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Community activism

LESSON

Lesson Learned: Training citizens on law and on institutional dialogue in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The restricted geographical scope of the project to just the municipality of Kinshasa made sense for the period 2008-2010, because it contributed to the projects focus and established a precedent for joint work with civil society organizations, police and judiciary.
Project Partner
RCN Justice & Démocratie
Project Description
The project aimed to enhance the legitimacy of the judicial system in order to reinforce democratic processes in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Specifically, the project was designed to improve the legal knowledge and sense of responsibility on the part of civil society actors by raising awareness of human rights among citizens and by improving trust between citizens and judicial institutions, as well as better liaison between judicial actors and civil society. The beneficiaries included the population of two municipalities in suburban Kinshasa, as well as families of military and police personnel housed in camps in the area; police officers, prosecutors and judges; and a group of trained NGO resource persons. The project was based on a sound strategy, which identified explicitly the institutional weaknesses that were to be addressed, and proposed realistic steps to address them. The training sessions for NGO resource persons and the seminars bringing together civil society, police and members of the judiciary were implemented to a particularly high standard, as they were both innovative in their field, and carried out with appropriate levels of skills and monitoring.
Evaluation Date
January 2011
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Training citizens on law and on institutional dialogue in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The project’s aim to increase demand for human rights protection in the Democratic Republic of Congo, by raising awareness, was sound. However the impact of this set of activities was relatively uncertain. A more deliberate strategy focusing on attitudinal change, drawing on social research and lessons from other countries, might have led to a more measurable impact.
Project Partner
RCN Justice & Démocratie
Project Description
The project aimed to enhance the legitimacy of the judicial system in order to reinforce democratic processes in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Specifically, the project was designed to improve the legal knowledge and sense of responsibility on the part of civil society actors by raising awareness of human rights among citizens and by improving trust between citizens and judicial institutions, as well as better liaison between judicial actors and civil society. The beneficiaries included the population of two municipalities in suburban Kinshasa, as well as families of military and police personnel housed in camps in the area; police officers, prosecutors and judges; and a group of trained NGO resource persons. The project was based on a sound strategy, which identified explicitly the institutional weaknesses that were to be addressed, and proposed realistic steps to address them. The training sessions for NGO resource persons and the seminars bringing together civil society, police and members of the judiciary were implemented to a particularly high standard, as they were both innovative in their field, and carried out with appropriate levels of skills and monitoring.
Evaluation Date
January 2011
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Training citizens on law and on institutional dialogue in the Democratic Republic of Congo

A high proportion of the project budget was devoted to producing leaflets and broadcasts, without a clear strategy for how these activities would be followed up to promote long-term changes in attitude. The lack of follow up was partly because of the wide target audience; however the grantee could have considered alternative forms of content and distribution.
Project Partner
RCN Justice & Démocratie
Project Description
The project aimed to enhance the legitimacy of the judicial system in order to reinforce democratic processes in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Specifically, the project was designed to improve the legal knowledge and sense of responsibility on the part of civil society actors by raising awareness of human rights among citizens and by improving trust between citizens and judicial institutions, as well as better liaison between judicial actors and civil society. The beneficiaries included the population of two municipalities in suburban Kinshasa, as well as families of military and police personnel housed in camps in the area; police officers, prosecutors and judges; and a group of trained NGO resource persons. The project was based on a sound strategy, which identified explicitly the institutional weaknesses that were to be addressed, and proposed realistic steps to address them. The training sessions for NGO resource persons and the seminars bringing together civil society, police and members of the judiciary were implemented to a particularly high standard, as they were both innovative in their field, and carried out with appropriate levels of skills and monitoring.
Evaluation Date
January 2011
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Training citizens on law and on institutional dialogue in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The project was relevant and well implemented, but follow-up was needed to consolidate the results in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Discontinuing some activities, such as supporting NGOs in the target suburbs and reducing engagement with the police and judiciary, would send a negative message about institutional dialogue.
Project Partner
RCN Justice & Démocratie
Project Description
The project aimed to enhance the legitimacy of the judicial system in order to reinforce democratic processes in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Specifically, the project was designed to improve the legal knowledge and sense of responsibility on the part of civil society actors by raising awareness of human rights among citizens and by improving trust between citizens and judicial institutions, as well as better liaison between judicial actors and civil society. The beneficiaries included the population of two municipalities in suburban Kinshasa, as well as families of military and police personnel housed in camps in the area; police officers, prosecutors and judges; and a group of trained NGO resource persons. The project was based on a sound strategy, which identified explicitly the institutional weaknesses that were to be addressed, and proposed realistic steps to address them. The training sessions for NGO resource persons and the seminars bringing together civil society, police and members of the judiciary were implemented to a particularly high standard, as they were both innovative in their field, and carried out with appropriate levels of skills and monitoring.
Evaluation Date
January 2011
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Rights and freedoms for all in Togo

