17. The Conference recognizes the importance of promoting an African Civil Society, particularly NG0s. rooted in the realities of the Continent and calls on African governments to offer their constructive assistance with the aim of consolidating democracy and durable development. 18. The Conference calls upon all international organizations governmental, inter governmental and non governmental to cooperate and harmonize their initiatives with the OAU and its relevant organs as well as the various sub regional blocs within Africa for a more co ordinated approach to the implementation of Human Rights in Africa and for maximum effect of such programmes and initiatives. 19. The Conference notes that the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders by the 54 h Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights marks a significant turning point and calls on African governments to take appropriate steps to implement the Declaration in Africa. 20. The Conference appeals to the Secretary General of the OAU and the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights to develop appropriate strategies and take measures to sensitize and raise the awareness of African populations about Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law through formal and non formal educational processes comprising among others, a special module in school curricula. 21. The Conference recognizes that the media are important actors for building bridges between governments and peoples; it, therefore, urges States Parties to guarantee a free and independent press within their national borders to enable it play a role in the promotion of human rights in Africa. To this end, the Conference appeals to the Secretary General of the OAU to look into the possibility of providing assistance to media organizations on the Continent. 22. To ensure that Human Rights considerations are integrated into all OAU activities, the Conference recognizes the need for Human Rights to be reflected in the programmes of the Continental Organization. 23. The Conference noting that the working of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights is critical to the due observance of Human Rights in Africa, believes that there is a need to evaluate the structure and functioning of the Commission and to ascertain the extent to which it is implementing the Mauritius Plan of Action during the period of 1996 2001, and to assist it to remove all obstacles to the effective discharge of its functions. There is also an urgent need to provide the Commission with adequate human, material and financial resources. The Conference notes that under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, it is the Assembly of Heads of State and Government that is authorized to take decisive action on the activity reports of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights and expresses the hope that the Assembly would consider delegating this task to the Council of Ministers. The Conference underscores the fact that co operation between the African Commission and national human rights institutions will greatly enhance respect for Human Rights in Africa. In that regard, the Conference welcomes the decision by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights to grant affiliated status to National Human Rights Institutions. Concerned by the fact that the external debt burden is crippling the development efforts of Africa and undermining the fostering and sustenance of respect for Human Rights, the Conference appeals to the international community, especially multilateral financial agencies, to alleviate the external debt and take all steps necessary to reduce this burden on States to enable them to fully realize the economic emancipation of their peoples and enhance the maximum enjoyment of Human Rights by African peoples. The Conference requests the Secretary General of the OAU to submit this Declaration to the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, all African national governments, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, the