idassa_nam09

Country-led Governance Assessments Sharing Experiences and Increasing Political Accountability Namibia, November 2009

INTRODUCING IDASA Idasa is an independent public interest organisation committed to promoting sustainable democracy based on active citizenship, democratic institutions, and social justice.

P rogra mme s Ida s a ha s nine progra mme s with e xpe rtis e in • • • • •

S ocia l re s e a rch P olitica l fa cilita tion P ublic e duca tion a nd tra ining Coa lition a nd ne twork building Monitoring a nd informa tion dis s e mina tion

The role of African think tanks in Accountable Politics

Idasa: 20 Years of Democracy Advocacy 1987

2009

Building a climate for Democracy A Critical Ally of Transition Supporting Critical Elections Looking towards Africa Building Democratic Institutions Empowering Citizens Building Capacity for Democracy

The role of African think tanks in Accountable Politics

Engagement with Governance and Measuring Democracy • • • •

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Idasa’s Democracy Index Measuring South Africa’s new democracy – how do you tell if you are moving forward? How can you seriously examine the quality of democracy?

Central question: Do the people rule and do they rule equally?

Developed 2002, refined from 150 to 100 indicators Five Branches: Consensus on and Participation in Popular Self-government; Popular Selection of Decision-makers; Popular Control over Decision-makers; Equality; and Human Dignity Involves work by five analysts and “scoring” by Idasa management based on analysis and experience in the field

The role of African think tanks in Accountable Politics

Engagement with Governance and Measuring Democracy (2) • • • • •

UNECA Governance Study (Report & Revision) South Africa’s APRM (2006) Afrobarometer (ongoing) Local Governance Barometer (ongoing) Comparative Study of Governance (Ghana, Mozambique, Rwanda) • Developing ‘African’ Indicators - AU Charter on Democracy, Governance and Elections (measuring Africa by it own benchmarks)

The role of African think tanks in Accountable Politics

The African Charter on Democracy, Elections & Governance 1. Adopted by the African Union in January 2007 2. Thus far, only Mauritania (August 08) and Ethiopia (Jan 09 have completed the necessary ratification process 3. 25 Member States have signed the Charter 4. For the Charter to become a legal instrument, 15 members must sign, ratify and lodge the ratification with the AU Commission

The role of African think tanks in Accountable Politics

Idasa’s African Charter on DEG Project 1.

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The project seeks to a) assess and measure ten countries using the Charter as a lens and b) build constituencies of support for the Charter in these 10 countries The countries selected: Botswana, Burundi, Cape Verde, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and South Africa This will involve desktop and in-country research and mapping exercises are underway at present Identified local partners will attend a project Launch Workshop in February at which a report will be launched and country strategies will be developed in the service of ratification

The role of African think tanks in Accountable Politics

Idasa’s African Charter on DEG Project (2) Report Structure 1. Governance Indicators Incl. a comparative look at the World Bank, Freedom House, Economist Intelligence Unit, Bertelsmann Transformation Index and the Ibrahim Index of African Governance 2. Highlights based on Charter Chapters Incl. a focus on democratic institutions, democratic elections and building a culture of democracy 3. Conclusion and ratification strategies

The role of African think tanks in Accountable Politics

Discussion Points • What are the incentives and disincentives for accountability and transparency?

• What factors limit local capacity to both develop and use indicators in the service of accountability?

• What factors shape and determine political will?

• What does ‘democracy’ mean in the African context?

• Is the AU well placed to promote and ensure democratic practice?

Furthe r informa tion

www.ida s a .org