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Accountability of Parliament : Related News Stories |
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| Partners | News | Success Stories | Links | Updated: 8/28/2006 |
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 ADVOCACY SKILLS SHARPENED IN OMAHEKE - 2006/08/29
For democracy to become more deeply rooted, it is imperative that citizens and communities have the opportunity to effectively voice their concerns by engaging in peaceful dialogue with their elected leadership. In pursuit of this aim, the USAID-funded Namibia Institute for Democracy recently presented an advocacy skills training of trainers workshop for representatives of civil society organizations in the Omaheke region. The objective of the workshop, that was facilitated by the Legal Assistance Centre, in collaboration with the Omaheke Development Trust, was to equip community members with lobbying and presentation skills that will enable them to more successfully dialogue with the authorities and to convey problems encountered by their communities. The workshop was part of the overall democracy and governance program aimed at strengthening the interaction between civil society and government institutions at all levels.
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Specific topics covered included: what is advocacy; how to mobilize community members and the importance of organizing; advocacy techniques; how to plan and implement an advocacy campaign; and, most importantly, how to facilitate the teaching of the approach and the use of the materials to others. The workshop was experience-based and interactive; affording the participants the opportunity to apply what was learned over the two days to real issues and problems that exist in their respective communities. The success of the training was reflected in the feedback received from one of the participants, Mr. Brian Prince from the National Youth Council: "After the Advocacy workshop, I decided to incorporate Advocacy training into the HIV/Gender training seminars that I facilitate for my organization."
Thirty representatives from across the Omaheke region, representing a wide variety of civic groups including the Ouunongo Technical Centre, the Total Child Youth Forum, the Namibia Paralegal Association, the National Society for Human Rights, the Regional Youth Forum, Youth Against Crime, the National Youth Council and the Catholic Community Members Against AIDS Action, participated in the workshop. It is expected that these organizations will now be able to take the lead in training community members in useful advocacy skills and empowering them to represent their issues to the relevant authorities with greater impact and success. Similar workshops are planned throughout Namibia. |
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 FIRST ZERO TOLERANCE FOR CORRUPTION WORKSHOP - 2006/06/21
Following the recent official launch of the Anti-Corruption Commission by H.E. President Hifikepunye Pohamba in Windhoek, the Namibian Institute for Democracy (NID) hosted the first Zero Tolerance for Corruption Workshop for key partners in government, the private sector and civil society.
The well-attended two day event, offered by South African experts included an introductory workshop for government watchdog bodies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), representatives from the private sector, churches and media institutions. The second day involved the training of trainers from a wide range of community based organizations and NGOs.
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Mr. Paulus Noa, the Director of Namibia`s Anti-Corruption Commission, offered the opening remarks and outlined the workshops objectives. Participants were equipped with basic knowledge about corruption in its different forms, as well as an understanding of the need for integrity and ethical behavior in public and private life. Workshop topics included crucial issues such as: defining corruption, examples of corruption, dimensions of the latter, levels of corruption, similar crimes, economic and social costs, prevention and the procedures for reporting of corruption. The NID aims to enable participants and equip trainers to conduct educational workshops on Anti-Corruption in their respective organizations and communities and plans to host three more such workshops in different regions across the country to this purpose.
The feedback from the seminar participants was extremely positive. Participants especially appreciated the interactive style in which the course was offered and look forward to follow-up training sessions. They suggested that this kind of workshop be offered to a greater number of organizations, ministries, parastatal organizations and corporations. One participant summarized what she had learned by stating: "We have benefitted a lot through this training; it has built our self-esteem and will help us speak out about things that are right and wrong". Members of the Women`s Action for Development group closed the Zero Tolerance for Corruption Workshop with a song expressing their hope for effective implementation of this initiative. |
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 LAUNCH OF ZERO TOLERANCE FOR CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN - 2006/05/24
Blowing a red whistle and brandishing a red card against graft, Namibia`s President Hifikepunye Pohamba officially launched the Zero Tolerance for Corruption Campaign on March 27, 2006. This is a civil society initiative co-funded by USAID and the Embassies of Sweden and Finland. In his address to the audience that included Ministers, Parliamentarians, and members of civil society and the private sector, the President welcomed this effort by Namibians, describing it as "testimony to the consensus that has taken root in our country that corruption must be fought by all members of society". |
Citing a case of fraud involving N$100 million that is yet to be resolved, the President said the money could have been used to provide drugs to HIV and AIDS sufferers, or for children who do not have schools, or for developing roads in communal areas.
The campaign aims at supporting public institutions, such as the recently-established Anti-Corruption Commission and the Ombudsman`s Office, through technical assistance and training on anti-corruption systems and strategies. At the same time, the public will be educated on the definition, costs and consequences of corruption and civic groups will be trained around recognizing and reporting on instances of corruption and malfeasance.
The President, as well as the Director of the Anti-Corruption Commission, expressed their gratitude to the donors for their generous and timely support to this initiative. On behalf of the US government, Ambassador Joyce Barr, expressed her government`s commitment to supporting the Namibian government in its efforts to promote transparency, accountability and integrity, stating that: "…because you are taking such a strong stand against corruption, Mr. President, civil society-led initiatives like the Zero Tolerance for Corruption Campaign have the political backing to be effective. The time has come and the climate is right to stop the corrosive effects of corruption on this promising country." |
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 TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS ENHANCE PARTNERSHIP IN SKILLS DEVELOPMENT - 2005/12/08
On October 9, 2005, Namibian Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Nahas Angula, launched five USAID-funded technical textbooks published by the Katutura Youth and Enterprise Centre (KAYEC) in Windhoek. The books are practical, easy to follow, and use appropriate and appealing illustrations. The books focus on the development of basic skills in metalwork, bricklaying and building, woodwork and joinery, domestic plumbing and offer an introduction to computers. In thanking the U.S. Government for its support, the Prime Minister said that these technical publications would go a long way to enhance the national capacityto develop skills in the country, especially for the youth. "Our people are the primary resource for growth and development. The cultivation of their skills, ingenuity and intellectual potential should be the first call of public private partnership".
