Regional and Local Government Development Committee
Presentation of achievements concerning the Project "Interaction between civil society and regional and local governments in Namibia" and launch of the book "Study on the Status, Role and Performance of Regional and Local Government Development Committees in selected Regions in Namibia"
The Namibian Institute for Democracy (NID) signed a grant contract in 2013 with the European Union (EU) to the value of €334,122 for a three-year programme in association with the Namibian Institute for Administration and Management (NIPAM) aimed at strengthening the interaction between Civil Society and Local and Regional Authorities through Development Committees.
The establishment of Development Committees at settlement, local authority and regional level, was initiated by the then Ministry of Regional and Local Government and Housing in the late nineties with the aim of strengthening the involvement of the citizenry in the governance of the country at sub-national level. Development Committees are meant to consult the policy makers at all levels of governance on all development issues.
Efficient functioning of Development Committees ideally facilitates rural development and poverty reduction and hence, contributes to pursuing the Millennium Development Goals through improved planning for key basic service delivery such as water, sanitation, primary health care, housing, economic and community development.
Some of the main undertakings of the project include technical assistance by the NID to Regional and Local Authorities in developing strategic plans as well as the provision of training to Civil Society Organisations to actively participate in Development Committees.
Study on the Status, Role and Performance of Regional and Local Government Development Committees in Selected Regions of Namibia
One of the main outcomes of this programme is the "Study on the Status, Role and Performance of Regional and Local Government Development Committees in Selected Regions of Namibia" that will be launched today. The study was conducted in close collaboration with the Ministry of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development to compile and analyse data on the various types of development committees in Namibia, which provided the basis for further training, technical assistance and civic education programmes to strengthen the role of Development Committees.
In this respect, a series of consultative regional workshops took place during 2014 to present region specific results and a training manual was developed on the roles and functions of Development Committees for Regional and Local Authorities.
"The European Union is pleased to be part of the Project, "Interaction between Civil Society and Regional and Local Governments in Namibia" which we believe will contribute towards further strengthening decentralisation and democracy in Namibia." said Ambassador Raúl Fuentes Milani, Head of the EU Delegation to Namibia.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Naomi Kisting
- 70-72 Frans Indongo Street
- P. O. Box 11956 Klein Windhoek, Namibia,
- Telephone: 061-229-117
- Email: kistingnaomi@gmail.com
Susan-Marie Lewis
- Europe House
- 2 Newton Street, P O Box 24443
- Telephone: 061-202 6000, Fax: 061-2026224
- Email: Susan-Marie.LEWIS@eeas.europa.eu
NIPAM
- Paul Nash Street
- Olympia, P O Box 13201
- Tel: 061-2964700
- Email: lister.chaka@nipam.mdi.na