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Workshop of Decentralization and Local Governance.

Malange, 21 November 2007 - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with GoA (MAT), organized on 20 – 21 November a Workshop in Malange introducing the Phase II, of the project of Decentralization and Local Governance.

 The Phase II of this project is the extension of the Phase I, of decentralization and local governance (DGL) which started in 2004 as an experiment that took place in four municipalities in the provinces of Luanda (Kilamba Kiaxi), Bie (Camacupa), Uige (Sanza Pombo) and Malange (Kalandula). The objectives of the project was to assist GoA (MAT), In 2002 to elaborate a strategic plan, in order to establish a legal and institutional framework to decentralize governance at local level, in the implementation of fiscal instruments for decentralization, in the promotion of democratic governance, in the capacity building of the local authorities and in the pursuit of partnerships with local and provincial private sector particularly identifying partners within the same domain.

The purpose of the workshop was to introduce the Phase II of the project of decentralization, to update and inform the participants the state and the essence of the process of decentralization in Angola. The Phase II of decentralization initiated in August 2007 with a period of implementation and development of 3 years. The principal focus of Phase II of DGL is to familiarize the Local Authorities of the process of Decentralization, democratization, integration of gender mainstreaming, enhance Capacity building of its Human Resources (efficient management of HR, finance& resources) and to promote involvement and more active participation of the local communities in the development ( achieve the MDGs) of their jurisdiction .

The Governor of the province of Malange, Mr. Cristovão da Cunha opened workshop, he emphasized the importance of the seminar in the improvement of the local administration which would in turn count for the advancement of the all community, and the Governor cited an example of the nonexistence of birth register in certain localities which handicaps the exercise of good administration.

The Deputy Governor, Mr. Gaspar Neto in his presentation, spoke of the stance and perspective of the Angola government in the pillar of governance, decentralization constituting therefore a fundamental drive for changes of the local administration. Deputy governor Gaspar Neto express the need to bring people closer in the development and decision making process of their municipalities, and also the need to integrate the traditional authority in the forefront of local administration.

Dr. Carlos Samba, the representative of government (MAT), in his speech said that one of fundamental political principle of the Angola as democratic and pluralistic state was to empower local Administration, and therefore decentralization is an inherent politic-administrative fact.

Esau Chiviya , Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) of UNDP-Angola, addressed the workshop and informed the participants of the 10 new components of the DLG project (Phase II) namely: sensitization and dissemination of information, legal and regulatory framework, fiscal decentralization and resource mobilization, Plan and budgeting the local development, management of finance, institutional and human resources capacity building, Monitoring and evaluation of the administration.

Esau Chiviya stressed the role of UNDP's task of promoting good governance includes a wide range of activities. Through its portfolio of good governance, i.e. decentralization projects, UNDP in Angola is helping to develop capacities of national institutions in Angola for their effectiveness and efficiency, promote accountability and transparency, work at the policy level, provide policy advice to national partner institutions, and improve citizens' access to public, social and legal services. He remarks that good governance allows a responsible economic and financial management of public and natural resources for the purpose of economic growth, social development and poverty reduction in an equitable and sustainable manner.

Drª Margarida Ulisavu (National Director for the promotion and coordination of the MINFAMU), Sylvie Gallot a CBS (UNDP) and lectured and enlighten the debate on gender mainstreaming. Through decentralization Local Administration should incorporate the gender parity. They equally spoke on raising awareness on international human rights principles and enhancing women equal access to justice, education, and health as well as strengthen they role in the democratic and development process of their communities.

The workshop was attended by all the administrators of the 4 designated Provinces and various Media, ANGOP, RNA, TPA and BBC international.