Common use of Program Activities Clause in Contracts

Program Activities. NDI’s three subgrantees have completed with success their projects, and two of them, the Journalists Association of Angola (MIACOOP) and the Associação Xxxxxxxx Sikufinde Shalom Angola (ALSSA), are preparing their final reports and evaluations, while the National Counseling Centre (NCC) has already submitted its report. The three sub-grantees demonstrated good capacity in designing, implementing their projects and in managing the project finances and were open and supportive, with a sense of partnership and willingness to learn. During the quarter, NDI also engaged in program activities with the Law School of the Catholic University. NDI: Geographical Coverage and Number of People Reached, January to March NCC - Community Meetings Number of Participants Women Men Benguela 231 369 Xxxxxx 00 00 Xxxxxx Xxxxx 00 00 Xxxxxxx 40 171 Luanda 7 37 TOTAL 443 692 Catholic University Luanda 409 673 Survey on Constitutional Matter Responses 11 38 MIACOOP - Radio Debates Programs in Luanda 13 Programs in Benguela 1 Programs on Radio N’Gola Yetu (national coverage) 65 Speakers …of whom MPs 57 17 Callers …of whom women 93 15 Partners reported very important feedback, including that of MPs, members of the governments, NGOs, churches, communities and citizens. This feedback will be discussed in the program’s final report. Overall, NDI reached 1,135 citizens directly through the community meetings and indirectly through 79 radio debates broadcast by two independent and one governmental radio stations. Despite the weakness of Angola’s communication system, 93 citizens called during the radio programs to question and contribute to the debate. The debates involved 57 speakers, of which 17 are parliamentarians, members of the Constitutional Commission. Following is a more detailed description of each partner’s activities. National Counseling Center (NCC) The public forum program “Talk to the People, Not in their Name” enjoys a broad base of support among the Deputies who have participated in the program and among the communities in which the events have been held. Even the President of the National Assembly has voiced support for this kind of activity: “MPs’ visits to the provinces are not only beneficial, but also necessary, since they travel so little to the provinces. We have to encourage this kind of projects and reach even the municipal and local levels.” At the planning stage, staff members from NDI and NCC met as a team to decide where and when the next program would take place, and what would be an appropriate topic of discussion for that area. They also discussed which Deputies would be appropriate to invite based on the subject matter, linguistic capability and constituency. Typically one member of the team would travel to the region at least a month in advance in order to consult with traditional leaders, church leaders, NGOs, civic leaders, school principals and others about the design of the program. If the community was receptive, the team extended an invitation to the Deputies, notifying them of the precise date, time, location, and estimated audience size of the forum. At least one member of the team would typically travel with the Deputies to the event. The public meetings were the first in most of the provinces where NCC worked. During the meetings citizens most often questioned the MP about the government policies for improving their living status and ending the war. The citizens of Ndalatando seemed to agree January 17 that, for them, a true peace accord should only be reached throughout a serious negotiated agreement. “Saying that we’ll get peace through military means, will perpetuate people’s suffering,” said Mário João, a teacher in Ndalatando. His view was shared by the participants in NDI-sponsored activities. In Huambo January 20, citizens reported that a solution to the Angolan war could only be achieved if Xxxxxxx were given an opportunity to discuss a real cease-fire. Forum participants were nearly unanimous in demanding that the National Assembly engage in nationwide consultations about the constitutional process. In Benguela, citizens recommended that the Constitutional Commission set specific committees, whose mission would be the promotion of free debate and encourage citizens’ participation in the elaboration of the future constitution. In Malange and Ndalantando, citizens accused their governors of mismanagement, corruption, power abuses and prosecution of political opponents. In Malange citizens had prepared a letter, which they asked the deputy to deliver to the president, that seeks the immediate replacement of their governor. A common theme raised in all meetings was the widespread opinion that provincial governors should be elected instead of appointed. The people feel that this would be a step forward in terms of ensuring greater accountability and better management. Public Forums: Meetings between Members of Parliament and Constituents

Program Activities. NDI’s three subgrantees have completed During this quarter, NDI signed two sub-grant agreements, one with success their projectsthe Associação Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Shalom Angola (ALSSA) based in Huíla province, and two of themthe other with the National Counseling Centre (NCC) based in Luanda. NDI also extended its agreement with its media partner, the Journalists Association of Angola (MIACOOP) and the Associação Xxxxxxxx Sikufinde Shalom Angola (ALSSA), are preparing their final reports and evaluations, while the National Counseling Centre (NCC) has already submitted its report. The three sub-grantees demonstrated good capacity in designing, implementing their projects and in managing the project finances and were open and supportive, with a sense of partnership and willingness to learn. During the quarter, NDI also engaged in program activities with the Law School of the Catholic University. NDI: Geographical Coverage and Number of People ReachedIn a very short time frame, January to March NCC - Community Meetings Number of Participants Women Men Benguela 231 369 Xxxxxx 00 00 Xxxxxx Xxxxx 00 00 Xxxxxxx 40 171 Luanda 7 37 TOTAL 443 692 Catholic University Luanda 409 673 Survey on Constitutional Matter Responses 11 38 MIACOOP - Radio Debates Programs NDI assisted ALSSA in Luanda 13 Programs organizing a major constitutional conference in