The AVAVA Democracy and Political Leadership Programme
The purpose is to train and prepare politicians to have the skills and ability to be principled driven, accountable and transparent democratic representatives.
The objective is to have politicians and candidates in their personal preparation be exposed to the content and knowledge of what is needed to be democratic and accountable politicians. The training include the basic principles of democracy, leadership and the management of political parties and organisations as well as free and fair elections.
All over the world and particularly in Africa political role players are under increasing pressure to comply with rules of transparency, accountability, integrity and political competence. The personal preparation of political leaders for their career and responsibilities remains the sole responsibility of the individuals involved. Unfortunately, in many cases due to a lack of resources political role players have to do their job with relative little training outside the orientation training that they receive when elected.
Political role players and leaders without a strong basic knowledge of the principles of democratic and accountable representation can often be tempted to become part of unacceptable political activities. These processes can develop slowly and over a long period of time and could severely limit the positive legacy of politicians.
The training content will ensure preparation for existing political role players as well as new candidates. Men and women as well as new and young political candidates and politicians will benefit from this project.
The emphasis of development is placed on accountability of politicians as well as the need for open and transparent processes in all societies. The objectives of democratic principles and good governance will be supported by this initiative.
The programme addresses the need that was identified for training and development of politicians and community leaders in preparation for their responsibilities.
Workshops
The theme for the workshop will focus on the holistic approach to
Political Leadership
- Politically managing a portfolio
- Executive decision making
- Networking with interest groups and opinion makers
- Interaction with portfolio committees and sub councils
- Caucus and study groups
- Relations with concurrent functionaries at Provincial- and National level
- Media and Public Relations
- Effective speechmaking
- Understanding Municipal Finances
Holistic approach on interactive representation and community service
- An ideology - with a vision and a plan
- Party focus and responsibilities
- Constituency responsibilities
- Council and Executive
Public participation and accountability
- Problem solving
- Listening skills
- Analytical skills
- Schedule and balancing the priorities
- Personal programme
- Council and Executive programme
- Constituency programme
Personal preparation will include:
- Diary and time schedules
- Personal programmes and time management
- Personal image
- Caucus meetings/Whips/Study groups
- Contact with constituencies
- Activities in constituencies
Personal skills and use of resources
- Personal skills
- Problem solving
- Counseling
- Communication
- Leadership
- Management skills
- Time management
- Council allocations
- Voluntary workers
Community needs and priorities
- Constituency objectives
- Council strategy and focus
- Party focus
- Supporters
- Voters
- Citizens
- Addressing of voter problems
Constituency structures and projects
- Party priorities and allocations
- Structure development
- Interest groups
- Issues / needs
- Implementation of structures
- Use of structures
- Voluntary workers
- Constituency projects:
Participants will further develop:
- Skills to enhance public participation in constituency activities.
- Skills to ensure effective prioritising the needs in communities.
- Skills to identify, motivate and use voluntary workers in serving their communities and constituencies.
Participants will further develop their skills to communicate effectively and develop and deliver speeches through:
- Theme identification
- Research
- Speech preparation
- Personal preparation and practice
- Delivering effective speeches
Practical speechmaking will include:
- The choice of the theme for a speech
- The role of the party
- The role of the committees
- The role of the whips
- Research
- The content of the speech
- Personal preparation
- Visit to the podium
- The role of the speaker
- Final delivery
- Follow-up of the speech:
- Media
- Constituency
- Minutes of meetings
- Personal archives