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REDET promotes civic awareness
2005-07-24 07:25:52
By Nasser Kigwangallah
President Benjamin Mkapa opened the 13th Conference on the State of Politics in Tanzania, at the Nkrumah Hall of the University of Dar es Salaam last week.
The conference was organised by the Department of Political Science and Public Administration of the University of Dar es Salaam through its Research and Education for Democracy in Tanzania (REDET) programme.
According to Professor Rwekaza Mukandala, the REDET Executive Director, the major theme of the conference was; the third phase government and its legacy.
’’Many issues were discussed at the conference which included Economic Development and Poverty Reduction in the Third Phase government; Investment, Privatization and Donors;
The Achievements of Major Groups during the Third Phase Government, The Democratization Process in the Third Phase Government, Good Governance and Leadership Ethics and Peace, National Security and Regional Cooperation,’’ the professor said.
According to the don, the choice of the themes fits well into the contemporary social, economic and political context of our country for two reasons: first it coincides with the completion of the two terms of President Benjamin Mkapa, who has been in office for 10 years.
Since the country is set for the third multiparty elections that will bring in a new president in November, this year, REDET found it relevant to analyze the achievements of the outgoing government, he added.
Secondly, Tanzania has been undertaking major reforms ranging from economic adjustment to consolidation of democracy, and from public service reorganization to entrenchment of good governance.
The effects of all these reforms need to be evaluated in an open forum like the State of Politics Conference.
REDET has been organizing State of Politics Conferences every year since 1993.
The previous conferences were dominated by discussions on democratic transition, and especially the emerging of a new pluralistic culture, building of citizen’s political competence, the levelling of the political ground in Tanzania and resolution and management of conflicts.
Apart from distinguished scholars, among the high profile people who presented papers at the 13th conference were Justice Robert Kisanga from the Commission of Human Rights and Good Governance, Justice William Maina from the Secretariat of Public Leadership Ethics, the Permanent Secretary in the President’s Office (Public Service), Joseph Rugumyamheto and the Director of the Tanzania Investment Centre, Samuel Sitta.
The Political Science and Public Administration of the University of Dar es Salaam in 1992, REDET has been striving to contribute to Tanzania’s democratisation process through research, documentation and educational interventions.
A number of significant contributions have been made over the last ten years.
These include a continuous civic education programme conveyed through a monthly newspaper Sauti ya Demokrasia, Radio and TV, which have greatly helped to sensitise the general public on key issues of multiparty politics in Tanzania.
REDET has also established discussion fora in 16 districts to provide opportunities for convergence of officials and opinion leaders at the local level to discuss issues of a divisive nature and arrive at democratic decisions.
Additional discussion fora are to be established in Mwanza, Lindi, Kigoma, Morogoro, Tanga and Rukwa regions as soon as arrangements are completed.
The fora usually climax in a national Annual State of Politics Conference, which provides an opportunity for key political players across the political divide to share views and discuss sensitive issues on neutral grounds.
The 13th State of Politics Conference brought together over 300 participants from all parts of Tanzania and from all walks of life and shades of opinion, including members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of political parties, NGOs, trade unions, government agencies, religious groups and academics.
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