Visitors Exchange Programme:  2009/2010

IDASA is the Primary Partner in an Executive Service Unit for democracy organizations and researchers in Africa.  This Exchange Programme is sponsored by the Norwegian government / Fredskorpset (FK) and is based on exchange and reciprocity in the spirit of south-south co-operation.

Fredskorpset (FK), Norwegian for ‘peace corps’, is a traditional Norwegian volunteer organization with roots that date back to the 1960’s.  The central role of FK Programmes is to promote human rights and to contribute to the improvement of economic, social and political conditions through the assembling and dissemination of information.

The objectives of the Executive Service Unit are:

• To contribute towards lasting improvements in the economic, social and political conditions of the populations of developing countries, with particular emphasis on ensuring that development assistance benefit the poor.
• To promote a more just world based on the recognition of fundamental human rights.

The partnership between IDASA and other African civil society organizations seek to promote the sharing of information and knowledge within the African continent.  IDASA and its African Partners exchange staff members for a period of 10 months and thus providing young professionals between the ages of 22 and 35 the opportunity to do a work assignment in another country in Africa.

Brief description of IDASA’s South-South Partners:

1. Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana)
CDD-Ghana is an independent, non-governmental, and non-partisan institution dedicated to the promotion of democracy, good governance and economic openness n Ghana and Africa.  Founded in 1998, the Center pursues its pro-democracy and good governance vision through advocacy, research, analysis and publications, disseminations and outreach as well as training and capacity-building.  The Center pursues this vision also through local and international collaborations, partnerships, and through ad-hoc coalitions with other civil society bodies and stakeholders; in addition to seminars, conferences, workshops and roundtables.  It is a member and co-manager of the “Afrobarometer,” a survey research project tracking public opinion on political, social and economic developments in 18 African countries.  In addition to its activities within Ghana, CDD-Ghana has provided, and continues to provide, consultancy services and technical assistance to several African countries in the area of elections, anti-corruption, transitional justice and governance reforms.

2. The Institute for Policy Interaction (IPI-Malawi)
IPI is a vision driven policy think tank that offers fact based pro-poor inputs towards governmental policy formulation and decision making.  IPI uses research to glean, collate, and disseminate relevant information to all stakeholders in order to catalyze a fully participatory democracy.

3. Parliamentary and Public Support Trust (PAPST-Zimbabwe)
PAPST is a non-governmental organization focusing on building the capacity of elected representatives – especially in their multi-faceted roles and responsibilities as civic and political leaders in Zimbabwe.

4. Transformation Resources Centre (TRC-Lesotho)
TRC is a governance and advocacy non-governmental organization which works with communities and citizens on democracy and human rights issues.

Names of the Participants on the South-South Exchange for the period 2009 / 2010:
1.   IDASA is sending Theophilous Chiviru to TRC-Lesotho.
2.   IDASA is sending Shingai Mphosa to CDD-Ghana.
3.   CDD-Ghana is sending Adu Duayeden to PAPST-Zimbabwe.
4.   IPI-Malawi is sending Akeel Hajat to IDASA.
5.   TRC-Lesotho is sending Tsikoane Peshoane to IPI-Malawi.

NCA is the Primary Partner in this Exchange Programme and IDASA the Secondary Partner.  Both Partners believe that both organizations will benefit greatly from this Exchange Programme.  Instead of an exchange in which south partners visit Norway to learn from the north partner, NCA and IDASA believe that this partnership will enable the two organizations to share expertise, experience and enthusiasm in both directions.  An overall motivation for this exchange is that the two organizations may gain inspiration from Norway and South Africa’s vision and practice of participatory democracy and accountable governance.  Through the exchange, both the FK candidates and their home organizations will gain insight into the contributions of two very different countries on the broader agenda of democratic formation and accountable governance.

Brief background on the Norwegian Church Aid (NCA)

The Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) is mandated by the churches in Norway to promote global justice through practical work in emergency relief, long term development and political advocacy.  NCA is a Norwegian organization with headquarters in Oslo but with 22 regional and country offices in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.  These regional and country offices are instrumental in building and managing relationships and programs with local partner organizations, who implement a range of initiatives to address injustice and poverty,

NCA works together with local partner organizations to create change.  For the 2005-2009 periods, NCA has identified the following thematic priorities for its work:
• Civil Society for Accountable Governance.
• Faith Communities Address HIV and Aids.
• Communities for Fresh Water and Safe Sanitation.
• Men and Women Address Gender Based Violence.
• Religions for Conflict Transformation and Peace Building.

Names of Participants on our North-South Exchange for the period 2009 / 2010:
1.   IDASA sends Mvuyisi April to NCA-Tanzania.
2.   NCA-Norway sends Martine Roberts to IDASA.

For further information on the Executive Service Unit, please contact Ms René Botha.