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USAID/Namibia Director, Gary Newton, congratulated KAYEC and said that "...few things could be as important as the work you are doing:
· offering Namibia`s energetic youth the opportunity to learn, and practice, and profit from a trade;
· equipping youth, many of whom are out-of-school and out-of-work, with a practical education that will lead to meaningful and dignified employment;
· helping to align Namibia`s education system with the needs of the economy by producing certificate holders with skills that are in demand;
· helping to build and maintain the nation by strengthening the national workforce with skilled plumbers, woodworkers, metalworkers, bricklayers and computer technicians; and
· improving public and civic health by endowing craftsmen and women with leadership and life-skills and HIV/AIDS awareness."
USAID support to KAYEC since September 2002 amounts to US$300,000 for vocational training. A major focus of this assistance has been the expansion of vocational training to the northern region of Namibia and outreach efforts that target the rural community living in the vicinity of the KAYEC Centre in Ondangwa. |
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 LAUNCH OF NAMIBIA DEMOCRACY SUPPORT CENTRE - 2005/12/08
On November 22, 2005, the Namibia Democracy Support Centre (NDSC), a unique cooperative partnership between government and civil society was officially launched at the Namibian Parliament where the new body is to be housed. The NDSC is funded by USAID through a cooperative agreement with the Namibia Institute for Democracy, one of the founding partners. The membership-based, autonomous NDSC was founded on the premise that citizen participation in public policy debate and decision-making is an essential condition for strengthening democratic processes and building a democratic culture. Healthier dialogue between civil society and government institutions is an important means of encouraging changes in attitude, nurturing citizenship and facilitating democratic behavior within communities.
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The aim of the NDSC is to increase the frequency and improve the quality of the interaction between government institutions and civil society by enhancing the legislative outreach capacity of Parliament and the institutional competence of civil society. Processes and mechanisms designed to prompt the participation of civic organizations in the legislative process will link into regional government structures. Information dissemination will be maximized through the involvement of community media institutions and, in particular, the Constituency TV Channel.
In her congratulatory remarks, U.S. Ambassador, Joyce Barr, stated that the launch of the NDSC was an exciting milestone: "We applaud you for this impressive achievement especially in light of Namibia’s pre-independence history....the United States has been an enthusiastic development partner of the Namibian Parliament over many years through funding of $12.8 million in technical assistance and support to civil society".
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Theo-Ben Gurirab, in delivering the keynote address, said: "Government acknowledges the critical role of civil society in public debate and socio-economic development. Acceptance of government policies and legislation is greatest when the people themselves are able and eager to make inputs." |
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 ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR FOR AFRICA ATTENDS PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION - 2005/04/06
Lloyd Pierson, USAID Assistant Administrator for Africa, attended Namibia`s 15th Independence Day celebrations and the inauguration of Namibia`s second president, Hifikepunye Pohamba, on March 21, 2005. After fifteen years of rule, liberation hero and founding President Sam Nujoma handed over the symbols of office to the new Head of State. This historic political milestone, showered with much-welcomed rain, was attended by Presidents Obesanjo, Mbeki and Mugabe, among other African Heads of State. The peaceful and democratic manner in which the year-long transition took place demonstrates the strength of Namibia`s commitment to democratic values, due process and constitutionality.
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This was a return visit to Namibia for Mr. Pierson. In 1990, he worked with the nascent government to establish a Peace Corps program in Namibia. Mr. Pierson was gratified to witness at the inaugural ceremony, the man with whom he worked in 1990, Hon. Nahas Angula, sworn-in as Namibia`s next Prime Minister.
During his trip, Mr. Pierson also visited an anti-retroviral treatment program at Katutura Hospital funded by the President`s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through CDC; a Catholic AIDS Action program to support orphans and vulnerable children, funded by PEPFAR through USAID; the award-winning Torra Conservancy in Damaraland where he learned about the USAID-funded community-based natural resource management program; and, the National Institute for Educational Development (NIED) Teachers` Resource Centre in Okahandja where he discussed USAID assistance for basic education. |
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 DRAMATIC DECREASE IN STOCK THEFT - 2004/12/20
Stock theft and illegal hunting in certain regions in Namibia is depriving local farmers of their primary source of income. Due to understaffing and a lack of vehicles, the Namibian Police are not always able to assist in the prevention of stock theft, undermining the confidence of communities in the legal system.
The Ditsa-I-Mu Stock-theft prevention organization (DIM), a community based organization, was given technical assistance and a grant by USAID through the Namibia Institute for Democracy (NID). DIM assists the police by providing equipment and advocating harsher sentences for convicted criminals. Para-legal advice is also offered to communal farmers to prevent them from taking the law into their own hands when dealing with poachers.