Benguela 1 Programs on Radio N’Gola Yetu (national coverage) 65 Speakers …of whom MPs 57 17 Callers …of whom women 93 15 Partners reported very important feedbackLubango, including that of MPs, members capital of the governmentsHuíla province. The objective was to hear from local communities their views on the future constitution. Local chiefs, NGOschurch leaders, churcheslawyers, representatives from national associations and a few opposition politicians convened for the three-day conference. The event was unique in Angola: since independence the voice of local authorities has been subjugated to the central power. The focus of discussion was the issue of land rights in Namibe, Huíla and Cunene provinces in southern Angola. For the first time, the communities were able to address a multi-faceted audience about their problems and to suggest solutions, using their own language. With NCC, more than 10 community meetings have been organized between deputies and citizens. This feedback will be discussed is also the first time since the elections in 1992 that deputies have been actively engaged in meeting their constituents. Civic Education To promote citizenship participation in Angola’s political, economic and social life, NDI sponsored the civic education projects of three NGOs through subgrants: the National Foundation for Democracy (FND), the Children Support Group (GAC) and the Organization for Community Development (OADEC). The agreements started in January and ended September 30, 2000. The three NGOs reached 8,302 people, of whom 46 percent were women. In addition, several groups carried out the civic education program on a voluntary basis, among them Horizonte, the National Counseling Centre, Xxxx Humanos, and the human rights groups of Prenda, Sao Paulo and Fatima. They trained an additional 4,824 citizens, of whom 49 percent were women. Each organization’s civic education projects are describe in the program’s final following subsections. Detailed information about participants is found in Section V. of this report. OverallIn response to a request from an NGO based in Bengo province, NDI reached 1,135 also trained 19 civic trainers, of whom three were women. Due to concerns about security, the programs were conducted exclusively in urban and peri- urban areas. Representative of the Angolan reality, most of the beneficiaries had very limited education, which posed a challenge in terms of their capacity to absorb the content of the civic material. FND Following delays in the processing of subgrant documentation, FND implemented its program in two months with 18 trainers. FND’s program focused on strengthening citizens’ skills in standing up for their rights to fight authoritarian abuses. GAC GAC was the only NGO that worked in provinces other than Luanda, with activities in Huambo and Kuito. In Huambo, the project for the first time benefited displaced people who have no formal education, which at this stage are the vast majority of the city’s population. To reach a larger audience, the training sessions were mostly conducted in Umbundo, the major language in the provinces of Huambo and Kuito, where a significant number of the population does not speak Portuguese. GAC has translated the Civic Education Manual into Umbundo, which has proven immensely beneficial; NDI is planning to fund the reproduction of the manual in order to make it available to organizations working in the area. The program has created space for political debate in a province where the war has transformed the average citizen’s relationship into one dictated primarily by a strong military presence. Due to GAC’s civic education program, it is currently possible to observe an emerging civil society capable of addressing the government on behalf of the citizens. As a result of this training, citizens directly through started to organize themselves in small groups to fight for their rights. A significant percentage of women participated. As citizens participate in civic education training and gain an understanding of democracy, they are calling for the community meetings election of traditional leaders and indirectly through 79 radio debates broadcast of local administrators. In Bié Province, after two years of heavy bombing and fighting, few believed that a civic education program could be carried out. As a result of the war, the provincial capital, Kuito, is full of displaced people and street children. GAC, in cooperation with NDI, believed that, apart from humanitarian aid, the time was right to implement civic education training and give people skills that can change their lives in a tangible manner. The education project was implemented from January to September. As in Huambo, the sessions were also conducted in Umbundo, which allowed the attendees to participate actively in the debates, giving opinions and suggestions on various issues, mainly peace and national reconciliation. The civic education project has created an emerging civil society. Although civil society is still weak, if one takes into consideration that the city was characterized until recently by two independent the preeminent presence of military forces, it is a significant change. Kuito now has a visible civic movement based on NGOs, associations and churches. OADEC OADEC worked in the municipalities of Cacuaco, Sambizanga and Cazenga, one governmental radio stationsof Luanda’s largest municipalities. Despite Ten trainers carried out the weakness project during a six-month period. As a result, groups are being organized in order to monitor police and human rights abuses, and positive achievements have been reported. In one case, as a result of Angola’s communication systemactions by these groups, 93 citizens called during the radio programs to question all police staff of a Hoji ya Henda (Cazenga municipality) police station were changed, and contribute some of their commanders are facing disciplinary processes. In another case, people wrote petitions to the debateMinistry of Education to complain about the privatization of a school that had been rebuilt with public funds but that had been given to a private group of people, including the local education representative. The debates involved 57 speakersschool was successfully returned to the community, of which 17 are parliamentariansand about 5,000 children have returned to the school Philanthropic groups Various