Topic
“Interference or Aid: Evaluating the Role of NGOs in Developmental Local Governance”

Purpose
The purpose of this seminar is to give a platform for the continuation of the debate on the role of civil society in issues of development and governance. This can further improve state civil society relations and partnerships between the state and civil society especially those NGOs that are working in the local government sphere. It is also intended to foster ties and partnerships within civil society so as to have a common stance on issues pertaining to state-civil society relations. The main focus, however, will be on the activities of good governance oriented NGOs.

Speakers

• Civil society
• Local Government
• Academics

Issues for discussion

• Evaluate the current state-civil society relations and municipality-civil society relations.
• Explore whether there is a common vision between civil society and local governments. Are there shared main developmental aims and objectives?
• Has civil society had any impact in terms of impacting government policy?
• Are NGOs and local authorities advancing the same agenda as spelt out in the people’s freedom charter of 1955 and further endorsed in the RDP document that the people shall govern?
• What was the role of civil society in the apartheid era and what has been the focus in the democratic era?
• What has been the impact of NGOs partnering with municipalities and to what extent has it gone towards the eradication of poverty and inequality? Are there specific examples that can be singled out?
• Has civil society had a positive impact or contributed meaningfully to the actual transformation of Local Government?

Venue
The Buffalo Club, East London (map available on request)

Date
23 March 2007

Time
Registration: 8.30 to 9.00
Programme: 9.00 to 13.00
Lunch: 13.00 to 14.00

RSVP by 20 March 2007

For more information or to confirm your attendance, please contact Bonginkosi Masiwa or Ruth Ritchie at Afesis-corplan.
Tel: 043 743 3830
Fax: 043 743 3830
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