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DIM appointed 14 fieldworkers in six communities in the Kunene region. They facilitate activities at the grassroots level and, together with the police, conducted an awareness campaign among communal farmers and traditional leaders to document problems and grievances with respect to stock theft. Through its fieldworkers, DIM established close contact with these communities and through a consultative process compiled a document containing proposals to combat stock theft and illegal hunting in the region. A public march was organized to hand over a petition requesting that more attention be paid to the issue of stock theft and illegal hunting, and was submitted to the Kunene Regional Council and the Khorixas Police Station Commander.
In 2004, DIM`s activities helped reduce the number of reported stock theft cases by 62% compared to the same period in 2003. The group helped to increase public awareness of and response to crime through regular meetings between DIM fieldworkers, the communities and the police to follow-up on reports of stock theft and through citizens` arrests of poachers. New systems such as requiring permits for themovement of livestock have been introduced to ensure that transactions between consumers and producers are legal. DIM proved that communities can greatly assist authorities by policing their property without violence and human rights abuse. |
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 ELECTIONS SUPPORT CONSORTIUM`S NATIONAL ESSAY COMPETITION - 2004/09/02
Aina, Golda, Magdalena, Bibi, Chaze and Lucia seem like ordinary teenagers, but having just been announced as members of the Elections Support Consortium’s (ESC) national essay competition for school children`s Top Ten, they stand out in the 864-strong crowd of essay competition entrants.
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They all concur that they took part in the competition because they "had something to say"and were provided the opportunity to do so by the essay competition. Golda and Lucia were further spurred on by their status as eligible voters and recognition of the importance of their vote and participation in a democracy. Both decided to enter the competition in the hope of helping to create further awareness of the importance of citizen participation. Exasperated by her friends` and families` lack of interest in democracy and its processes, Lucia states that "often people think that their voices will not make a difference and will probably not be heard. This is a totally wrong attitude to have towards democracy. After all, it is through democracy that one can determine their future and probably that of their children as well."
The importance of citizen participation in a democracy is captured by Golda whose essay recognized that "Namibia`s future does not lie in the hands of the government but in the hands of the citizens of country."Magdalena similarly emphasized the importance of citizen participation. She cited the proverb "`Practice makes perfect`; certainly perfection within democracy can only be achieved with the active help of the Namibian society."Means for participation identified by the winners include voting, monitoring corruption, holding government accountable, forming groups, creating awareness and promoting education, attending meetings, lobbying representatives and advocating for change.
Working on their essays and reading the ESC`s series of ten newspaper advertorials, Golda and Lucia translated their words to action and took an active role in the democratic process; both were instrumental in encouraging their friends and family to register as voters during the 2nd General Voters Registration and voting in the Windhoek West local authority election. They are living testament of the importance and impact of civic and voter education and its the central message that one person can help make a change. |
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 DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT EXPO 2004 - 2004/03/01
The Namibian Parliament, with support from USAID-funded organizations, the National Institute for Democracy (NDI) and the Namibia Institute for Democracy (NID), hosted its first `Democracy and Development Expo` to help mark the opening of the ninth and final session of the third Parliament. Over 40 organizations, including NGOs, civil society organizations and private sector groups, set up booths at the two day event in order to showcase their work to the public; and interact, share ideas, network and learn from each other. It is estimated that ca 2000 people visited the Expo.
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The Expo concluded with an entertaining program that included poetry; a short, satirical political drama; awards and speeches. In thanking participants, Foster Mijiga, Country Director of NDI, stated, "It is important for elected leaders to meet the various individuals and organizations that are contributing towards democracy and development in this country. It is equally important to find out the various resources that are available....[those] resources that the elected leaders can and should use when developing and implementing legislation and public policies."
The Expo was hailed as a success and cited by those who attended for opening a new chapter in parliamentary tradition in the SADC region and setting an example of practical democracy at work.
Namibia`s Third Parliament was elected in 1999 and has since passed over 90 acts. Among the more recently passed acts are the `Combating of Domestic Violence` Act and the `Anti-Corruption` Act. Elections for the Fourth Parliament, as well as for President of Namibia, are scheduled for late 2004. |
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 COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN DEVELOPMENT - 2003/12/15
The Southern Sun Media Trust is an organization that conducts activities to facilitate the flow of information between diverse stakeholders in the Southern Regions of Namibia. One such activity is the appointment of representatives to hear grievances people have in the respective communities. Based on the work of one such liaison person, the Trust was able to make a submission to the Hardap Regional Council on alleged corruption in the Council`s affairs, relating to a fraudulent credit transfer and the unauthorized issuing of a check. The Hardap Regional Governor, consequently, ordered an investigation into the matter, leading to the arrest of six persons who are currently on trial.
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The Trust has also collaborated with the Namibia Development Trust and the Legal Assistance Centre, two more experienced NGOs, to provide support to a local group, the Bondelswarts, in their efforts to reclaim the historic Warmbad hot springs and develop the springs as a tourist attraction. As a result of assistance provided to the Bondelswarts, the Government bought the land from the owner and subsequently allocated an amount equivalent to $250,000 to develop the area.
Another effort of the Trust is the successful "Southern Sun"newspaper, which aims to objectively and impartially report on topics of interest to `people of the south.` The paper closed its activities for the year with a highlight: the group was awarded the "Best Community Media"prize by the Media Institute of Southern Africa, receiving public acknowledgement and praise for its efforts to provide a strong platform for previously voiceless communities.