philanthropic groups, created after their members participated in civic education programs, carried out a program to encourage participation in political and social life. The most relevant groups among them were the National Counseling Centre, XXXX Humanos and three human rights groups of the Constitutional CommissionCatholic Church. Following These groups constitute important evidence of sustainability. Although most of these groups work on a voluntary basis, there is a more detailed description strong argument to give them support to help them consolidate as institutions and improve their performance. Horizonte Group NDI supported Horizonte, an Angolan NGO based in Bengo, which is coordinating a development campaign for the province. Among their objectives is the establishment of each partner’s activitiescooperative agreements with national and international institutions to bring attention to their province. In the area of democracy and governance, Horizonte requested that NDI train civic trainers so that they could establish a civic education program. Although 68 participated in the training, only 19 were selected as trainers; participants’ limited education restricted their ability to assimilate the information presented. The civic education program would have to be reformulated in order to reach people of this educational level. This was the first time that a civic education training-of-trainers course was organized in rural areas. Horizonte is now preparing a civic education, human rights and advocacy campaign to improve citizen participation. Constitutional Process National Counseling Center Centre (NCC) The public forum NDI finalized its relationship with a new partner, the National Counseling Centre (NCC), to sponsor a program entitled “Talk to the People, Not in their Their Name,” enjoys whose objective is to promote community meetings between deputies and citizens in seven provinces in a broad base period of support four months. The preparation of documentation with NCC was easier because most of NCC’s members are former NDI civic education trainers who are familiar with NDI, and also because NCC is based in Luanda, making communications easier. The project proposes to create political space for debate among the Deputies who communities, including rural areas. Communities could directly address their representative in the National Assembly and other government officials. The program, conceived to be a multiparty forum, would involve all MPs of all political parties represented in the National Assembly; MPs would not be allowed to campaign on behalf of their parties. By having direct interaction with their government representatives, citizens can take part in the decision-making process related to the creation of a new constitution. As of December 6, 10 meetings have taken place in the provinces of Luanda, Bengo and Huíla. Meetings had also been held with communities from the Southern provinces of Cunene and Namibe. About 542 people have participated in the debates, including 305 women. The communities have been active in focusing their comments on the democratic process. Indicative of the impact of the civic education program, those that have benefited from the program tend to ask more concrete questions and among to suggest solutions to problems, whereas the others tend to be more passive and limit themselves to listing problems. Communities are not only voicing their problems, they often present solutions. In many cases they have said they are willing to pay for services as long as the government ensures that there is a provider. In Bengo, one community suggested that it would pay for health services as long a doctor would visit their health post at least twice a month. A common theme mentioned across the country has been the deep frustration with provincial governments. Most citizens have favored the direct election of governors in an effort to xxxxxx accountability to the people of the province as opposed to the president. The communities of the three Southern provinces are interested in the protection of their values and language. They insist on the use of local languages for education and public business, particularly in the administration of justice. They have said that it is a handicap to be judged in the official language, Portuguese, which a significant percentage of the population does not understand. Although it is early to assess the full impact of the program, the deputies are gaining an understanding of the need to develop more permanent mechanisms of direct engagement with the citizenry and to develop mechanisms to solve their problems. ALSSA During this quarter, NDI began work with another new partner, Associação Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Shalom Angola (ALSSA). XXXXX has been involved in civic education and in fostering citizen participation in political processes. XXX was able to conclude the subgrant agreement quickly, since the planned constitutional forum took place from November 28 to 30. In support of the project of constitutional revision, XXXXX organized a constitutional forum to debate political, social and cultural aspects to be incorporated into the new constitution. It sought to hear input from rural communities, rural leaders and other traditional communities about what should be covered by constitutional law. The forum took place in Lubango, Huíla province. For the first time in Angola, about 100 rural leaders were invited and were given space to present their views in their language -- Umbundu, Nyaneca, Ganguela, Kwanhama and Olukuvale. XXXXX provided interpreters. NDI’s Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx and Xxxxx Xxx met with Xxxx Xxxxxxxx, President of the Constitutional Commission and Secretary General of the MPLA. Xxxxxxxx stressed that he thinks that a consultative process about the constitution is premature; the process, he said, should only begin once a draft constitution has been negotiated and prepared by the parties with a seat in the National Assembly. Xxxxx Xxx stressed that the objective of the activity was to educate citizens about the process so that, when the commission presents the draft, it will find a knowledgeable population ready to provide serious input to the document. As Secretary General of the party, Xxxxxxxx has asked that the provincial representatives of the MPLA be present at the event, but, as president