Question 2

Question 2

What are my next steps about bringing my insights on DLG into my working context?

  • Thinking of a strategy to revitalize the decentralization reform agenda, particularly in view of the new government to be constituted following general election of June 23, 2013 in Albania. In case the current government remains in power – a need to invigorate an active process of and approving the decentralization strategic frame ; if current opposition gets in power, establishing new partnership with the new driving forces remains critical. The ‘HOW’ process around this dynamics is also linked with the next point.
  • A first step already consisted in presenting the highlights of the f2f and identifying the relevant take- backs for my Division at SDC during our recently held mid-term review. As a dlgn core group member, I will certainly continue to follow the discussions on the hot topics and also keep in touch with colleagues from the field in view of organizing possibly a PEA next year in the Mekong region.  

 

We, in Bangladesh, have just been informed of the award of a next phase of the Local Governance Programme. That brings to me, as project director, a lot of opportunities to use some of the learnings from this meeting: In the Inception phase of the project I would like to:

  • Not just do a ‘context analysis’ – conduct a ‘light version’ of a political economy analysis which will look into power relations, groups of influence, formal and informal factors of success
  • Include digital story telling as part of the monitoring system, and perhaps to a certain degree as an educational tool for citizens and LGs.
  • Focus more on downward accountability. Some of the above two (political economy analysis and digital story can actually help in establishing stronger downward accountability). We had had it here – but it was not too structured and more patched. With the new project, and inspired from the presentations during the workshop – we can come up with some better organized ways of enforcing stronger downward accountability at all levels of project.
  • I have already briefed my colleagues on the key insights of the F2F. We agreed to consider the term of “social inclusion” instead of non-discrimination while mainstreaming governance as a transversal theme.
  • Qualitative indicators will be one of the issues on the agenda of our mid-year review 2013.
  • Usage of social media by SCO Ukraine is to be considered.
  • Integration of Ukraine into one of the regional sub-networks.
  • SCO BiH is in the stage of reshaping its LG domain and establishing new programs/projects, therefore the workshop reflections and experiences from workshop sessions and specially selected case studies will be taken into consideration when working on the development of those programs. Furthermore, the conclusions and elaborations of the DLG learning project on MZ in BiH and the research paper on Informal Local Gov. institutions in WB (SDC/IDS) will be directly used for shaping a support/contribution project in cooperation with SIDA. Furthermore, a PEA on actors in the constitutional reform process will be undertaken.
  • We have to analyze our local governance portfolio in Bangladesh through political lens and try to find out niches and develop approaches to work with national parliament and political parties. At the same time, we have to be cautious about the risks and challenges associated with it. We have to think how we could integrate political economy analysis and power analysis aspects in to PCM process of our local governance projects. We will encourage our local governance projects to strengthen citizen led accountability and transparency mechanisms parallel to formal accountability mechanisms.  
  • Elaborate options to initiate a center of good governance at the local Faculty for Political Sciences, as a modality to work with young students who are to become members of state administration and political parties. The main purpose would be to generate governance values at an early stage of political development of young leaders.
  • First, I will share my key learning and insights from the DLGN F2F workshop with my colleagues in the SDC Vientiane Office and this by making a presentation in the staff meeting and by sharing my key learning in the DLGN blog and in the SDC Lao PDR blog. I will also share key documents from the two Learning Projects (Citizens participation & accountability, Outcomes measurement) with my colleagues
  • Secondly, in relation to the increase of SDC engagement with parliaments, this is very timely as the SDC Governance programme in Lao PDR is currently defining its engagement with the Lao National Assembly, with the focus to increase dialogue between parliamentarians & citizens. I look forward to learn more on how to effectively engage with parliaments (building on the best practice) through the next Dlgn Learning project on engaging with formal accountability system (to be define by end of 2013)
  • Last, outcomes measurement, particularly in governance programme, is a long term processes and requires time, resources and competences. I see that competence building, both within the SDC office (including myself) and partners organizations on Outcome definition & measurement is required. I learned that SDC has developed a PCM online training and therefore I will assess possibility for me and the partners to participate in this online training.
  • National Assembly Support Programme: I will organize regular exchanges (E-mail, phone) with colleagues from SDC Mongolia and Serbia regarding the key lessons learnt from our respective partnerships with UNDP: engaging with parliamentarians at both national and local level, developing an institutionalized training curricula for members of the parliament, ensuring the sustainability of the NA training center, promoting the dialogue and interaction between NA members and the civil society. In particular, I would like to find out how a qualitative moderation can provide safe spaces for marginalized groups to raise their concerns (in public hearings, etc).
  • LOGIN as the Regional DLGN Network: I will actively promote peer-to-peer exchanges at the regional level – South and East-Asia – through the LOGIN Network.
  • I will pay more attention to the context, in particular the political setup, and consider ways for engaging with parliaments and political parties.
  • I will continue to explore possibilities for use of visual methods for different purposes and in different projects.
