Parliament of Mozambique

Last Updated on Tuesday, 25 October 2011 10:48 Written by Communications Monday, 14 June 2010 13:17

Attention: open in a new window.

Background

The AWEPA Mozambique Strategic Vision Programme is composed of four major subprogrammes:

1. The Parliamentary Programme;

2. The Local Decentralised Programme (municipalities and Provincial Assemblies);

3. The Political Parties Programme; and,

4. Research and Publication Programme.

In addition, cross cutting issues such as HIV/AIDS, Gender Issues, Child Rights and Agriculture and Climate Change form an integral part of the programme.

AWEPA acknowledges that significant interlinks exist between the National Assembly, Local Government, Provincial Assemblies, Political Parties and Research and Publication programme elements. The programmes are mutually reinforcing and complementary and have been developed and implemented by AWEPA in close cooperation with its partners, namely the National Assembly of Mozambique (AR), the Ministry of State Administration (MAE), National Association of Municipalities of Mozambique (ANAMM), Centre for Public Integrity (CIP) and Political Parties (PP). These partnerships are based on the long-term commitment to develop the institutional capacity of the elected organs to train their own members and to strengthen the political party structures at a national and local level.

Objectives

The objectives of AWEPA’s Mozambique programme are to strengthen the capacity of Parliament, Provincial Assemblies, Local Governments and political parties, and to have urgent issues integrated into the policies of these institutions. The ultimate goal of AWEPA’s work in Mozambique is to contribute to the following processes:

• The legitimacy, functioning and development of democratic institutions;

• The consolidation of peace and harmonious socio-economic development;

• The involvement and active participation of the general public, and civil society in the democratic process and democratic institutions at national, as well as local level; and,

• The availability and exchange of information on the Mozambican democratisation process by carrying out research and disseminating publications and other educational materials.

Results

Parliamentarians learnt about Agriculture Strategic Policies as well as relevant economic legislation available in Mozambique and the process of producing legislation. Follow-up activities will take place in 2011 towards the enactment of a law on agriculture.

Elected members of Municipalities and Provincial Assemblies became familiar with the legal and practical base of the functioning of locally elected organs. A platform was established to jointly analyse problems, as well as exchange experiences to improve the functioning of the Local Assemblies and Councils. Capacity building of women in Local Government and the integration of gender issues, child rights, ethics in governance and public finance, also received special attention.

Political parties received tools to develop their skills and expertise in representation and communication.

Activities

Training Course for Parliamentary Staff on Protocol and Organization of Parliamentary Events

Five day training course for parliamentary staff will be taking place, focusing on the Protocol and Organization of Parliamentary Events.

A consultant was commissioned to translate internal regulation of the Mozambican National Assembly into English. The result will be published in the form of a booklet.

Mozambique Political Process Bulletin
AWEPA, in partnership with the Center of Public Integrity (CIP), produces two bulletins per year with supervision from the consultant Joseph Hanlon. This bulletin is a collection of information about Mozambique political developments coming from journalists around the country.

Seminar- Xai-Xai, Beira and Nampula
In November 2008, municipal elections were held in Mozambique. In a series of Provincial Seminars, AWEPA, in cooperation with the Ministry of State Administration, organises introduction courses for the newly elected members in order to clarify the roles and functions within local government. Approximately 395 members of the Municipal Assemblies of the Municipalities from the three provinces will attend the seminar.

Training Course on Strategies and Negotiation Techniques on Agreements and International Protocol
Five day training course will be taking place focusing on strategy and negotiation techniques on agreements and international protocol for parliamentary staff.

Training of parliamentary staff on basic legislation and parliamentary writing techniques
A five day activity took place in Maputo involving parliamentary staff. The first day was dedicated to evaluating performance of assistants of the committees and working groups during the last legislature. The subsequent four days were used to train staff in basic legislation and parliamentary writing techniques.

Seminar on Basic Functioning of the Provincial Assemblies- Cabo Delgado
Two day training seminar will be taking place, focusing on the functioning of the Provincial Assemblies as well as their relationship with other elected and state organs and with civil society.