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Introduction

Civicus World Assembly 21-26 June, 2006 Glasgow, Scotland JCTR’s Engagement with Parliament in Zambia Presentation by Jack Jones Zulu. Introduction.

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Introduction

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  1. Civicus World Assembly21-26 June, 2006Glasgow, ScotlandJCTR’s Engagement with Parliament in Zambia Presentation by Jack Jones Zulu

  2. Introduction • The purpose of this presentation is to share with you the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR)’s engagement and experience with the Zambian Parliament Specifically we shall look at: • Political context in the country • Actors in engagement • Incentives and Disincentives for Engagement • Opportunities and Barriers to Engagement • Mechanisms for Engagement • Issues of Engagement • Outcomes • Lessons

  3. Political Context and Actors in Engagement • Since November 1991,Zambia has been a liberal multi-party democracy with over 45 political parties • There are over 2000 local and international civil society organisations operating in different fields Incentives and Disincentives for Engagement: • Both CSOs and parliament serve same constituencies and target groups and this acts as glue for working together

  4. Cont’d • Areas of cooperation are around budget formulation,national loan acquisition and debt management, formulation of national plans, etc • JCTR and the “Meet your MP” platforms • JCTR and the CCJDP on “faith” retreats for MPs Opportunities and Barriers • National platforms through multi-stakeholder dialogues and regional platforms such as the SADC-PF exist

  5. Mechanisms and Issues of Engagement • No proper mechanism for engagement between CSOs and parliamentarians especially at community level • Last two years, government has been setting up MPs’ offices in their constituencies • Issues for engagement range from trade,aid,national budget,NEPAD,MDGs, regional integration,good governance to HIV/AIDS,etc

  6. Outcomes and Lessons from engagement • Outcomes of collaboration are varied and mixed • Some policies have been made to respond to people’s needs • Weaknesses are in form of ‘on-off-on-off’ relationships between CSOs and some MPs • Working an in environment where the executive is powerful is a real challenge for CSOs • Parliament at times not willing to work with CSOs on perceived controversial issues e.g., mid-term gratuities for MPs

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