NAMIBIA:
Bridging govt and civil society divide
JOHANNESBURG, 21 October (IRIN) - Moves are underway to enhance
interaction between Malawi's parliament and civil society to increase the flow
of information to the electorate.
The Blantyre-based Institute for Policy Interaction (IPI) embarked on a
series of regional workshops with MPs, NGOs and the media, culminating
in a national workshop held from 15 to 17 October.
"The purpose of the national workshop was to deliberate on the feedback
emanating from the regional workshops, and translate it into a feasible
action plan that would be implemented by elected teams, with fixed
deadlines to achieve their objectives, which were all aimed towards
enhancing links and accessibility between parliament and civil society," the
IPI said in a statement.
Teams are now being formed to translate "into concrete action" the
concept of building bridges between government, civil society and the
electorate.
Areas to be immediately addressed include capacity building for MPs, to
enable them to understand subjects that are highly technical, thus
enhancing their ability to contribute more constructively in parliamentary
debates. Civil society's comprehension of parliamentary procedures was
also identified as an area that needed improvement.
The teams would also work on improving "channels of communication, for
better flow of information from parliament to the electorate, i.e.,
better distribution of Hansard [parliamentary records] and fact sheets at
grassroots levels".
A permanent civil society office is to be established in the parliament
buildings in Lilongwe. "The office would be manned by a parliament
liaison or publicity officer," the IPI added.
Crucial to the success of the initiative was revitalising the formal
relationship with the media, through the media committee in parliament,
so that they would be encouraged to participate in the committee.
The introduction of legislation in areas of specific interest through
private member's bills also needed to be encouraged, the national
workshop found.
Malawians will go to the polls in May next year to choose a new
president and parliament.