Malawi NGOs meet to discuss Lake Malawi boarder wrangle, rising corruption
Malawi Non Government Organisations (NGOs) have organised an indaba for citizens to brainstorm and discuss the role of the NGOs and citizens in the country’s socio-economic development.
Under the theme ‘The role of civil society and citizens in the current political, social and economic situation in Malawi’, the proposed indaba is, among others, expected to deliberate on the thorny Lake Malawi boarder wrangle issue, the rising corruption and youth unemployment in the country.
Participants to the consultative meeting will also discuss the maize deficit and the impending Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP), next year’s tripartite elections and the role of CSOs in light of funding challenges as well as education challenges in Malawi.
The indaba will take place this Saturday, 17th August, at Pacific Hotel in Lilongwe.
One of the organisers, Bright Kampaundi, said they decided to organise the indaba of like-minded Malawians following a silence from the CSOs and the citizens on issues affecting the national development.
“Of late, there has been a deafening silence from the CSOs and citizens, and therefore, the proposed indaba seeks to carefully examine the roles of CSO and the citizens in shaping the national agenda of Malawi.
“This is premised on the understanding that meaningful development should take reckon of the citizens’ aspirations and active participation. Further, in a democracy, it is a requirement that the citizens’ interest should be the driving factor of the national development,” said Kampaundi.
He said at the end the participants are expected to come up with clear action points which they will have to follow up.
“Consequently, it is hoped that the participants will build a consensus on the above issues in terms of the CSOs and citizens’ voice on the matter, and how relevant authorities can be engaged as part of the citizen–state relation,” added Kampaundi.
