Communication for Good Governance
This edition of The Soul Beat covers a range of communication initiatives that aim to promote good governance. In the book "Citizens as Partners - Information, Consultation and Public Participation in Policy-Making", the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development defines good governance by outlining 8 major characteristics: "It is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law. It assures that corruption is minimized, the views of minorities are taken into account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making." (OECD, 2001).
This newsletter features a selection of projects, strategic thinking documents, evaluations, materials and trainings that highlight the role that the media, information and communication technologies (ICTs), citizen education, and citizen participation can play in contributing towards good governance in Africa.
1. Network of African Youths Against Corruption (NAYAC) - Africa
This organisation is a network of African youths devoted to promoting good governance and its tenets - transparency, accountability and good leadership with emphasis on united and exclusive efforts in fighting corruption. The organisation was founded in 2001 by a group of African youths and students from Universities in four African States. NAYACAfrica disseminates vital information on governance, development and human rights and empowers youth to become active agents against corruption through the provision of education, training, research and capacity building.
Contact info@nayacafrica.org
2. USAID/OTI Sudan Programme - Sudan
The United States Agency for International Development's Office of Transition Initiatives (USAID/OTI) programme focuses on increasing access to balanced information, promoting good governance and providing conflict resolution expertise in areas vulnerable to violence in southern Sudan. The projects efforts are linked to on-going southern Sudanese peace processes, and peace building programmes that promote good governance practices and increase the participation of southern Sudanese in their governance structures. The establishment of an independent media is a key component of this intervention.
Contact nsaleh@usaid.gov
3. Transparency International Young Journalists Training - Uganda
In response to severe constraints from anti-press laws which are adversely affecting investigative journalism in Uganda, Transparency International (TI) Uganda organised a training session for journalists, aimed at promoting a culture of investigative reporting to enhance accountable governance. The project was built on the premise that a strengthened and informed media is crucial in the process of providing reliable information to citizens, enabling them to participate in the democratic consolidation process. The training involved a set of workshops, round-table discussions and on-site visits.
Contact aledibian@yahoo.com OR wafuguttu@yahoo.com OR mubbale@transparencyuganda.org
4. Civic Education - Somalia
This UNESCO project used radio programmes to educate the public on peace and good governance. The project aimed to contribute to the development of long-lasting, secure peace in Somalia through developing discussion among Somalis and agencies about the culture of peace and good governance values, attitudes and practices. This volunteer based community education project targeted Somalis living in Somalia and in refugee camps in adjacent countries.
Contact Pamela Collett civedsom@unesco.unon.org OR Jim Lindsay james.lindsay@dfat.gov.au
5. Youth for Good Governance - Zambia
This is a project of the Network of African Youth Against Corruption - Zambia (NAYAC-Zambia), a youth organisation that promotes accountable leadership and runs anti-corruption awareness clubs in schools. The programme is run in collaboration and partnership with the World Bank Institute (WBI) and aims to educate young people who aspire to join public office, so that they can play a positive role in Zambia's development process and develop practical skills to resist and fight corruption. The project targets Zambian high school and college students and works in close co-operation with teachers' associations.
Contact nayacz@yahoo.com OR Isaac Mwanza isaacmwanza@yahoo.com OR Sahr J. Kpundeh skpundeh1@worldbank.org
6. Development Broadcasting Unit - Malawi
This civic education radio project aimed to establish a sustainable framework for a broadcast dialogue about civil rights and citizenship in Malawi. This project was undertaken by Media for Development (previously known as Radio for Development) a British-based organisation that works to empower isolated communities through media. The project established radio listening clubs to ensure participation of the most marginalised in Malawi.
Contact bres@mediafordevelopment.org.uk OR Nick Ishmael-Perkins nishmael@rfd.org.uk
7. Civic Education and Action Programme (CEAP) - Africa
This project was implemented by the Network of African Youths Against Corruption (NAYACA) across Africa in 2002. The aim of the project was to spread civic information to both consumers and providers of a government service through posters and fliers which were developed after research with the target groups.
Contact africainfo@worldbank.org OR info@nayacafrica.org
8. Striving for Good Governance in Africa
Synopsis of the 2005 African Governance Report Prepared for the African Development Forum IV United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
This report is a synopsis of a continent-wide study to measure and monitor "Progress towards Good Governance in Africa," undertaken by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The project identifies four positive trends on the road to creating capable states in Africa: democratic transitions, political inclusiveness, voice and accountability and economic management. While the study shows considerable progress on many fronts, it also highlights many deficits. On the basis of the research findings, the report identifies 10 priority areas for action in building capable and accountable states. These areas include tapping the potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and fostering credible and responsible media.
9. ICTs in Support of Human Rights, Democracy and Good Governance
By Audrey N. Selian
August 2002
This paper aims to analyse the role ICTs - such as radio, e-mail, internet, and CD-ROMS - can play in protecting human rights and fostering good governance. The paper specifically aims to explore the way in which new communication technologies are able to help realise some of the goals of the 2000 Millennium Declaration which affirmed common global commitments to the protection of the vulnerable, the alleviation of poverty, and the rectification of corrupt structures and processes.
