Democracy
Photo by Nadine Hutton
Introduction
The Democracy programme seeks to strengthen democratic institutions and their role in the building of democratic, just and inclusive societies.

Certain political characteristics shared across partner countries in the region undermine further development towards such societies. These include legacies of discrimination and distrust, one party dominance and a lack of meaningful engagement between citizens and decision makers.

Central to the project of enhancing the quality of democracy in partner countries as well as consolidating democracy’s hold in the region is the growth of legislatures into robust institutions that are responsive, representative of the concerns of citizens, and able to hold the executive to account. 

The foundation believes that the facilitation of informal engagement between political actors, civil society and citizens, as well as support that seeks to deepen existing participation mechanisms are key to building a culture of responsive governance, political accountability and transparent decision making.

As such, the programme focuses on:

  • Supporting (especially marginalized) citizen engagement and participation in democratic institutions  
  • Facilitating informal engagement platforms between civil society, academia and decision makers 
  • Promoting critical research and reflection about democratic establishments.

As gender equality is a central tenet of all HBF programmes, the Democracy programme works towards the vision of institutions which are not only representative, but also substantively responsive to issues of gender relations.

For more information, please contact Keren Ben-Zeev, Democracy Programme Manager: keren'at'boell.org.za

Civil Society
SUBMISSION
Submission to Portfolio Committee on Basic Education – Comments on How to Improve Basic Education
March 5, 2010 - This paper deals with the broad basic infrastructural needs and backlogs faced by many South African schools, which include the supply of water; sanitation; electricity; libraries; laboratories and computer centres. There still exists major inequality in access to basic resources in our schools. This is reflected in the disparate results between poor and privileged schools, with the latter performing better across the board. more»
PUBLICATION
We can't afford not to - Costing the provision of functional school – March 5, 2010 - This paper pursues three closely related objectives: to review the field of international and local research which, particularly over the past two decades, has pointed to the positive causal relationship between functional school libraries and improved learner outcomes; to contextualize the current state of affairs in South African schools; and lastly, to provide detailed cost estimates which can be used as the basis for a comprehensive implementation plan. more»
Governance & Institutions
ANALYSIS
Flawed assumptions will give SA a 'dinosaur economy'
July 12, 2010 - Parliament's portfolio committee on energy has less than a fortnight in which to intervene on the public’s behalf, before SA gets locked into an energy policy that could turn it into an economic dinosaur. The consequences of this could be soaring inflation, burdensome carbon taxes, loss of “green” job creation opportunities, and growth of an energy intensive economy at a time when much of the globe is steering away from this technology. By Leonie Joubert more»
Gender Democracy
ROUND TABLE
Challenges to Mainstreaming Gender in Legislation and Governance
May 14, 2010 - In an attempt to stimulate dialogue, together with the Gender Advocacy Programme, the Commission for Gender Equality and the Heinrich Boll Stiftung hosted an event on “Challenges to Mainstreaming Gender in Legislation and Governance: Comparative Perspectives" in Cape Town on the 3rd February 2010. The roundtable brought together public representatives, civil society organisations and academics.  more»
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POLICY BRIEF
Women in the executive: Can women's ministries make a difference? – February 2, 2010 - This article attempts an analysis of Women’s Ministries (structures on the level of the executive) that are normally tasked with the implementation of policy and legislation. It does so by looking at the experience of Women’s Ministries in the north, as well as in Africa. It also reflects on the more recent histories in the north of the dismantling of gender machineries as a consequence of gender mainstreaming. By Amanda Gouws more»
OPPORTUNITIES
  • The Heinrich Böll Stiftung Southern Africa is looking for a Human Rights Programme Manager. The required qualifications, duties and tasks are laid out here.
  • The Heinrich Böll Stiftung Southern Africa is looking for interns for the second half of 2010. The requirements, duties and tasks are laid out here.
  • Apply for the International Short-Term Fellowship Programme 2010 of the Heinrich Böll Foundation. Deadline is the 31 July 2010. For more information click here.
Partners Democracy
Heinrich Böll Foundation in Africa
Heinrich Böll Foundation Headquarters