The Trust is one of the many groups throughout Namibia receiving capacity strengthening support from the Namibia Institute for Democracy under the USAID-funded Civil Society Development Program. |
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 MEDIA TAKES A SEAT IN THE NAMIBIAN PARLIAMENT - 2003/11/07
Recently, the Namibian Parliament made a giant leap toward embracing media freedom in Namibia, when it allocated recording facilities and office space within the heart of its buildings to a collaborative project led by the Namibia Community Radio Network and the Namibia Media Women Association. Under this NDI-supported effort, the first Parliament-based radio and TV production studio has been established, known as the Constituency Channel (CC). Through radio and television programs, the CC aims to reinforce and expand existing linkages between the Parliament and the Namibian citizenry, including the Parliamentary interactive website.
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Commenting on the initiative, Hon. Nico Kaiyamo, Member of Parliament and Councillor for the Tsumeb constituency said, "The Constituency Channel is a good initiative. Increased efforts to provide access and enhance public participation will stimulate increased demand and expectations. While all the demands may never be satisfied, elected leaders have the obligation and should be kept on their toes to respond and account to the electorate."
The CC will build on the communication foundations laid by the Parliament Constituency Outreach Program. It will provide media coverage on legislative issues, but more importantly, facilitate discussion and interaction between the legislature and communities through a network of media institutions located across the country. Using both print and electronic media, the CC will solicit views and input from the public and will seek to ensure appropriate responses from elected leaders.
Already, the CC has successfully developed 6 radio and 2 television programs and facilitated 8 public discussion forums, using video conferencing facilities located in Parliament and Regional Offices throughout the country. To date, the Prime Minister of Namibia, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Members of Parliament, Governors, Councillors, students and civil society groups have participated in the public forums, focusing on various legislative and policy issues.
"There is no doubt about it. As regards participation, Namibia is out in front. The Parliament... is making efforts to achieve increased openness, transparency and accountability,"said the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Mosé Tjitendero. |
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 CSDP RECEIVES ENDORSEMENT FROM THE HIGHEST QUARTER - 2003/09/29
"Civil society organizations are playing a vital role in cooperating with Government in dealing with social issues and development."With these comments, the Prime Minister of Namibia, Theo-Ben Gurirab, officially opened a symposium in Swakopmund recently which brought together 33 civic groups from throughout Namibia that receive technical assistance, training and small grants through the Civil Society Development Program.
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He highlighted the importance of the partnership between civil society and Government in promoting democracy and ensuring respect for human rights and the rule of law. He stated that democracy is strengthened when citizens regularly interact with their elected leaders to exchange ideas, assume responsibility, become organized and add their voices to the market place of political debate. He called upon civil groups to make use of all available mechanisms for interaction with government, of which the Parliamentary Community Outreach initiative and the "open door"policy of the office of the Prime Minister are good examples. He congratulated participants on the substantive and meaningful contributions they are making towards the process of democratic transformation and economic development taking place in Namibia.
In his speech, U.S. Ambassador Kevin McGuire, reiterated sentiments expressed by the Prime Minister. He congratulated the groups present for successes that have been achieved, commending the considerable strengthening of existing linkages between citizens and their representatives at all levels, and the new connections within communities which have been established. He stated that CSDP-funded civic groups have come to be regarded as credible and competent bodies that may be entrusted with the task of representing local concerns and key interests.
Symposium participants spent the rest of the week sharing their successes and discussing problems, as well as how they could become involved in a range of planned national programs around constituency outreach, integrity and civic education. |
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 FIGHTING CORRUPTION AT THE LOCAL LEVEL - 2003/08/18
An educational booklet to inform Namibian citizens about issues relating to corruption was recently launched during a workshop on integrity systems at local government level in Otjiwarongo. The publication, entitled The Namibian Resident`s Guide to Integrity in Local Government, explains what integrity means; what corruption is and what social and economic consequences it has; identifies what the responsibilities of Local Authorities are; provides examples of corruption at local authority level; reviews the options available to citizens to fight corruption in Local Authorities; and provides the relevant details for watchdog agencies that can be contacted by concerned residents.
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The booklet, which was published by the Namibia Institute for Democracy (NID) and the Namibia Association for Local Authority Officers (NALAO) with financial support from Management Systems International (MSI), forms part of a USAID-funded program to strengthen integrity systems in Local Authorities in Namibia.
The one-week workshop brought together Officers and Councillors of various Local Authorities to discuss internal procedures that might be prone to corrupt practices and to address previously identified areas of risk that include human resource policies, procurement procedures and land allocation. Policies addressing these vulnerabilities have been drafted by participating municipalities with the intent of strengthening integrity systems in these key areas. In opening the workshop, the Mayor of Otjiwarongo, Cllr. Otto Ipinge, reminded the participants that all forms of corruption need to be contained. He stressed that Namibian Local Authorities could not afford the consequences of these dishonest practices, such as the inefficiency that accompanies corruption, and the impact on economic and social development, and the quality and price of goods and services. He stated that many of the instances of corruption currently prevalent in Namibia are due to poorly defined administrative rules and regulations and the wide discretionary powers wielded by some public servants. Corruption results from lack of accountability, as a result of poorly defined ethical standards for the public service and weak administrative and financial systems. The Mayor called for a broad-based strategy to systematically combat corruption on many fronts and on all levels. Such an approach meant active citizens working together with their local authorities and building effective watchdog agencies. |
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 SHARING CONSTITUENCY OUTREACH PROGRAM SUCCESSES — THE MODEL - 2003/05/15
Recently, and after months of information exchange, a three-person delegation flew into Namibia from the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature in South Africa in order to see the Mobile Training Unit that was conceived and brought to life by the Namibian Parliament and NDI. Funded by USAID/EDDI and outfitted by several private sector companies, the MTU travels throughout Namibia to introduce citizens to the Parliament`s interactive website and to encourage their input into the legislative process.
