Rwanda

Stakeholders discuss and learn from each other matters regarding governance in a stakeholders' workshop: 

Kigali , 31 January 2008: A stakeholders workshop on joint Governance assessment was organized by the Government of Rwanda with the support from its development partners. It brought together around 120 invited stakeholders from government, development partners, civil society and the private sector.

The objectives of the Joint Governance Assessment can be broadly stated as follows:

•  To undertake a thorough and rigorous analysis of existing institutions, laws and practices affecting governance in Rwanda , and propose policy improvements.

•  To define and monitor indicators to measure performance, assess progress, highlight weaknesses and establish priorities for action.

•  To make recommendations on establishing an ongoing system for monitoring the agreed indicators, including training for the Rwanda Governance Advisory Council.

Good governance has long been viewed by the Government of Rwanda and its development partners as an essential condition for development and peace. The recent Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy for Rwanda emphasizes that the strategy will not succeed without good governance, and includes governance as one of its three flagship programmes.

While the purpose is not to assess Rwanda 's performance in comparison to other countries, the study will seek to draw on international best practice in assessing progress in Rwanda and making recommendations for action. The assessment is rooted in a political economy approach recognizing that political development goes hand-in-hand with economic and social development. In taking this broad and interconnected view, the aim is to examine both formal and informal institutions of governance and the underlying processes that drive change. Political processes will be analyzed in connection to economic and social development, and the relations between state and society in their historical context.

This workshop was an important stage in the preparation of the governance assessment. The views of a wide range of stakeholders are important, including from individuals, civil society organizations, the private sector, the professions, the media, researchers, as well as NGOs. The workshop was an opportunity for all people from different sectors to contribute to the overall direction of the governance assessment, and also in a more focused way to particular discussions and conclusions, and to priorities for future action.

The Joint Governance Assessment is being undertaken under the direction of a Joint Steering Committee chaired by Hon. Minister of Local Administration, Good Governance, Community Development and Social Affairs, Mr. Protais Musoni, and co-chaired by the World Bank Country Representative, Ms Victoria Kwakwa. A Technical Committee chaired by the Rwanda Governance Advisory Council provides specific expertise on methodology and governance analysis. The Policy Practice has been commissioned by UNDP to put together a team of international and Rwandan consultants to undertake the assessment over the period January-March 2008.