The ultimate objective of the African Union (AU) is the political and economic integration of the continent leading to the creation of the "United States of Africa". That objective and ideal was reiterated at the occasion of the recent African Union Summit held on 22-30 January 2007. In that respect, the organization decided to devote the forthcoming Ordinary Session (it will be the 9th Session) of the Assembly schedule in Accra (Ghana) in July 2007, to the theme: "Grand Debate on the Union Government".

To that end, Member States, the Commission of the AU and the Regional Economic Communities has been requested to undertake national, regional and continental consultations on the future of the Union. One may hope that the AU, as well as member States, will take this opportunity to get African populations involved more closely in the life of the Union and in the debate on its future. So far, different sub-regional and regional initiatives undertook throughout Africa and aimed at strenghtening political and economic integration have failed in involving African populations and national stakeholders (private sector, organizations of civil society, academia, etc.).

This gap is notable while observing the policy of representation of the AU toward Africa; a policy that has been caracterized by little efforts to bring the Union, its objectives and ideals closer to the populations; on the contrary, efforts were made, with reasons, towards political and diplomatic representation in key diplomatic hub (Geneva, New-York, etc.). In addition, the African Union also decided a couple of year ago to get involved Africans from the diapora; but very little has been done vis-à-vis populations on the continent, the primary target, in principle, of any economic integration initiative.

In that respect, great efforts must be undertaken in ordre to vulgarize the objectives and ideals of the AU as well as the organization itself: how it functions, what are its initiatives, its achievements, etc. In this vein, efforts undertaken by the Division of Communication and Information (DCI-AU) aiming at creating more awareness and enlightening the world in general and the youths in particular on the history of the AU and the activities of the AU Commission should be sustained and strengthened with a particular focus on African populations.