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The visitors comprised a representative from the Legislature; the Managing Director of Comparex, a large IT company operating in the Southern Africa region; and Buscor, a South African Corporation that manufactures buses.
According to the delegation, the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature has been looking for a mechanism to take the institution to the people since independence in 1994. Research conducted had not produced any practical examples of a mobile facility that might fulfill their needs. When they came upon the USAID/Namibia website in October 2002, they found a story about the Namibia MTU and the Parliamentary Constituency Outreach Program, and made contact with Namibian legislators.
Although they had received information and images about the MTU, the Legislature unanimously agreed that this innovative training resource was well worth a visit. As a result, a delegation was dispatched to view the MTU first-hand. They discussed the experiences the Namibian Parliament had with the MTU and were convinced it would be useful in the South African context. Buscor will build the bus, Comparex has been awarded a contract to install computers, and the Legislature will use the MTU for training and outreach activities in the Mpumalanga Province. |
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 ELECTORAL SUPPORT PROGRAM FOCUSES ON GENDER AND DISABILITY - 2003/04/09
With Presidential and Parliamentary elections scheduled to take place in late 2004, and Sam Nujoma, the only President Namibia has ever known, announcing his intention to step aside in accordance with provisions of the Namibian constitution, Namibia is rapidly approaching its most important political transition since independence. In order to help prepare citizens for the 2004 elections, a consortium, led by the Electoral Commission of Namibia and including the local NGOs, the Namibia Institute for Democracy and the Legal Assistance Centre, and three international partners, i.e., the Governments of the United States, Sweden and the Netherlands, has been formed.
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The consortium will implement a comprehensive three-year civic and voter education and voter registration program. It will target Namibians from all walks of life but particular attention will be accorded to groups that could be regarded as marginalized in society, including illiterate and semi-literate voters, first-time voters, female voters and disadvantaged ethnic groups, such as the San.
As part of its effort to better understand certain segments of its target population, the consortium recently held a workshop in Windhoek to discuss, with a wide spectrum of gender and disability experts, issues related to gender mainstreaming and disability sensitization. Among the interesting presentations made was one on "Gender and Political Participation,"by Christiaan Keulder of Namibia`s Institute for Public Policy Research. According to Keulder`s research, political participation is, on average, higher in rural areas than in urban areas and civic participation shows a similar trend. While there was no overall gender gap with regard to political participation, there is a statistically significant gender gap with regard to civic participation, with more women active than men. This latter finding refutes conventional wisdom in Namibia that men are more active and participate more than women.
A successful gender mainstreaming campaign should not only address relevant gender gaps, but also be culturally and locally specific, and use local groups for message dissemination. Similarly, the design of disability-sensitive materials should address the needs of people living with disabilities. Approaches discussed at the workshop included making extensive use of the radio medium in all language services, supplementing audio visual materials with sign language, and showing people living with disabilities in campaign materials. Workshop participants agreed that, because Namibia`s democracy is a young one, and many of the country`s people are still learning what their rights and responsibilities in a democracy are, civic and voter education campaigns must link democratic concepts to daily life. By doing so, the campaigns will not only help voters reach more informed decisions at the polls but also help deepen democratic development and civic participation in Namibia over the longer term. |
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 INTEGRITY SYSTEMS LAUNCHED - 2003/04/09
According to Transparency International`s annual `Corruption Perceptions Index,` Namibia ranks among the developing world`s least corrupt countries. But Namibians are not content to rest on their laurels. Many Namibians in the government and in the NGO community are working hard to improve the country`s already strong record. A program recently launched to support on-going efforts is the National Integrity Promotion Program. Spearheaded by the Office of the Ombudsman, the stated goal of the NIPP is "to prevent and minimize corruption through the raising of public awareness of the causes, effects and costs of corruption on development, human rights and service delivery and, through the building of a coalition of public and private actors, to promote and strengthen integrity systems at all levels in Namibian society."
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Joining the OO`s in founding the coalition are the Namibia Association of Local Authority Officers, the Namibian Chapter of Transparency International and the Namibia Institute for Democracy. Together, the coalition will conduct a national integrity and service delivery survey, support a multi-media public awareness campaign, sponsor a series of national risk assessment and integrity systems workshops, and assist complementary efforts at the grassroots level.
During the launch of NIPP, Ombudswoman Bience Gawanas asked why fighting corruption should be high on the country`s agenda. "For me,"she said, "the answer is that, 13 years into our independence, we are starting to move towards adulthood as a nation. We are starting to decide our own values and how we want to live. Through actions and institutions, we are seeking to build the habits that will be the foundations of the society and the country our children will inherit. We are determining what sort of people we want to be…."Later in her remarks, she underscored the economic reasons for fighting corruption, saying that, "When we talk about fighting corruption, about promoting integrity, about human rights, we do so because we believe that the maximum resources available must be targeted to improving the quality of life of the poor…"
The coalition has chosen as its logo, the Namibian fish eagle set against the sun of the national flag, surrounded by their slogan, "Serving Namibia through Honesty, Integrity and Pride." |
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 SMART PARTNERSHIP TAKING ROOT IN NAMIBIA - 2002/12/13
In a country as vast as Namibia where it`s difficult for citizens to access their public officials, information and communication technology applications make a lot of sense. Seizing upon the opportunity offered by ICT advances, the Namibian Parliament, with assistance from the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), designed a website which enables citizens and civil society to track legislation, communicate with Parliamentarians, and engage in `chat room` dialogues on topics of current interest.
