September 15, 2014 marked the 7th International Day of Democracy. This years’ theme, Engaging Young People on Democracy, focuses on the challenges and opportunities young people face in engaging in democratic processes. The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, called young people to contribute to building stronger democratic societies. He stated “I call on members of the largest generation of youth…
During the US-Africa Leaders Summit early last month, hosted by President Barack Obama in Washington, DC, the National Democratic Institute invited Mariam Dao Gabala, distinguished advocate of women’s political participation and financial inclusion, from Cote d’Ivoire to lead a discussion focused on Women, Peace, and Democracy in Cote d’Ivoire. Gabala is the president of Coalition des Femmes Leaders de…
Internal displacement often implies that people are left without a home, work and income, and the opportunity to an education. Since 2000, due to various government policies and actions, many Zimbabweans have been facing that situation. Although some progress was made by the government by acknowledging the problem of internal displacement, many displaced Zimbabweans are still…
How do we assess the public sector with regard to decentralization, intergovernmental relations, and the role of the local public sector? To answer the question, the paper from the Urban Institute Centre on International Development and Governance (IDG) (2010) proposes a comparative decentralization assessment for rapidly assessing a country’s local public sector, including its political-administrative…
Asian Development Bank ‘s “Asian Development Outlook 2013 Update” published in October 2013 highlights the need of government reform to sustain development momentum in Asia and the Pacific. Strengthening governance is a key among reform priorities and the report identifies public service delivery as an entry point for the reform. The annual Asian Development Outlook,…
As Kenyans vote for a new president and county councils, they will also be voting for an increased number of female candidates. Prior to Kenya’s upcoming elections, Micah Cheserem, chairman of the Kenyan Commission on Revenue Allocation, urged his fellow citizens to elect women as their county ward representatives. Cheserem’s remarks followed a heated debate as to how the…
Abstract: Decentralization and local development have opened spaces that women are occupying increasingly. In this process, women are empowered socially, economically and politically and contribute to transform these new spaces in vital ways. Author(s): Swartz, Sara Source(s): , Universitas forum : journal on human development and international cooperation; Vol. 3, No. 1 1 file, ill…
Abstract: Since its initiation in 1993, the DDP has been a non-partisan non-profit organisation, supporting capacity building on governance and civil society levels to ensure that both are empowered for meaningful participation in South Africa’s social transformation. Author(s): Source(s): , Published: 2012 Democracy development programme (DDP), Durban (English ISBN/ISSN: / Link: http://www.ddp.org.za/
Abstract: The challenges of bringing informal, customary land arrangements into a universal formalized land administration are examined. One of the questions is whether certificates of customary rights of occupancy (CCROs) in Tanzania improve the perceived or real security of tenure for rural peoples? Author(s): Fairley, Elizabeth Source(s): , 27 p., ill., maps, tabs Published: 2012…
Abstract: This article argues that the process of legal empowerment still need to be more inclusive for the poor and discusses ways to reinforce this process without denying the reality of customary land practices. Recent land reform efforts are aimed at the decentralization of land management. Author(s): Burnod, Perrine Source(s): , 35 p., ill., graphs,…