of the Constitutional Commission he would not appoint a representative, and the commission would not speak during the conference (15 minutes of the program had been allocated for them). XXX suggested that the commission present a brief about the process itself (fundamental principles that had been adopted, that deputies had undertaken the process of drafting the document, etc.). At first Xxxxxxxx was amenable to the idea, but he later decided against it, arguing that, if he participated in Lubango, he would set a precedent of being able to respond in the rest of the country. After meeting with Xxxxx Xxx, Xxxxxxxx stressed that, contrary to popular belief, the commission is not drafting the constitution behind closed doors, but, given that nine parties are negotiating a draft, it would be unfeasible to start any process of consultation with civil society. The experience with the press law would indicate that it pays to involve citizens early in the process, as opposed to presenting a finished product. Xxxxx Xxx was encouraged that Xxxxxxxx had not declared the event unconstitutional. Xxxxx Xxx has been threatened for his stance in favor of giving a voice to the rural communities in which the events have been heldSouthern provinces. Even XXX also met with the Acting President of the National Assembly, Xxxx Xxxxxxx, who was receptive about the conference being organized in Lubango and about work in the provinces. NDI raised the possibility of the National Assembly has voiced support for this kind funding the visits of activity: “MPs’ visits to the provinces are not only beneficial, but also necessary, since they travel so little deputies to the provinces, but Xxxxxxx declined, citing budgetary limitations. We have to encourage this kind Xxxxxxx also informed NDI of projects and reach even the municipal and local levels.” At the planning stage, staff members a scheduling conflict that might prevent some deputies from NDI and NCC met as a team to decide where and when the next program would take place, and what would be an appropriate topic of discussion for that area. They also discussed which Deputies would be appropriate to invite based on the subject matter, linguistic capability and constituency. Typically one member of the team would travel to the region at least a month in advance in order to consult with traditional leaders, church leaders, NGOs, civic leaders, school principals and others about the design of the program. If the community was receptive, the team extended an invitation to the Deputies, notifying them of the precise date, time, location, and estimated audience size of attending the forum. At least one member Three days later, official press reiterated Xxxxxxxx’x position that the constitutional journey was premature and that the presence of members of the team National Assembly would typically travel with set a bad precedent. Despite this public discouragement, about 300 people participated at the Deputies to forum, including five deputies, local government representatives, police officers, religious leaders, journalists and traditional representatives of the event. The public meetings were the first in most Nhyanecas, Kuanhamas, Nganguelas, Humbis, and Umbundos of the provinces where NCC workedof Huíla, Cunene and Namibe. During A frequently heard comment was their indignation towards the meetings citizens most often National Assembly. Traditional leaders questioned the MP about the government policies for improving their living status and ending the war. The citizens of Ndalatando seemed to agree January 17 that, for them, a true peace accord should only be reached throughout a serious negotiated agreement. “Saying that we’ll get peace through military means, will perpetuate people’s suffering,” said Mário João, a teacher in Ndalatando. His view was shared by the participants in NDI-sponsored activities. In Huambo January 20, citizens reported that a solution to the Angolan war could only be achieved if Xxxxxxx were given an opportunity to discuss a real cease-fire. Forum participants were nearly unanimous in demanding fact that the National Assembly engage travels abroad to learn from other countries and invites foreign experts but does not travel in nationwide consultations about the constitutional country nor listen to their elders. Given the short time between the confirmation of the subgrant agreement and the date of the forum itself, government contacts were made somewhat on short notice. It is unclear whether earlier contact would have softened the government’s reaction, or whether the government could have stopped the activity altogether or would have tried to manipulate the process. In BenguelaMost of the debates focused on land tenure and traditional law. Participants stressed that they were not against big landowners, citizens recommended but that they would like to see their rights and customs protected: for example, if a landowner enclosed property, the landowner should provide corridors for the cattle to move to traditional pastures and should not close off access to water. Most men favored that the constitution expressly protect traditional law, whereas women, although generally in favor, said they would like to see some of their rights protected and their treatment improved. Of great concern is the treatment accorded to widows: it is customary in the region that, if the husband dies, the husband’s family takes everything and the woman still must pay for all that she uses from her husband. Materials documenting the forum discussions will be prepared and sent to the Constitutional Commission set specific committees, whose mission would be the promotion of free debate and encourage citizens’ participation in the elaboration form of the future constitution. In Malange and Ndalantando, citizens accused their governors of mismanagement, corruption, power abuses and prosecution of political opponents. In Malange citizens had prepared a letter, which they asked the deputy to deliver to the president, that seeks the immediate replacement of their governor. A common theme raised in all meetings was the widespread opinion that provincial governors should be elected instead of appointed. The people feel that this would be a step forward in terms of ensuring greater accountability and better management. Public Forums: Meetings between Members of Parliament and Constituentssuggestions.

