Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation, Centre for Youth Empowerment and Civic Education, Centre for Victimized Women and Children, Church and Society- Synod of Livingstonia, Federation of Disabled Organizations in Malawi, International Group Association, Pan African Civic Educators Network, NGO Gender Coordination Network, Nkhotakota Community Radio Station, Ntchisi Youth Development Organization, Phunzirani Development Organization, Tiphedzane Community Organization, Voice of Livingstonia, Zodiak.
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Civil Society Network on Accountability and Transparency Declaration Towards more Responsive and Accountable Local Governance System in Malawi February 17, 2016 We, leaders of 16 civil society organizations from across Malawi that have been implementing “Local Governance and Accountability Projects� engaged in a process to address the concerns of citizens in 13 councils where we are working specifically Chiradzulu, Dedza, Lilongwe, Luchenza, Karonga, Mzimba, Mzuzu, Nkhatabay, Nkhotakota, Ntchisi, Neno, Nsanje, and Thyolo. We have been working with communities in our districts to update social contracts that councilors signed as candidates during 2014 campaign period, establish accountability clubs to assess progress on social contracts, carry out public expenditure tracking and work together with local government officials to address concerns. Inspired by Section 12 subsections (1, 2, 3) of the Constitution of Malawi, we join to: 1. Promote unity of purpose to improve the quality of life for Malawians 2. Draw attention to ensure that public funds are used for their intended purposes in favour of our communities by addressing the misuse and theft of public resources 3. Recognize the efforts by the Government of Malawi to increase funding to a number of district councils 4. Call for compliance with legal provisions to allocate adequate funds for all Councils 5. Advocate for improved decentralization that includes inclusive funding, functions and functionalities of the local governance system 6. Support district councils to identify how to work together to increase transparency, responsiveness and accountability in local government 7. Encourage Members of Parliament, Councilors, District Executive Committees, Area Development Committees, Village Development Committees, Social Accountability Clubs and Councils to work jointly in favour of our communities 8. Promote inclusive local governance that facilitates ways for ALL citizens (including youth, women, and persons with disabilities) to take part in the decision making process of the district councils 9. Support oversight in local government to enhance the quality of service delivery 10. Encourage local governments to consult, engage and inform the public about district planning and budgeting 11. Increase collaborative efforts to respond to inadequate social services and poor service delivery in various sectors 12. We call for promotion of public -private partnerships to ensure improved public service delivery
13. Acknowledge the role of an independent and empowered civil society that is able to work collaboratively with local government officials to address citizen concerns 14. Increase efforts that aim to improve the quality of life and human rights for all Malawians with special emphasis on vulnerable groups in particular women, the youth and persons with disabilities through transparent, accountable and responsive local governments. And do hereby make this declaration that we will collaborate with Councils in our districts to ensure transparency and accountability and that the following citizen’s concerns and issues are addressed:
Increase infrastructure and upgrade in particular roads, bridges, and community centers Improve access to clean water and sanitation services Improve access to quality health care services Improve the quality and increase access to education Promote economic development Enhance food security and increase access to agriculture programs and services Promote Environmental Conservation
By signing we commit to follow up on this declaration and coordinate with like-minded initiatives. SIGNED
For more information contact spokespersons: Timothy Mtambo: amos_action@yahoo.co.uk or Tisungane Nanthoka: tnanthoka@gmail.com
mtambotimothy84@gmail.com;
Action
Amos:
With support from the National Democratic Institute made possible by the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID)