Chapter 23: Africa "Organization of African Unity"

Introduction
Students have read about the Organization of African Unity (OAU), founded in 1963 by 32 African nations. Although its original vision of creating a United States of Africa failed, the OAU did help to build a strong African identity and to coordinate national defense, health, and other policies. The OAU was reorganized as the African Union in 1999.

Lesson Description
Students will go to the African Union Web site. They will then answer four questions about what they have read.

Instructional Objectives
1. Students will learn more about the origins and purposes of the AU.
2. Students will learn how the AU operates.

Student Web Activity Answers
1. They are to promote unity; coordinate political, economic, cultural, medical, scientific, and defense policies; defend the independence and territorial integrity of the member states; and eliminate colonialism on the continent.
2. Peacekeeping efforts are made through the Commission of Mediation, Conciliation, and Arbitration, as well as through ad hoc [temporary] committees.
3. The General Secretariat carries out resolutions and decisions of the assembly, keeps archives, and conducts the organization's public relations.
4. Answers will vary. Some students may point to the tremendous progress toward unity and cooperation among African nations as evidence that this goal will someday be achieved; others may believe that the size and cultural diversity of the continent make this goal unrealistic.

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