Program Activities. NDI’s three subgrantees have completed with success their projects, and two of them, the Journalists Association of Angola (MIACOOP) and the Associação Xxxxxxxx Sikufinde Xxxxxxxxx Shalom Angola (ALSSA), are preparing their final reports and evaluations, while the National Counseling Centre (NCC) has already submitted its report. The three sub-grantees demonstrated good capacity in designing, implementing their projects and in managing the project finances and were open and supportive, with a sense of partnership and willingness to learn. During the quarter, NDI also engaged in program activities with the Law School of the Catholic University. NDI: Geographical Coverage and Number of People Reached, January to March NCC - Community Meetings Number of Participants Women Men Benguela 231 369 Xxxxxx 00 00 Xxxxxx Xxxxx 00 00 Xxxxxxx 40 171 Luanda 7 37 TOTAL 443 692 Catholic University Luanda 409 673 Survey on Constitutional Matter Responses 11 38 MIACOOP - Radio Debates Programs in Luanda 13 Programs in Benguela 1 Programs on Radio N’Gola Yetu (national coverage) 65 Speakers …of whom MPs 57 17 Callers …of whom women 93 15 Partners reported very important feedback, including that of MPs, members of the governments, NGOs, churches, communities and citizens. This feedback will be discussed in the program’s final report. Overall, NDI reached 1,135 citizens directly through the community meetings and indirectly through 79 radio debates broadcast by two independent and one governmental radio stations. Despite the weakness of Angola’s communication system, 93 citizens called during the radio programs to question and contribute to the debate. The debates involved 57 speakers, of which 17 are parliamentarians, members of the Constitutional Commission. Following is a more detailed description of each partner’s activities. National Counseling Center (NCC) The public forum program “Talk to the People, Not in their Name” enjoys a broad base of support among the Deputies who have participated in the program and among the communities in which the events have been held. Even the President of the National Assembly has voiced support for this kind of activity: “MPs’ visits to the provinces are not only beneficial, but also necessary, since they travel so little to the provinces. We have to encourage this kind of projects and reach even the municipal and local levels.” At the planning stage, staff members from NDI and NCC met as a team to decide where and when the next program would take place, and what would be an appropriate topic of discussion for that area. They also discussed which Deputies would be appropriate to invite based on the subject matter, linguistic capability and constituency. Typically one member of the team would travel to the region at least a month in advance in order to consult with traditional leaders, church leaders, NGOs, civic leaders, school principals and others about the design of the program. If the community was receptive, the team extended an invitation to the Deputies, notifying them of the precise date, time, location, and estimated audience size of the forum. At least one member of the team would typically travel with the Deputies to the event. The public meetings were the first in most of the provinces where NCC worked. During the meetings citizens most often questioned the MP about the government policies for improving their living status and ending the war. The citizens of Ndalatando seemed to agree January 17 that, for them, a true peace accord should only be reached throughout a serious negotiated agreement. “Saying that we’ll get peace through military means, will perpetuate people’s suffering,” said Mário JoãoXxxxx Xxxx, a teacher in Ndalatando. His view was shared by the participants in NDI-sponsored activities. In Huambo January 20, citizens reported that a solution to the Angolan war could only be achieved if Xxxxxxx were given an opportunity to discuss a real cease-fire. Forum participants were nearly unanimous in demanding that the National Assembly engage in nationwide consultations about the constitutional process. In Benguela, citizens recommended that the Constitutional Commission set specific committees, whose mission would be the promotion of free debate and encourage citizens’ participation in the elaboration of the future constitution. In Malange and Ndalantando, citizens accused their governors of mismanagement, corruption, power abuses and prosecution of political opponents. In Malange citizens had prepared a letter, which they asked the deputy to deliver to the president, that seeks the immediate replacement of their governor. A common theme raised in all meetings was the widespread opinion that provincial governors should be elected instead of appointed. The people feel that this would be a step forward in terms of ensuring greater accountability and better management. Public Forums: Meetings between Members of Parliament and Constituents

Program Activities. NDI’s three subgrantees have completed During this quarter, NDI signed two sub-grant agreements, one with success their projectsthe Associação Xxxxxxxx Sikufinde Shalom Angola (ALSSA) based in Huíla province, and two of themthe other with the National Counseling Centre (NCC) based in Luanda. NDI also extended its agreement with its media partner, the Journalists Association of Angola (MIACOOP) and the Associação Xxxxxxxx Sikufinde Shalom Angola (ALSSA), are preparing their final reports and evaluations, while the National Counseling Centre (NCC) has already submitted its report. The three sub-grantees demonstrated good capacity in designing, implementing their projects and in managing the project finances and were open and supportive, with a sense of partnership and willingness to learn. During the quarter, NDI also engaged in program activities with the Law School of the Catholic University. NDI: Geographical Coverage and Number of People ReachedIn a very short time frame, January to March NCC - Community Meetings Number of Participants Women Men Benguela 231 369 Xxxxxx 00 00 Xxxxxx Xxxxx 00 00 Xxxxxxx 40 171 Luanda 7 37 TOTAL 443 692 Catholic University Luanda 409 673 Survey on Constitutional Matter Responses 11 38 MIACOOP - Radio Debates Programs NDI assisted ALSSA in Luanda 13 Programs organizing a major constitutional conference in Benguela 1 Programs on Radio N’Gola Yetu (national coverage) 65 Speakers …of whom MPs 57 17 Callers …of whom women 93 15 Partners reported very important feedbackLubango, including that of MPs, members capital of the governmentsHuíla province. The objective was to hear from local communities their views on the future constitution. Local chiefs, NGOschurch leaders, churcheslawyers, representatives from national associations and a few opposition politicians convened for the three-day conference. The event was unique in Angola: since independence the voice of local authorities has been subjugated to the central power. The focus of discussion was the issue of land rights in Namibe, Huíla and Cunene provinces in southern Angola. For the first time, the communities were able to address a multi-faceted audience about their problems and to suggest solutions, using their own language. With NCC, more than 10 community meetings have been organized between deputies and citizens. This feedback will be discussed is also the first time since the elections in 1992 that deputies have been actively engaged in meeting their constituents. Civic Education To promote citizenship participation in Angola’s political, economic and social life, NDI sponsored the civic education projects of three NGOs through subgrants: the National Foundation for Democracy (FND), the Children Support Group (GAC) and the Organization for Community Development (OADEC). The agreements started in January and ended September 30, 2000. The three NGOs reached 8,302 people, of whom 46 percent were women. In addition, several groups carried out the civic education program on a voluntary basis, among them Horizonte, the National Counseling Centre, Xxxx Humanos, and the human rights groups of Prenda, Sao Paulo and Fatima. They trained an additional 4,824 citizens, of whom 49 percent were women. Each organization’s civic education projects are describe in the program’s final following subsections. Detailed information about participants is found in Section V. of this report. OverallIn response to a request from an NGO based in Bengo province, NDI reached 1,135 also trained 19 civic trainers, of whom three were women. Due to concerns about security, the programs were conducted exclusively in urban and peri- urban areas. Representative of the Angolan reality, most of the beneficiaries had very limited education, which posed a challenge in terms of their capacity to absorb the content of the civic material. FND Following delays in the processing of subgrant documentation, FND implemented its program in two months with 18 trainers. FND’s program focused on strengthening citizens’ skills in standing up for their rights to fight authoritarian abuses. GAC GAC was the only NGO that worked in provinces other than Luanda, with activities in Huambo and Kuito. In Huambo, the project for the first time benefited displaced people who have no formal education, which at this stage are the vast majority of the city’s population. To reach a larger audience, the training sessions were mostly conducted in Umbundo, the major language in the provinces of Huambo and Kuito, where a significant number of the population does not speak Portuguese. GAC has translated the Civic Education Manual into Umbundo, which has proven immensely beneficial; NDI is planning to fund the reproduction of the manual in order to make it available to organizations working in the area. The program has created space for political debate in a province where the war has transformed the average citizen’s relationship into one dictated primarily by a strong military presence. Due to GAC’s civic education program, it is currently possible to observe an emerging civil society capable of addressing the government on behalf of the citizens. As a result of this training, citizens directly through started to organize themselves in small groups to fight for their rights. A significant percentage of women participated. As citizens participate in civic education training and gain an understanding of democracy, they are calling for the community meetings election of traditional leaders and indirectly through 79 radio debates broadcast of local administrators. In Bié Province, after two years of heavy bombing and fighting, few believed that a civic education program could be carried out. As a result of the war, the provincial capital, Kuito, is full of displaced people and street children. GAC, in cooperation with NDI, believed that, apart from humanitarian aid, the time was right to implement civic education training and give people skills that can change their lives in a tangible manner. The education project was implemented from January to September. As in Huambo, the sessions were also conducted in Umbundo, which allowed the attendees to participate actively in the debates, giving opinions and suggestions on various issues, mainly peace and national reconciliation. The civic education project has created an emerging civil society. Although civil society is still weak, if one takes into consideration that the city was characterized until recently by two independent the preeminent presence of military forces, it is a significant change. Kuito now has a visible civic movement based on NGOs, associations and churches. OADEC OADEC worked in the municipalities of Cacuaco, Sambizanga and Cazenga, one governmental radio stationsof Luanda’s largest municipalities. Despite Ten trainers carried out the weakness project during a six-month period. As a result, groups are being organized in order to monitor police and human rights abuses, and positive achievements have been reported. In one case, as a result of Angola’s communication systemactions by these groups, 93 citizens called during the radio programs to question all police staff of a Hoji ya Henda (Cazenga municipality) police station were changed, and contribute some of their commanders are facing disciplinary processes. In another case, people wrote petitions to the debateMinistry of Education to complain about the privatization of a school that had been rebuilt with public funds but that had been given to a private group of people, including the local education representative. The debates involved 57 speakersschool was successfully returned to the community, of which 17 are parliamentariansand about 5,000 children have returned to the school Philanthropic groups Various philanthropic