10. Advancing Rural Women's Empowerment
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the service of Good Governance, Democratic Practice and Development for Rural Women in Africa
A Women's Net Resource Paper
February 2004
The purpose of this paper is to explore how ICTs have been incorporated into the pursuit of rural women's empowerment in Africa, specifically in terms of their access to human rights and good governance. The paper provides an overview of the political, womens empowerment and human rights framework that shapes development and good governance goals for African countries and then focuses on how ICTs are being used to achieve these good governance and development imperatives that benefit rural women.
11. Brief Evaluation Report of the Puppets for Good Governance (PGG) Project
A Community Democracy and Governance Project of FPPS/CHAPS
Phylmon Odhiambo
2004
This document outlines the strategy used by the Puppets for Good Governance (PGG) Project which is an expansion of the Puppets against Corruption (PAC) Project. The goal and overall purpose of the programme was to use puppetry to increase community awareness on what constitutes good governance. The Family Planning Private Sector (FPPS) and Community Health Awareness Puppeteers (CHAPS), who implemented the project, initially limited its operation to selected urban and rural communities. The reason for adopting this approach was based on the strategic need to concentrate on areas where an effective, well-monitored and integrated impact could be achieved.
12. The Power of Information: Evidence From a Newspaper Campaign to Reduce Capture
Ritva Reinikka and Jakob Svensson
December 2003
This document examines an information campaign in Uganda aimed at reducing the capture of public funds by government officials by providing schools (parents) with information to monitor local officials' handling of a large school-grant programme. In the mid-1990s, a public expenditure tracking survey (PETS) revealed that for every dollar spent by the central government, the schools received only 20 cents on average. The study shows that public access to information is a deterrent to the capture of funds at local level and that citizens can become empowered to demand certain standards and monitor and challenge abuses by officials.
13. Provincial Government of the Western Cape: Cape Gateway Project Evaluation
The Cape Gateway project is the first step in the staged introduction of e-government in the Western Cape, South Africa. This evaluation undertaken by Bridges.org aims to gauge the effectiveness of the project to provide information to citizens, business and government customers with Cape Gateway as a single point of access via an internet portal, a walk-in centre and a contact (call) centre. According to the evaluation the project has been successful in that it accomplished its goals to provide the citizens of the Western Cape with better access to accurate, up to date information about government. The government has also gained the benefit of experience, which has been documented through this report.
14. Governance and Anti-Corruption Course Module
World Bank Institute and NAYAC-Zambia
by Andrew Ntewewe
This Course Module was developed as part of the Network of African Youths Against Corruption (NAYAC)'s Youth For Good Governance Course. The course material is intended for young people - potential activists who are committed to building a better world in which governance, respect for human rights and improved service delivery contribute to the development of Zambia and the rest of the world. The content of the course modules aims to give youth the ability to participate in governance and development issues by giving them an understanding of the causes and consequences of corruption and the institutions that fight corruption.
15. Resisting Repression: Legislative and Political Obstacles to Civic Space in Southern and Eastern Africa
by Barney Afako
This study focuses on the legislative frameworks and country practices relating to freedom of association, expression and assembly in four African countries: Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa. The report aims to highlight some of the main legislation impinging on civil society activities and examines the wider, especially, political context in which the laws have been made or are applied.
16. Promoting Development Through Transparency and Access to Information - CD-ROM
This CD-ROM resource pack, published by Open Society Initiative Southern Africa (OSISA), includes a collection of documents related to the issue of resource abuse and war economies in Southern Africa, with emphasis on the extractive industry.
17. Moving Forward on Media Freedom" Commonwealth Broadcasting Association Regional Conference for Africa (Feb 18-21 2007) Nairobi, Kenya
The Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA) invites all its African member organisations to nominate delegates for its African Regional Conference. Topics to be covered include Media Freedom and Democratisation, The Way Forward for Media Freedom: Tackling Corruption, and Using the media to encourage Transparency and Disclosure: Success Stories.
18. Good Governance General Course (Good Governance Programme) (Jul 03-13 2007) Pretoria, South Africa
This course, being offered by the Centre for Human Rights' (University of Pretoria) Good Governance Programme, places emphasis on the linkage between human rights, public administration and effective and responsible service delivery. It aims to advance good governance and foster informed and supportive links between people in management positions within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
19. Human Rights In Africa (Good Governance Programme) (May 21-25 2007) Pretoria, South Africa
This course, being offered by the Centre for Human Rights' (University of Pretoria) Good Governance Programme, aims to emphasise the importance of regional human rights norms and its application in Africa. The programme aims to generate informed debate and hone advocacy and research skills in order to enhance the promotion of human rights at all levels. The workshop will look at the nexus between human rights and good governance as well as at the United Nations system and organs responsible for the enforcement of human rights norms and their role in Africa.
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The Soul Beat seeks to cover the full range of communication for development activities. Inclusion of an item does not imply endorsement or support by The Partners.
Please send material for The Soul Beat to the Editor - Anja Venth aventh@comminit.com
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