6 S O U T H E R N A F R I C A N D E V E L O P M E N T C O M M U N I T Y SADC is in the process of elaborating strategies and itate the move towards deeper integration and poverty programmes through the Strategic Indicative Plan for the eradication. These are discussed in more detail in the Organ on Politics, Defense and Security, these will not be following chapters and include: repeated in this RISDP. • Intensifying the fight against HIV and AIDS; • Gender mainstreaming and the empowerment of 1.5.2 Economic and Corporate Governance Good economic and corporate governance is another set of enablers that are essential for the realisation of deeper integration and poverty eradication in the SADC Region. women; • Rapid adoption and internalisation of Information Communication Technologies; • Diversification of regional economies through, inter alia, industrial development and value addition; There is some shared understanding that the unification • Trade liberalisation and development; of the Region's economies through the SADC FTA and the • Liberalisation in the movement of factors of production; quest to achieve deeper levels of integration will not be • Research, science and technology innovation, develop- realised in the absence of good economic and corporate governance. In the context of this RISDP, good economic and corporate governance should be understood to include: sound macroeconomic management; transparent public financial management and accountability; first-class banking supervision and financial regulation; and rigorous, best practice corporate governance. SADC identifies closely with the NEPAD programme which lays emphasis on inclusive participatory national economic policy process, good corporate ethics underpinned by the principles of openness, integrity and accountability, as ment and diffusion; • The creation of an enabling institutional environment; • Productivity and competitiveness improvements; • Private sector development and involvement; and • Development of a balanced and socially equitable information and knowledge based society. All the above are interrelated and supportive of each other and none can meaningfully impact on the integration and poverty eradication agenda if implemented in isolation. All are crucial for moving towards sustainable development and require careful sequencing and timing if they are to be effective as catalysts for deeper integration and poverty eradication. well as enforcement of internationally accepted relevant codes and standards. In line with the 1992 Windhoek Declaration, SADC is also committed to promoting the participation of civil society, including local government structures, in community building at both regional and national levels. In this context, efforts are underway towards developing a framework for enhancing civil society participation in SADC. 1.6 SCOPE AND PURPOSE OF THE REGIONAL INDICATIVE STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN (RISDP) According to the Agreement Amending the SADC Treaty, based on the strategic priorities of SADC and its Common Agenda, the RISDP aligns the strategic objectives and priorities with the policies and strategies to be pursued 1.5.3 Other Prerequisites for Deeper Integration and Poverty Eradication towards a diversity of those goals over a period of fiteen Good political and economic governance, entrenched in a The RISDP is indicative in nature and outlines the culture of democracy, transparency and respect for the necessary conditions that should be realised towards the rule of law, represent the bedrock upon which this RISDP attainment of SADC's regional integration and develop- is premised. These kernels are, as indicated in previous ment goals. In other words, it is not a prescriptive or a sections, embodied in the Windhoek Declaration and the command type of plan. In view of the need to monitor and Treaty establishing SADC (both the original and amended measure progress, the RISDP sets targets that indicate versions). major milestones towards the attainment of agreed goals. There are several other prerequisites that will facil- years. It is designed to provide strategic direction with respect to SADC programmes, projects and activities. In this connection, the RISDP sets up a logical and