groups, created after their members participated in civic education programs, carried out a program to encourage participation in political and social life. The most relevant groups among them were the National Counseling Centre, XXXX Humanos and three human rights groups of the Constitutional CommissionCatholic Church. Following These groups constitute important evidence of sustainability. Although most of these groups work on a voluntary basis, there is a more detailed description strong argument to give them support to help them consolidate as institutions and improve their performance. Horizonte Group NDI supported Horizonte, an Angolan NGO based in Bengo, which is coordinating a development campaign for the province. Among their objectives is the establishment of each partner’s activitiescooperative agreements with national and international institutions to bring attention to their province. In the area of democracy and governance, Horizonte requested that NDI train civic trainers so that they could establish a civic education program. Although 68 participated in the training, only 19 were selected as trainers; participants’ limited education restricted their ability to assimilate the information presented. The civic education program would have to be reformulated in order to reach people of this educational level. This was the first time that a civic education training-of-trainers course was organized in rural areas. Horizonte is now preparing a civic education, human rights and advocacy campaign to improve citizen participation. Constitutional Process National Counseling Center Centre (NCC) The public forum NDI finalized its relationship with a new partner, the National Counseling Centre (NCC), to sponsor a program entitled “Talk to the People, Not in their Their Name,” enjoys whose objective is to promote community meetings between deputies and citizens in seven provinces in a broad base period of support four months. The preparation of documentation with NCC was easier because most of NCC’s members are former NDI civic education trainers who are familiar with NDI, and also because NCC is based in Luanda, making communications easier. The project proposes to create political space for debate among the Deputies who communities, including rural areas. Communities could directly address their representative in the National Assembly and other government officials. The program, conceived to be a multiparty forum, would involve all MPs of all political parties represented in the National Assembly; MPs would not be allowed to campaign on behalf of their parties. By having direct interaction with their government representatives, citizens can take part in the decision-making process related to the creation of a new constitution. As of December 6, 10 meetings have taken place in the provinces of Luanda, Bengo and Huíla. Meetings had also been held with communities from the Southern provinces of Cunene and Namibe. About 542 people have participated in the debates, including 305 women. The communities have been active in focusing their comments on the democratic process. Indicative of the impact of the civic education program, those that have benefited from the program tend to ask more concrete questions and among to suggest solutions to problems, whereas the others tend to be more passive and limit themselves to listing problems. Communities are not only voicing their problems, they often present solutions. In many cases they have said they are willing to pay for services as long as the government ensures that there is a provider. In Bengo, one community suggested that it would pay for health services as long a doctor would visit their health post at least twice a month. A common theme mentioned across the country has been the deep frustration with provincial governments. Most citizens have favored the direct election of governors in an effort to xxxxxx accountability to the people of the province as opposed to the president. The communities of the three Southern provinces are interested in the protection of their values and language. They insist on the use of local languages for education and public business, particularly in the administration of justice. They have said that it is a handicap to be judged in the official language, Portuguese, which a significant percentage of the population does not understand. Although it is early to assess the full impact of the program, the deputies are gaining an understanding of the need to develop more permanent mechanisms of direct engagement with the citizenry and to develop mechanisms to solve their problems. ALSSA During this quarter, NDI began work with another new partner, Associação Xxxxxxxx Sikufinde Shalom Angola (ALSSA). ALSSA has been involved in civic education and in fostering citizen participation in political processes. NDI was able to conclude the subgrant agreement quickly, since the planned constitutional forum took place from November 28 to 30. In support of the project of constitutional revision, ALSSA organized a constitutional forum to debate political, social and cultural aspects to be incorporated into the new constitution. It sought to hear input from rural communities, rural leaders and other traditional communities about what should be covered by constitutional law. The forum took place in Lubango, Huíla province. For the first time in Angola, about 100 rural leaders were invited and were given space to present their views in their language -- Umbundu, Nyaneca, Ganguela, Kwanhama and Olukuvale. ALSSA provided interpreters. NDI’s Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx and Xxxxx Xxx met with Xxxx Xxxxxxxx, President of the Constitutional Commission and Secretary General of the MPLA. Xxxxxxxx stressed that he thinks that a consultative process about the constitution is premature; the process, he said, should only begin once a draft constitution has been negotiated and prepared by the parties with a seat in the National Assembly. Xxxxx Xxx stressed that the objective of the activity was to educate citizens about the process so that, when the commission presents the draft, it will find a knowledgeable population ready to provide serious input to the document. As Secretary General of the party, Xxxxxxxx has asked that the provincial representatives of the MPLA be present at the event, but, as president of the Constitutional