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TJNA will be joining WU Global Tax Policy Centre (WU GTPC) and the African Tax Institute (ATI) at the 2024 Summer School programme themed ‘Emerging Issues on the International Tax Agenda: The Changing Environment within which Tax Justice is Operating’  to unpack the impact of the international tax reforms on tax justice advocacy. 

The summer school will be held from 2-3 May 2024 at the University of Pretoria in Pretoria, South Africa, to build the capacity of civil society organisations, who in the last decade, have increasingly become involved in tax policy reform. 

The 2024 Summer School builds upon the 2023 Summer school which called upon civil society organisations in Africa to raise their efforts in shaping domestic resource mobilisation policies that promote a transparent and equitable tax system in Africa, under the theme ‘Enhancing the Capacity of Civil Society Organizations in Efforts to Curb Illicit Financial Flows.’  

The meeting will consider the emerging issues on the international tax agenda and map out the role of civil society organisations in this changing environment.  

The last two years have seen unprecedented reforms in international tax including the  Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD two pillar solution and the UN Resolution for the Promotion of Inclusive and Effective International Tax Cooperation which calls for more involvement of the UN in tax cooperation matters and a UN Framework Convention.  

At the same time, developing countries are faced with growing budget deficits and increased wealth inequalities. Discussions on the suitability of the international financial architecture are also taking place as countries grapple with limited progress in the implementation of the 2030 sustainable development goals. 

It is now more important than ever to advocate for policies that increase domestic resource mobilisation to meet development goals and for tax measures that act as a redistributive tool to reduce wealth inequalities. 

Participants will cover a wide range of topics, including; 

  • The potential impact of G20/ OECD tax proposals on Africa. 

  • The tax and Tariff implications of the recently signed African Continental Free Trade Agreement. 

  • The way that taxation systems should respond to the rapid growth of high-net-worth individuals in Africa. 

  •  The role of modern technologies – potential to transform tax systems and their interaction with taxpayer rights. 

Civil society organisations’  work in tax policy reform is important in shaping how domestic resource mobilisation efforts can be utilised to fund development and promoting a transparent and equitable tax system. The summer school will provide a platform for the African civil society organisations to produce a unified narrative as they continue to pursue their tax policy objectives. 

For more details about the 2024 Summer School, please contact gsirima [@] taxjusticeafrica.net.