - sadc40en

SARCOF
The Southern African Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF) is a process that was
started in 1997 so that all partners in the climate forecast community can collaborate on
the development of a consensus regional forecast, which is provided free of charge. Updates
to the forecast are conducted periodically throughout the rainfall season.
1997-98 The 17 SADC Summit was held in Blantyre, Malawi on 8 September 1997, hosted by
th
President Dr Bakili Muluzi, and chaired by President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela of South
Africa.
SADC Declaration on Gender and Development
The 17 SADC Summit made a landmark Declaration on Gender and Development that
th
accepts gender equality as a fundamental human right and demands equal representation
of women and men in decision-making structures at all levels as well as women’s full access
to, and control of productive resources such as land, livestock, credit, modern
technology and formal employment. The Secretary-General of the Fourth
World Conference on Women held in Beijing, China in 1995, Gertrude
Mongella from the United Republic of Tanzania, was a special guest at this
Summit. She told SADC leaders that the Declaration reflected their
willingness to adapt with the times, and she expressed hope that the new
institutional framework, including a Gender Unit at the SADC Secretariat
would be placed at a senior level in decision-making structures and allocated
sufficient resources.
38
SADC Parliamentary Forum
The 17 SADC Summit welcomed the initiative for the SADC Parliamentary
th
Forum comprising the national parliaments of Member States, and approved
its establishment as an autonomous institution, saying this will promote dialogue
and popular participation in the affairs of SADC. The objectives are to
familiarise and bring SADC closer to the people of the region, seeking their
views on matters of common interest, and strengthening the concept of community building
through closer cooperation, networking and effective implementation, as well as promoting
the shared principles of human rights and democracy. The SADC PF is hosted by the
Parliament of Namibia in Windhoek and the founding Chairperson is the Speaker of the
National Assembly, Dr M. Tjitendero.

Protocol on Mining
The Protocol on Mining was signed, providing for harmonisation of national and regional
policies, strategies and programmes for the development of mineral resources through
interdependence and integration of the region’s mining industry to increase its share in
international markets.

Protocol on Education and Training
The Protocol on Education and Training provides a policy framework for the
harmonisation and standardisation of national education and training systems, including
policies; basic, intermediate and higher education and training; research and development;
publishing and library services.

SADC Declaration on Landmines
The Declaration Towards a Southern Africa Free of Anti-Personnel Landmines envisages
a region free of landmines and calls for a total ban on the use, production, trade and
stockpiling of anti-personnel landmines in SADC Member States, recalling the human
suffering unleashed on innocent civilians.