Commission he would not appoint a representative, and the commission would not speak during the conference (15 minutes of the program had been allocated for them). NDI suggested that the commission present a brief about the process itself (fundamental principles that had been adopted, that deputies had undertaken the process of drafting the document, etc.). At first Xxxxxxxx was amenable to the idea, but he later decided against it, arguing that, if he participated in Lubango, he would set a precedent of being able to respond in the rest of the country. After meeting with Xxxxx Xxx, Xxxxxxxx stressed that, contrary to popular belief, the commission is not drafting the constitution behind closed doors, but, given that nine parties are negotiating a draft, it would be unfeasible to start any process of consultation with civil society. The experience with the press law would indicate that it pays to involve citizens early in the process, as opposed to presenting a finished product. Xxxxx Xxx was encouraged that Xxxxxxxx had not declared the event unconstitutional. Xxxxx Xxx has been threatened for his stance in favor of giving a voice to the rural communities in which the events have been heldSouthern provinces. Even NDI also met with the Acting President of the National Assembly, Xxxx Xxxxxxx, who was receptive about the conference being organized in Lubango and about work in the provinces. NDI raised the possibility of the National Assembly has voiced support for this kind funding the visits of activity: “MPs’ visits to the provinces are not only beneficial, but also necessary, since they travel so little deputies to the provinces, but Matross declined, citing budgetary limitations. We have to encourage this kind Matross also informed NDI of projects and reach even the municipal and local levels.” At the planning stage, staff members a scheduling conflict that might prevent some deputies from NDI and NCC met as a team to decide where and when the next program would take place, and what would be an appropriate topic of discussion for that area. They also discussed which Deputies would be appropriate to invite based on the subject matter, linguistic capability and constituency. Typically one member of the team would travel to the region at least a month in advance in order to consult with traditional leaders, church leaders, NGOs, civic leaders, school principals and others about the design of the program. If the community was receptive, the team extended an invitation to the Deputies, notifying them of the precise date, time, location, and estimated audience size of attending the forum. At least one member Three days later, official press reiterated Xxxxxxxx’x position that the constitutional journey was premature and that the presence of members of the team National Assembly would typically travel with set a bad precedent. Despite this public discouragement, about 300 people participated at the Deputies to forum, including five deputies, local government representatives, police officers, religious leaders, journalists and traditional representatives of the event. The public meetings were the first in most Nhyanecas, Kuanhamas, Nganguelas, Humbis, and Umbundos of the provinces where NCC workedof Huíla, Cunene and Namibe. During A frequently heard comment was their indignation towards the meetings citizens most often National Assembly. Traditional leaders questioned the MP about the government policies for improving their living status and ending the war. The citizens of Ndalatando seemed to agree January 17 that, for them, a true peace accord should only be reached throughout a serious negotiated agreement. “Saying that we’ll get peace through military means, will perpetuate people’s suffering,” said Mário João, a teacher in Ndalatando. His view was shared by the participants in NDI-sponsored activities. In Huambo January 20, citizens reported that a solution to the Angolan war could only be achieved if Xxxxxxx were given an opportunity to discuss a real cease-fire. Forum participants were nearly unanimous in demanding fact that the National Assembly engage travels abroad to learn from other countries and invites foreign experts but does not travel in nationwide consultations about the constitutional country nor listen to their elders. Given the short time between the confirmation of the subgrant agreement and the date of the forum itself, government contacts were made somewhat on short notice. It is unclear whether earlier contact would have softened the government’s reaction, or whether the government could have stopped the activity altogether or would have tried to manipulate the process. In BenguelaMost of the debates focused on land tenure and traditional law. Participants stressed that they were not against big landowners, citizens recommended but that they would like to see their rights and customs protected: for example, if a landowner enclosed property, the landowner should provide corridors for the cattle to move to traditional pastures and should not close off access to water. Most men favored that the constitution expressly protect traditional law, whereas women, although generally in favor, said they would like to see some of their rights protected and their treatment improved. Of great concern is the treatment accorded to widows: it is customary in the region that, if the husband dies, the husband’s family takes everything and the woman still must pay for all that she uses from her husband. Materials documenting the forum discussions will be prepared and sent to the Constitutional Commission set specific committees, whose mission would be the promotion of free debate and encourage citizens’ participation in the elaboration form of the future constitution. In Malange and Ndalantando, citizens accused their governors of mismanagement, corruption, power abuses and prosecution of political opponents. In Malange citizens had prepared a letter, which they asked the deputy to deliver to the president, that seeks the immediate replacement of their governor. A common theme raised in all meetings was the widespread opinion that provincial governors should be elected instead of appointed. The people feel that this would be a step forward in terms of ensuring greater accountability and better management. Public Forums: Meetings between Members of Parliament and Constituentssuggestions.