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The Parliament`s engagement with ICT has since snowballed rapidly. To promote the website throughout country and to strengthen the linkages between the Parliament and local government, the Parliament and the Ministry of Local and Regional Government and Housing outfitted a bus with computers and other related technology to travel around the country. Known as the Mobile Training Unit (MTU), the bus received donations from Microsoft; Compaq; a local company, the IT Department; and the Education for Development and Democracy Initiative. It traveled to every region of the country last year and reached thousands of government officials, average citizens and students, all interested in learning more about ICT access and democracy in Namibia. Microsoft was so impressed with the success of the MTU that early this December, it donated another ten computers and software, for distribution in five towns around the country. In the highway equivalent of a whistle-stop tour, the Speaker of the Parliament, the Honorable Mosé Tjitendero, traveled to the five towns to deliver the computers and to exchange views with citizens on pending legislation and the development of Namibian democracy. The U.S. Ambassador, Kevin McGuire, joined the Speaker on one leg of the trip and applauded the smart, public-private partnership that was evolving and the contributions the partnership is making to enhancing public participation in Namibia`s legislative process. Ambassador McGuire took advantage of the event`s lead story status on the national news to talk about the growing partnership between the U.S. and Namibia in promoting trade, addressing issues related to HIV/AIDS, and other areas of cooperation.
Microsoft is now talking about making a much bigger donation of ICT equipment through the Parliament; and the Parliament, NDI and USAID are exploring ways to maximize the impact the anticipated equipment donation might have on Namibia`s economic and political development. |
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 REGIONAL GOVERNOR COMMENDS CSDP PROGRAM - 2002/12/13
At a recent Civil Society Development Program (CSDP) institutional capacity strengthening workshop held in Gobabis, the Governor of the Omaheke Region, Laura McLeod, commended USAID`s CSDP program run by the Namibia Institute for Democracy (NID). In her address to the participants, she said that the program facilitates the creation of innovative partnerships with diverse groups, helping them fight hunger, poverty and social injustice. She noted that advocacy, a key component in the program, was important if democratic rights were to be institutionalized and citizen influence on public policy and contributions towards legislation ensured. She also stressed that the electorate had a duty to hold their leaders accountable to their constituents, and said that only when the electorate held their leaders to their promises, would democracy have real value.
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During the occasion, three community projects received grants: The Vilile Childrens Trust, an organization that advocates for the rights of street children; the Ongendo Development Trust, that will assist community members to advocate around small and medium enterprise development; and the Nambian Network of AIDS Service Organizations, which will target public leaders, policy makers, traditional and church leaders to promote change in people’s attitudes and behavior as a way of fighting the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
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WOMEN`S INHERITANCE AND PROPERTY RIGHTS - 2002/07/30
With funding, awarded last year under EGAT/WID`s NGO Small Grants Program around the issue of Women`s Inheritance and Property Rights in three African countries, the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC), Namibia Development Trust (NDT), and the University of Namibia (UNAM), have recently concluded important gender-relevant activities that included research on traditional customs and practices, raising awareness on rights and contributing towards policy changes and law reform initiatives. The various projects addressed multiple elements of the legal and social contexts that determine women`s property ownership and inheritance and have identified specific actors and agents of change (e.g., judges, legislators, community institutions, civil society advocates). Understanding on the broader concepts and institutions that shape inheritance practices (e.g., rule of law and institutional structures, public attitudes and practices including custom, awareness of human rights) and the ways in which these elements must be integrated to bridge the gap between policy and practice so that women`s rights are protected, has been deepened through the research conducted by the local organizations.
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The LAC performed legal research and analysis of current legislation with the aim of framing new legislation, an activity that relates to the highest levels of policy change. The NDT`s project was focused on awareness raising and skills building to challenge gender-biased property and inheritance practices at grass roots level. The team at UNAM conducted an extensive survey research project that sought to establish current attitudes and practices that determine women’s ability to own and inherit property, knowledge that will be used to inform future policymaking and contribute to the reform of current inheritance law.
All three projects, in unique ways, have contributed to the public examination and debate of current policy governing women`s property ownership and inheritance. Through their ongoing efforts to collaborate with each other and with other organizations addressing women’s rights, community development, and legislative reform, they continue to contribute to growing attention to these issues at the national level and providing critical information built upon local-level research and careful legal analysis. They are also promoting the empowerment of women and communities through efforts to increase awareness about women`s rights and to demonstrate the value of observing and protecting those rights when property and inheritance concerns arise. Especially through the auspices of LAC with its track record of successful law reform initiatives in the past, these projects have ready access to relevant policymakers and the means to influence future policy concerning inheritance rights.
All participating NGO grantees are set to meet in Nairobi in June, together with EGAT/WID resource persons and technical experts, in order to share findings, discuss possible follow-on activities and seek means of future collaboration around key issues. |
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 NID CIVIL SOCIETY CO-OPERATIVE AGREEMENTS SIGNED - 2002/05/13
The Namibia Institute for Democracy (NID) announced co-operative agreements signed under its USAID-funded Civil Society Development Program (CSDP) at a function to mark the completion of the first year of the program in Windhoek on 27th March 2002. In his address, US Ambassador Kevin McGuire referred to the importance of active citizen involvement in the democratic processes that govern a democratic state, congratulating all involved in promoting this important right of civic participation through the CSDP.
