iii. Promoting and protecting economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights as enshrined in all African and international human rights instruments; iv. Upholding the separation of powers, including protecting the independence of the judiciary and of an effective Parliament; v. Ensuring accountable and efficient public officeholders and civil servants; vi. Fighting corruption in the political sphere; vii. Promoting and protecting the rights of women; viii. Promoting and protecting the rights of children and young persons; and, ix. Promoting and protecting the rights of vulnerable groups, including displaced persons and refugees. Economic Governance and Management Objectives i. Promoting macroeconomic policies that support sustainable development; ii. Implementing transparent, predictable and credible state economic policies; iii. Promoting sound public finance management; iv. Fighting corruption and money laundering; and, v. Accelerating regional integration by participating in the harmonisation of monetary, trade and investment policies among the participating states. Corporate Governance Objectives i. Providing an enabling environment and effective regulatory framework for economic activities; ii. Ensuring that corporations act as good corporate citizens with regard to human rights, social responsibility and environmental sustainability; iii. Promoting the adoption of codes of good business ethics in achieving the objectives of the organisation; iv. Ensuring that corporations treat all their stakeholders (shareholders, employees, communities, suppliers and customers) in a fair and just manner; and, v. Making provision for the accountability of corporations and directors. Socio-economic Development Objectives i. Promoting self-reliance in development and building capacity for self-sustaining development; ii. Accelerating socio-economic development to achieve sustainable development and the eradication of poverty; iii. Strengthening policies, delivery mechanisms, and outputs in key social development areas (including education for all and combating HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases); iv. Ensuring affordable access to water, energy, finance (including microfinance markets, and information and communication technology to all citizens, especially the rural poor); v. Ensuring progress towards gender equality, particularly equal access to education for girls at all levels; and, vi. Encouraging broad-based participation in development by all stakeholders at all levels. 22