Africa Regional Seminar on Participatory Budgeting

With the advance of democratization and decentralization reforms, Participatory Budgeting is rapidly gaining attention from governments, civil society, and development agencies as an effective platform for strengthening transparency, voice, and accountability in public expenditure management, and service delivery. Since the early experimental initiatives in Brazil, the use of Participatory Budgeting has grown exponentially in many countries in Latin America, Europe, and Asia, and more recently, in Africa. This has created a growing demand for knowledge about how to develop and implement participatory budgeting in the African context.

Taking this into consideration, The Municipal Development Partnership for Eastern and Southern Africa (MDP-ESA) has organized a seminar on Participatory Budgeting from March 10-13, 2008 in Durban, South Africa. The event has been supported by The Municipality of Durban, African Affiliated Network on Social Accountability (ANSA), The World Bank Group, The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), The Trust Fund for Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development (TFESSD), UN-Habitat, and Wagner School of Public Administration/New York University.

The seminar has targeted local, regional and national level practitioners, government officials, NGOs, academics and development agencies. 

Please, download the seminar agenda here.

You may download the presentations and papers here.

By clicking on the respective sessions,  real Player will open, and play automatically.

Day 1, Session 1 - Introduction to Africa Regional Seminar on Participatory Budgeting:

• George Matovu, Regional Director, Municipal Development Partnership for Eastern and Southern Africa. Click here to see the session .
• Maurice Mbolela, Secretary General of Local Government Association of Zambia. Click here to see the session.
• Mohammed Halfani, Chief Urban Governance Section, UN-HABITAT. Click here to see the session.
• Robert S. Chase, Lead Community Driven Development Specialist, World Bank. Click here to see the session.
• Councillor Obed Mlaba, Mayor of Durban. Click here to see the session.

Day 1, Session 2 - Overview of the Key factors Underlying Policy Reforms in Africa to Strengthen Budget Transparency, Voice and Independent Oversight:

•  H.E. Mayor Eneas Comiche, Mayor of Maputo and VP of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa.  Click here to see the session.

Day 1, Session 3 - African Good Practices which Promote Transparency, Accountability, and Participation in Municipal Public Expenditure Management and Service Delivery:

• Hon. Musoni Protais. Click here to see the session.
• Jeffrey M. Thindwa, Senior Social Scientist.  Click here to see the session.

Day 1, Session 4 - International Good Practices:

• Roger Salhuana Cavides, Ministry of Finance Representative, Peru. Click here to see the session.
• Jaime Vasconez, Centro Internacional de Geston Urbana: Click here to see the session.
• Brian Wampler, Associate Professor of Political Science, Boise State University. Click here to see the session.
• Questions and Answers: Click here to see the session.

Day 1, Session 5 - The Future of Participatory Budgeting in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges:

• Kwanena Ahwoi, Former Minister of Local Government, Ghana. Click here to see the session.
• Mayor of Maputo and VP of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa. Click here to see the session.
• Mayor Celestine Keutch Courtes, Cameroon. Click here to see the session.
• Ziria Ndifuna, Deputy Chairman, Uganda Local Government Finance Commission, Uganda. Click here to see the session.

Day 2, Session 6 - Operational Principles of Budget Transparency and Demystification:

• Thandiwe Thando Mlobane, Municipal Finance Expert, Municipal Development Partnership for Eastern and Southern Africa.  Click here to see the session.
• Questions and Answers.  Click here to see the session.

Day 2, Session 7 - Africa Case Studies:

• Alfred D.W. Chanza, Director of Administrative Services, Blantyre City Assembly, Malawi. Click here to see the session.
• Courtney W. Babcock and Shital Shah, New York University. Click here to see the session.
• Dalitso Kingsley Kubalasa, Director of Programmes, Malawi Economic Justice Network. Click here to see the session.
• Questions and Answers. Click here to see the session.

Day 2, Session 8 - International Case Studies:

• Nilza Oliveira, Participatory Budgeting Coordinator, Andre, Brazil. Click here to see the session.
• Tatyana Saltos, Coordinator Participatory Budgeting, Cotacachi, Ecuador. Click here to see the session.
• Questions and Answers. Click here to see the session.

Day 3, Session 1 - An Overview of Key Operational Issues To Increase Citizen Voice in Revenue and Expenditure Planning:

• Mohammed Halfani, Chief Urban Governance Section, UN-HABITAT. Click here to see the session.
• Questions and Answers. Click here to see the session.

Day 3, Session 2 - Africa Case Studies:

• Mr. Krish Kumar, Treasurer, eThekwini Municipality. Click here to see the session.
• Questions and Answers. Click here to see the session.
• Ms. Mary Rusimbi, Gender Development Specialist, D & D Consulting. Click here to see the session.
• Questions and Answers. Click here to see the session.

Day 3, Session 3 - International Case Studies:

• Galo Ramon Valarezo, Executive Director, and Guillermo Teran, Consejo Provincial de Chimborazo Comunidec. Click here to see the session.
• Giovani Allegretti, Professor, Center for Social Studies, Colmbra Univeristy. Click here to see the session.
• Questions and Answers.  Click here to see the session.

Day 4, Session 1 - Operational Principles Of Independent Oversight In Budget Execution:

• Kwanena Ahwoi, Former Minister of Local Government, Ghana. Click here to see the session.
• Questions and Answers. Click here to see the session.

Day 4, Session 2 - African Case Studies:

• Zerubabel Ojoo Executive Director, Management Systems and Economic Consultants, Uganda. Click here to see the session.
• Christelle Melly, Program Advisor, Intercooperation Switzerland, and Randriarilala Jean Thierry, Intercooperation Switzerland. Click here to see the session.
• Questions and Answers. Click here to see the session.

Day 4, Session 3 - International Case Studies:

• Ana Luiza Nabuco Palhano, Adjoint Planning Secretary, Belo Horizonte City Hall. Click here to see the session.
• Ihsan Haerudin, Program Manager, National Democratic Institute, Jakarta, Indonesia. Click here to see the session.
• Questions and Answers. Click here to see the session.

• The Municipal Development Partnership for Eastern and Southern Africa (MDP-ESA) 
• Municipality of Durban 
• African Affiliated Network on Social Accountability (ANSA) 
• The World Bank Group 
• The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) 
• The Trust Fund for Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development (TFESSD) 
• UN-Habitat 
• Wagner School of Public Administration/New York University 

Mr. George Matovu
MDPESA Executive Director
gmatovu@mdpafrica.org.zw
Tel: +263-4-774385/6
Fax: 263-4-774387

--OR--

Mr. Andre Herzog
Social Development Department, World Bank
aherzog@worldbank.org
Tel: +001-1-202-458-2683 (US)
Fax: +001-1-202-522-1669