The production of broadcasts in Togo involved a partnership with Radio Lomé, which was effective at getting messages across. The media regulation authority, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Electoral Commission were involved as resource persons for training activities and content. It is recommended that the grantee continues to develop and formalize these partnerships.
Project Partner
Centre d'Observation et de Promotion de l'Etat de Droit
Project Description
The objective of the project was to promote democratic culture at all levels in society irrespective of social status, political, religious, ethnic or regional allegiance. Activities included awareness-raising of rural populations on the concept of democracy; training of local elites on participatory democracy, human rights and citizenship; information, education and communication to promote participation in the 2010 presidential elections and in local elections; and debates in secondary and high schools on democratic values and principles. While the grantee responded to a priority need in Togo for the development of a democratic culture, significant weaknesses in design and implementation limited the project’s relevance. Important stakeholders such as the judicial and law-enforcement sectors were not addressed by the project’s actions and there were months-long periods when very few activities were implemented.
Evaluation Date
September 2010
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Rights and freedoms for all in Togo

The media regulation authority, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Electoral Commission were involved as resource persons for training activities and for developing content. It is recommended that the grantee continues to develop and formalize these partnerships.
Project Partner
Centre d'Observation et de Promotion de l'Etat de Droit
Project Description
The objective of the project was to promote democratic culture at all levels in society irrespective of social status, political, religious, ethnic or regional allegiance. Activities included awareness-raising of rural populations on the concept of democracy; training of local elites on participatory democracy, human rights and citizenship; information, education and communication to promote participation in the 2010 presidential elections and in local elections; and debates in secondary and high schools on democratic values and principles. While the grantee responded to a priority need in Togo for the development of a democratic culture, significant weaknesses in design and implementation limited the project’s relevance. Important stakeholders such as the judicial and law-enforcement sectors were not addressed by the project’s actions and there were months-long periods when very few activities were implemented.
Evaluation Date
September 2010
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Rights and freedoms for all in Togo

The needs, which the grantee sought to address, are still valid. Any follow-up project should be based on a long-term strategy and on a detailed analysis of the causes and consequences of the issues to be addressed. This analysis should take the form of a strategy document. The strategy paper should be developed using a participatory approach.
Project Partner
Centre d'Observation et de Promotion de l'Etat de Droit
Project Description
The objective of the project was to promote democratic culture at all levels in society irrespective of social status, political, religious, ethnic or regional allegiance. Activities included awareness-raising of rural populations on the concept of democracy; training of local elites on participatory democracy, human rights and citizenship; information, education and communication to promote participation in the 2010 presidential elections and in local elections; and debates in secondary and high schools on democratic values and principles. While the grantee responded to a priority need in Togo for the development of a democratic culture, significant weaknesses in design and implementation limited the project’s relevance. Important stakeholders such as the judicial and law-enforcement sectors were not addressed by the project’s actions and there were months-long periods when very few activities were implemented.
Evaluation Date
September 2010
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Rights and freedoms for all in Togo

The project did not sufficiently focus on Togo’s institutional stakeholders. The project’s target groups were all civil society members or local political leaders. None represented the law enforcement or judicial sectors, which are key actors in relation to human rights, freedom and democracy.
Project Partner
Centre d'Observation et de Promotion de l'Etat de Droit
Project Description
The objective of the project was to promote democratic culture at all levels in society irrespective of social status, political, religious, ethnic or regional allegiance. Activities included awareness-raising of rural populations on the concept of democracy; training of local elites on participatory democracy, human rights and citizenship; information, education and communication to promote participation in the 2010 presidential elections and in local elections; and debates in secondary and high schools on democratic values and principles. While the grantee responded to a priority need in Togo for the development of a democratic culture, significant weaknesses in design and implementation limited the project’s relevance. Important stakeholders such as the judicial and law-enforcement sectors were not addressed by the project’s actions and there were months-long periods when very few activities were implemented.
Evaluation Date
September 2010
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Rights and freedoms for all in Togo

Project implementation demonstrated that the grantee lacked human rights expertise. It is important to improve the expertise in this field to enable the grantee to develop a sound, rigorous strategy and credible message to Togo’s civil society and institutions.
Project Partner
Centre d'Observation et de Promotion de l'Etat de Droit
Project Description
The objective of the project was to promote democratic culture at all levels in society irrespective of social status, political, religious, ethnic or regional allegiance. Activities included awareness-raising of rural populations on the concept of democracy; training of local elites on participatory democracy, human rights and citizenship; information, education and communication to promote participation in the 2010 presidential elections and in local elections; and debates in secondary and high schools on democratic values and principles. While the grantee responded to a priority need in Togo for the development of a democratic culture, significant weaknesses in design and implementation limited the project’s relevance. Important stakeholders such as the judicial and law-enforcement sectors were not addressed by the project’s actions and there were months-long periods when very few activities were implemented.
Evaluation Date
September 2010
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Rights and freedoms for all in Togo

The grantee could reinforce the effectiveness of its actions promoting democracy in Togo by developing partnerships with civil society organisations experienced in working on women’s rights and on economic and social rights in rural areas.
Project Partner
Centre d'Observation et de Promotion de l'Etat de Droit
Project Description
The objective of the project was to promote democratic culture at all levels in society irrespective of social status, political, religious, ethnic or regional allegiance. Activities included awareness-raising of rural populations on the concept of democracy; training of local elites on participatory democracy, human rights and citizenship; information, education and communication to promote participation in the 2010 presidential elections and in local elections; and debates in secondary and high schools on democratic values and principles. While the grantee responded to a priority need in Togo for the development of a democratic culture, significant weaknesses in design and implementation limited the project’s relevance. Important stakeholders such as the judicial and law-enforcement sectors were not addressed by the project’s actions and there were months-long periods when very few activities were implemented.
Evaluation Date
September 2010
Country