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Four established NGOs -- the Legal Assistance Centre, the National Society for Human Rights, the Urban Trust of Namibia and the Namibia Development Trust -- all of which receive funding from NID, referred to the successful integration of the following CSDP-funded advocacy activities into their existing programs:
· Addressing issues around the passing of the Combating of Domestic Violence Act;
· Advocating Tolerance, Participatory Democracy and the need for reducing polarization around differences;
· Building stronger links between government at local and regional level and civil society and promoting decentralization;
· Recommending changes to the draft Communal Land Bill with regard to the use of land and water points;
· Advocating for more favorable conditions for community-based tourism initiatives;
· Working for the integration of HIV/AIDS awareness in all development activities.
Emerging NGOs also benefit from the program, receiving technical assistance, institutional capacity skills training and competitively awarded small grants offered by the NID. Amongst these organizations, Swakop Youth against Crime has achieved considerable success in promoting crime prevention initiatives to the Swakopmund Town Council. Its efforts have already resulted in strategies being implemented, which have virtually eradicated petty crime in the central business district. The local business community also renders its support to this organization, and endeavours are currently underway to replicate their crime-fighting model to other towns in Namibia.
As a result of the CSDP`s success, the Embassy of the Netherlands has recently provided additional funding to the program, with the purpose of deepening the effort and consolidating the results being achieved. |
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 STRENGTHENING INTEGRITY SYSTEMS AT LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL - 2002/04/04
Against the backdrop of debate around proposed Anti-Corruption legislation in the National Council, the Namibian Association of Local Authorities Officers (NALAO) recently held a two-day workshop on Integrity Systems at Local Government level. Municipal officials from all thirteen regions, as well as representatives from various civic organisations, the National Council and the private sector attended the event. The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing, Prof. Gerhard Tötemeyer, the Vice-President of NALAO, Ms Auguste Taanyanda, CEO of Ongwediva Municipality, as well as US Ambassador Kevin McGuire addressed the opening session, offering their thoughts and encouragement. |
Consultants from Management Systems International (MSI), together with a representative from the Ombudsman`s Office sketched the international context, provided the Namibian picture, facilitated discussion around concepts and terminology used in the sector and presented lessons learned. They led hands-on, participatory sessions that helped familiarize municipal officers with an integrity self-assessment tool kit and took them through the steps of using the results to formulate possible action plans to address the areas of vulnerability identified in the process.
In the upcoming weeks, the tool kit will be used in four designated local authorities (Ondangwa, Otjiwarongo, Katima Mulilo and Mariental), in follow-up workshops with larger groups of municipal staff, as well as civic organisations from those particular communities. This will provide an indication of the state of health of integrity systems across the board, identify region-specific weaknesses, as well as scope out common problems that will be presented to participants at a follow-up workshop for officers from all municipalities to be convened at the end of May. An action work plan to address priority areas through training, technical assistance and the provision of grants for specific region-based anti-corruption activities over the course of the following eighteen months will then be formulated.
NALAO`s USAID-supported efforts should contribute substantially towards strengthening the capacity of local government bodies to utilise available resources optimally and to render quality services to their customers in a more transparent, efficient and cost-effective manner. |
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 MOBILE TRAINING UNIT BRINGS PARLIAMENT TO ALL REGIONS OF NAMIBIA - 2002/04/04
With funding from the Namibian Ministry of Regional and Local Government and Housing and USAID, the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) is currently on the road for 13 weeks, taking a bus with 11 computers to the country`s 13 regions for one week each. The bus is equipped with a generator and projectors in order to ensure that participants in locations lacking adequate infrastructure and electricity can receive training. The training program commenced in the Karas region on February 23, 2002 and will conclude June 7 in the Otjozondjupa region.
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In each region, NDI staff are training members of regional and local governments and civil society organizations on how to use the Internet to access information on policy issues and legislation from Parliament and the Ministry of Regional and Local Government and Housing web sites. Each day, hour-long sessions are held from 8 am to 8 pm with 11 participants per class. Classes are arranged according to computer skill levels and participants attend two training sessions per day. Participants learn how to search for information on the Internet, design newsletters, send e-mails and use video conferencing. By the end of the week, even computer novices have gained the necessary skills to gain information about parliamentary activities and send e-mails to MPs and government officials about issues of concern.
During the training sessions, fundamental aspects of democratic governance are discussed, such as how a bill becomes law, the role of citizens in the legislative process, the responsibilities of elected officials to voters, the difference between the constitution and an amendment, the role of the media and the role of civic advocacy groups. The goal of the program is to increase the capacity of those in the regions to communicate with Parliament and the Ministry within the context of the government`s decentralization process.
In every region three hours are dedicated to schools through a civic education programme. Over 400 students so far have participated the training programs in the MTU in smaller groups of thirty. The program introduces the "honor" students to Parliament and the decision-making process and raises awareness that through ICT, those below the voting age can have their voice heard in the decision-making process. Apart from the educational benefits of such learning research skills, the training attempts to instill national pride and sense of responsibility.
Websites: Parliament Online; the Ministry of Regional and Local Government and Housing |
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 The Mobile Training Unit - 2001/11/12
In a large country like Namibia, where citizens often have neither the time nor the resources to travel to the capital, and where communications infrastructure ranks among the most sophisticated in Africa, the internet offers a tremendous opportunity for increasing citizen participation in political discourse. Recognizing this opportunity, the Namibian Parliament inaugurated an interactive website in May of 2001 [www.parliament.gov.na]. Two months later, the web site, which was built with assistance from the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) under a grant from USAID, grabbed first prize at an international E-Governance conference in Stockholm, Sweden.