  • Supporting colleagues in linking strategic and systemic reflections with hands-on programme/project implementation
  • Stimulating critical reflection and exchange among thematic colleagues
  • Seeking closer link / hamonisation with SCO in regard to project design and implementation
  • Programme for Local Development and Decentralization (dldp) is in the phase of designing its third phase, I find myself inspired to discuss with colleagues for integrating a learning component there, which will better synchronize dldp contribution within dlgn platform.
  • In additional, my reflection is that we do a lot of political economy in our daily actions. It would be good to enhance a process of documenting such dynamics in order to enrich the political economy aspects with implementations aspects (in additional of analytical ones mentioned in the f2f).
  • Trying to harmonize better programme with SDC reporting at outcome level will be a challenge, but there is clearly an added value there for informed strategic decisions at SDC level.
  • There are lots of point which I have taken with me from this event for example working with Parliamentarian would be a great idea which we are not coving in Bangladesh. I find myself to discuss with colleagues for integrating this learning component in our portfolio.
  • Explore further the DLGN members work in Social Accountability
  • Develop an overall M&E system to monitor the new local government intervention taking into account the changes in power relations.
  • Utilize visual methods (video clips) in monitoring as well as policy dialogue at different levels
  • In general, PEA is needed prior to the discussion to renew the Country Strategy in 2014
  • I am trying to draft a back to office report to my division and the country offices of the region that would be smart enough to attract the attention of my colleagues in relation with the two topics highlighted above. Plus sensitize the ALAC Division in Bern by using the “Blocktag” to address the issue of how to better bring the power dimension into program design.  As a regional workshop on DLG is planned for next year in the ALAC region (probably in Bolivia), I will try to bring those themes (power analysis & visual methods) closer to my colleagues by giving it a “Latin American” touch! I think that it is of no use to address the democratization agenda as such in Latin America and the Caribbean because one will face resistance. This is not a theme that people feel comfortable addressing directly. Therefore I would rather put the emphasis on the instruments and the methodology as highlighted above. In autumn, I should have the opportunity to do a thematic mission in Central America; this will be another entry point. Further, Haiti is currently drafting its country strategy; this is a good moment to bring those (power) considerations to light – though the analytical work has already been done. Finally, Cuba will be embarked next year in drafting a new country strategy, certainly those power aspects will be looked at carefully. Plus introducing visual methods in the Participation and Equality program will be considered (already positive feedback received from Coof / Division).
  • I initiated a meeting among all the partner institutions that were involved in the preparation of learning documents for the F2F (IDS, HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation and us), in order to try to distill a possible way forward for SDC in the field of democracy promotion. I think the three organizations together can bring a lot of added value to the overall discussion how best to take this forward within SDC and also the network.
  • To share my learning with the team, have a brainstorming workshop within the governance domain (may be at some point with our partners- Policy Forum) to identify ‘’the best fit’’ i.e. what can the governance domain adapt out of my learning.
  • Afterwards carry out min- w/shops with other DPs (actors) to further brainstorm on the issues. E.g. Democracy per Tanzanian context, Political Economy Analysis (who has done what and what is needed and how can we go about it jointly?).
  • Acquire necessary trainings from IDS (Institute of Development Studies) on PEA (Political Economy Analysis) I feel that SDC Tanzania would be pleased to host a multi-stakeholders workshop (similar to the one that was carried out in Mozambique.  And I personally would wish to carry out a course namely ‘’participation and critical thinking’’ provided by IDS.
  • To tap the moderation skills from the f2f event and apply them to other future events in Tanzania. I.e. fish-ball, different set up of the venue, different ways of reporting back from the small groups, the market place, steps for future actions.
  • Informing myself better on the political analyses and then informing the local project staff and try to devote attention to it in the weekly meetings
    Emphasize and encourage specific professional training in DLGN of local staff
  • As we are in the process of designing several new programmes or working on the preparation of new phases of existing programme, I will try to emphasize the need for more active communication with the political factors that have direct influence on the outcome of the programme interventions.
  • Within the framework of local governance support projects, one of the concrete ways to improve the accountability of local governments is the use of empowering visual aids by civil society and citizens. I am going to develop a project idea based around introducing visual reporting.
  • In SDC Mongolia’s country strategy for 2013-2016, one of the key focus areas is support for the strengthening of CSOs. The experiences of other offices clearly demonstrate the limitations and challenges in elaborating the role of civil society in democratisation processes, particularly in transition processes. I developed many different ideas and much inspiration from the master classes, as well as from well-documented case studies. This inspiration and the experiences of other SCO offices are useful for me in making a meaningful and constructive contribution to the design of the project focused on CSO strengthening in Mongolia.
  • Currently we are working to improve the M&E systems of projects, thus the recommendations on Outcome Measurement in Local Governance Programmes are being discussed and considered. I am sure we will contact the HO section on Quality assurance for support if there is a need. 

 

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