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Botswana Speaks Parliamentary Initiative

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Launched in September 2012, the Botswana Speaks Parliamentary Initiative is working to enable citizens, traditional leaders, and local kgotla assemblies to share their views and policy concerns with their elected representatives through the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Using mobile technologies, the project links local tribal meetings with national government, essentially letting citizens voice their concerns and needs at a national level. The project partners are the Parliament of Botswana, eGovlab at Stockholm University and Gov2u with the collaboration of Business Sweden, and it is co- funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

Communication Strategies

Constituents from four key constituencies (Maun West, Nata/Gweta, Boteti North, and South East South) use an online platform called USpeak to share an issue, an opinion or to request information to their Member of Parliament. They can also submit an issue via the online platform or send it via SMS. Citizens from other constituencies can also take part in Botswana Speaks using Speak4Yourself to discuss and debate issues and legislation that is currently being discussed in the Parliament. All Members of Parliament can participate in these debates and receive input. Along with the online dialogues, constituency meetings are organised in villages of the four pilot constituencies to discuss issues that concern people and that they want to share with their Member of Parliament.

In April 2013, the four Members of Parliament (MPs) involved in the Botswana Speaks Parliamentary Initiative announced the launch of its pilot phase, explaining its functioning and objectives to the representatives of local and national media. Workshops were held with the four MPs involved in the project as well as their constituency administrators and the Parliament staff to present the functioning of the platform and discuss the way ahead for the success of the pilot phase. A constituency tour was organised in the four pilot constituencies from April 11 to April 16 to present the Botswana Speaks platform in all four constituencies to local authorities and citizens.

 

The online platform is not intended to replace the Kgotla system, but rather be supplementary to the existing system that has been used to raise issues as well as to comment on any bills and pieces of legislation and motions that are being discussed in Parliament. According to the project, the scheme represents a meeting of tradition and innovation.

 

People can also interact with the project through the Botswana Speaks facebook page.

Development Issues

Governance, New technologies

Key Points

According to Botswana Speaks, Botswana has experienced remarkable levels of political stability and economic development in a region not normally associated with growth and good governance. Widely praised for its long established practice of popular consultation and levels of social cohesion, Botswana's case constitutes a prime example of the way in which traditional structures can be successfully integrated within contemporary administrative structures.

Partners

Parliament of Botswana, Stockholm University, Gov2u, with the collaboration of Business Sweden. Botswana Speaks is co-funded by SIDA.

Sources

Botswana Speaks website and Botswana Speaks press release [PDF] on May 20 2013.