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The challenge now is to ensure that Namibia’s citizens have knowledge of and access to the website. To help meet that challenge, EDDI provided the Parliament and NDI with funds for a mobile training unit (MTU). EDDI’s financial contribution was matched with in-kind contributions by the Namibian vendors of Compaq and Microsoft, and by two other Namibian companies, The Information Technology Department and Radiator Services.
The MTU, a bus outfitted with 11 computers, will travel to each of Namibia’s thirteen regions. It will demonstrate the Parliamentary website and a new website erected by the Ministry of Regional and Local Government and Housing [www.mrlgh.gov.na], to representatives of non-governmental organizations and to officials at the regional and local level. In the process, the MTU will promote the possibilities that modern communication technologies offer to deepening democracy and strengthening good governance. |
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 CIVIL SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM LAUNCHED - 2001/07/30
On June 21, 2001, the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Mosé Tjitendero, the U.S. Chargé d`Affaires, Thurmond Borden, and Theunis Keulder, Director of the Namibia Institute of Democracy (NID), presided over the launch of a co-operative agreement between NID and USAID for a Civil Society Development Program (CSDP) to be implemented over the next two years. The aim of the CSDP is to contribute to the strengthening of civil society and its linkages with the authorities in Namibia, by expanding the number of well-managed, financially viable Namibian civil society organizations able to conduct effective advocacy programs at national and local levels. This goal will be pursued through a combination of grants and training in advocacy skills and NGO management offered to national and local level civic groups led by historically disadvantaged Namibians. |
 To fulfill the overall objectives of this program, proposals for advocacy activities will be sought that demonstrate a strong commitment to extending and strengthening human rights, enhancing good governance, and empowering the disadvantaged by giving them more control over their lives. This last category will include advocacy activities to improve the business environment, facilitate reform in the education sector, and further the aims of the community-based natural resource management movement. Proposals that result in the forging of strong links to regional and local level government structures, as well as to parliamentary outreach programs and activities, or address issues being debated by Parliament, will receive special consideration. The NID believes that, due to the openness of the Namibian government, there are many opportunities for the citizenry to give input to public policy-making through systematic and peaceful interaction with the authorities and that there is particular need for supporting civic groups prepared to interact with government on policy issues and policy implementation. |
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 ELECTIONS IN OSHAKATI INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS - 2001/07/10
On Saturday June 16, elections were held in nine informal settlements at Oshakati (situated in the north of Namibia) to select members who would serve on community development committees. These representative bodies take decisions with regard to land tenure, allocation of plots, water points, medical services, etc. Candidates present themselves for election, based on the support of at least 20 fellow members of the community. Each household chooses only one of its members to vote for the candidate of its choice. Voter turnout was more than 90%. |
| Observers representing organizations such as the Namibian Society for Human Rights (NSHR), Urban Trust, the Town Councils of Rundu, Otjiwarongo, Oshakati, IBIS (Danish Aid Organization), and Stiaan Titus from the Program/Democracy & Governance office of USAID participated as monitors. Checklists were developed to document possible incidents of intimidation and misconduct. As a result, elections in two of the informal settlements were cancelled due to discrepancies between ballot papers and the candidates’ lists. Re-election in these areas was held on Saturday June 23, 2001. The numbers of spoiled ballots was relatively low, which indicates that voter education programs in the region had been successful. Interestingly, it seemed that women in the settlements were more aware of the elections and also that there was an equal number of females and males casting their ballots. |
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 LAUNCH OF PARLIAMENT ONLINE - 2001/06/18
www.parliament.gov.na
As of 3:00 p.m., May 31, 2001, the people of Namibia can go on-line to learn about their Parliament, view pending legislation, the minutes of meetings, budget proposals, and read and access a wide variety of documents. Importantly, they can also use the system to make their voices heard. Easy access is provided for e-mail communications to the Parliament on current issues and `chat rooms`, where Parliament and civil society can interact, have been set up. |
 Namibia has an information and communications infrastructure unsurpassed by almost any nation in Africa, giving Parliament-Online enormous potential to bring the Parliament closer to the people. Information can be obtained and comments given anytime and from any location. This is particularly important in view of Namibia`s geographic size and scattered population. In providing for greater information flows and dialogue across the political spectrum, this new service helps solidify Namibia`s young democracy. Through Parliament-Online, government can become more transparent to its people and, as important, the needs of the people will become more evident to the Government, facilitating mutual understanding and peaceful adjustments within legally proscribed channels. In other words, Parliament-Online contributes to the vibrancy and stability of democracy in Namibia. USAID congratulates the Namibian Parliament and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs on the launch of this exciting new tool and looks forward to working together in the future to assure that civil society and average Namibian citizens have the access necessary for the website to achieve its potential. |
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THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE (NDI) APPOINTS NEW REGIONAL DIRECTOR - 2001/05/23
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| Shari Bryan steps into Patricia Keefer`s shoes as NDI`s Regional Director for Southern Africa. Welcome to the Region, Shari, and good luck, Patricia! |
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 A STRONG CIVIL SOCIETY - 2001/04/02
USAID/Namibia has entered into a new US $ 717,000 cooperative agreement and partnership with a prominent Namibian NGO, the Namibian Institute of Democracy (NID) for the purpose of strengthening emerging civil society organizations and their public policy advocacy skills and capabilities. NID will provide training, technical assistance, and subgrant support to Namibian advocacy organizations. This is an important complementary component of Namibia`s Strategic Objective 4, directed at assisting the Namibian Parliament with its development efforts and its accountability to all Namibian citizens. |
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