TRC Web - Deomcracy and Human Righst

Democracy & Human Rights Programme
	A healthy, functioning democracy is the aim of the Democracy Programme. A healthy democracy does not just mean democratic institutions. It also requires that society at large be shaped by democratic values and active in its own governance. Broad-based participation in public affairs is the only long-term solution to ensure competent and skillful governance in the interest of the people of Lesotho. The focus of the programme is to strengthen public understanding, appreciation and participation in democracy. Through this programme, TRC has reached thousands of Basotho in the rural areas through civic education. Issues covered include good governance, democracy and human rights. Recently, the programme widened its reach with the introduction of a sub-programme focusing on strengthening public participation in parliament through improved interaction between members of parliament and the electorate.
Civic Education In High Schools
	TRC reaches students by equipping and training teachers to teach on democracy, human rights, conflict management, and the Constitution. First, we develop teaching material for classrooms. In recent years, TRC has written and published a simplified version of the Lesotho Constitution in English and Sesotho, with an accompanying 180-page Teaching Manual. TRC has also produced a textbook for Conflict Studies, Conflict Studies for Lesotho , which forms part of the Development Studies curriculum in Lesotho high schools. More...
2003 National Student Mock Parliament
	As part of our commitment to civic education in high schools, TRC held the 2003 National Student Mock Parliament. 109 high school students from across Lesotho gathered in Maseru from 1 to 5 December, 2003. The students took the roles of parliamentarians, debating nine issues of national importance using the same debating procedure that is used in the National Assembly. Through this experience, the students got an inside look at how the parliament functions. This event generated interest in politics among the young people of Lesotho. TRC hopes that this will help to raise up a generation of capable and dedicated citizens who will contribute to the good governance of Lesotho in the years to come. Read a full report on the Mock Parliament (.pdf) >>>

Transition to Local Government

Lesotho is currently undergoing a process of decentralisation of government. Whereas government at the local level used to be squarely in the hands of traditional chiefs, these powers have been transferred to democratically-elected local government councils.

This process is meeting resistance and confusion on the part of the chiefs and other community leaders. TRC is addressing this need by holding workshops on local government, informing chiefs and community leaders of the changes that are taking place, and giving them a forum to air their concerns.

LESOTHO DEMOCRACY PROGRAMME

TRC has a sub-programme, referred to as Lesotho Democracy Programme (LDP), whose main thrust is to strengthen the parliament and enhance good governance practices in Lesotho.

The Lesotho Democracy Programme is a joint initiative of the Transformation Resource Centre and the South African Institute of International Affairs. It is funded by the Royal Danish Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.

The first meetingto introduce the programme to stakeholders was with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on April 4, 2007. The IEC suggested the use a uniform civic/voter education manual by all stakeholders to avoid confusion. The IEC is of the opinion that political parties should not be included in civic\voter education as trainers because they sometimes distort information for their political ends. The IEC suggested the inclusion of HIV and AIDS information in civic/voter education programmes. The IEC strongly advised TRC through the LDP to maintain objectivity in carrying out its mandate.

The second meeting was with the President of Senate April 11, 2007. He was impressed by the initiative, as in his opinion, was going to complement the parliamentary reform process already in progress. Senate President was given assured that indeed the Programme was an effort to add to the reform process already in progress.

In his view, NGOs should assist in educating the public about the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP). He added that public participation in the parliamentary processes should be encouraged so that the public can be directly involved in decision-making. He bought the idea that Bills should be discussed by different stakeholders before their making into law.