Institute
for Governance & Social Justice (IGSJ)
- Background
Institute
for Governance & Social Justice (IGSJ) is a network of civil society
organizations, individual groups and associations that aims at promoting good
governance and balanced development in the local governance in areas of
socio-economic and political advancement by directing attention towards bridging
the gap between policy making and the common man and between the policy
promises and policy actions for better service delivery.
IGSJ
as a network does it work by carrying out advocacy on the mode, understanding
and acceptability of laws and policies passed at national level to ensure that
the voices of grass root voices are captured and included in the policy making
promises through direct and active participation and involvement of the
populace expected to abide by them vis a vis implementation and compliance.
Since
its inception in 2010, IGSJ has embarked on the set of key initiatives focusing
on; Capacity building, knowledge building, participatory research,
citizen-centric development and policy advocacy. With a combination of
training, research and consultancy, it has grounded its work with conceptual
rigor and understanding of social reality to command the strategic direction of
intervention in the local governance arena.
IGSJ adopts 3broad approaches in its ongoing
programs:
First,
it intervenes directly in the field primarily in the specific right based issues
that broadly promote citizens’ collective voices to make demands on governance
institutions to claim their rights, access justice and services, and ensure
accountable utilization of public resources in the development programs
Second,
IGSJ provides on-demand advisory and consultancy services to a wider variety of
clients nationally, regionally and internationally. It utilizes its practical
knowledge and professional expertise in various fields to offer participatory
and sustainable solutions to improve supply sides of development and democracy.
Third,
IGSJ offers training programs in numerous human and social development themes,
drawn from its rich experiences in advisory services and extensive research
projects being undertaken. Within the framework of learning for social change,
these training courses are offered in distance modes, sometimes especially
designed for a client and many times in partnership with premier educational
and JLOS institutions such as police, the judiciary, directorate of public
prosecutions and prisons as well as the local government institutions.
IGSJ
focuses on issues of promoting participatory methodologies and engage itself by
working with multiple actors in development. It also promotes participatory
democratic governance by working closely with elected representatives at all
levels, the government and civil society groups.
We
further undertake research and capacity building on variety of issues related
to strengthening civil society and enhancing participation of marginalized
groups and communities in development.
- Introduction
Uganda has come a long way to
register tremendous achievements in areas of socio-economic, cultural, legal,
environmental and political transformation especially in enhancing the tenets
of good governance and development, however; in the recent past Uganda has
experienced retrogressive trends in governance, constitutionalism, rule of law
manifested by massive corruption, abuse of human rights, particularly the
sexual and gender based violence, electoral malpractices, extreme poverty with
a widening gap between the poor and the rich and massive environmental
degradation among other. Whereas, the government has been credited for positive
reforms in legal regime, institutional and policy frame work, their
effectiveness have not yet benefited the common person at the grass root
levels.
In relation to the above, there
is seemingly evidence to show that there is a widening gap and missing link
that connects the leadership of both at the central and local government levels
and the grass root communities in addressing such issues, Therefore, IGSJ intends
to bridge the gap by advocating and
sensitizing the grass root populace about the elements of a functioning
democracy, governance, constitutionalism and promotion and protection of human
rights whereby the leadership at all levels is accountable to its citizens and
are aware that they have the rights and
obligations to a better environment in
which they live in for the current and future generations.
Different communities in Uganda
are at different levels of development due to factors ranging from illiteracy,
poverty and poor governance. This situation is made worse by corruption that
has been entrenched in all sectors and government programs. Efforts so far
employed to fight the scourge have not yielded much most especially due to
ignorance of the masses about their rights, available laws and relevant
institutions to approach for consultation when the need arises. It is the same
ignorance that some members of the public participate in corruption tendencies
such as bribery without knowing that it is illegal and is likely to impinge
development of their communities. Most people have been made to believe that
they have to pay for the services even when they are entitled to it. Extensive
sensitization is paramount.
IGSJ undertakes to form
synergies with relevant networks that work towards achieving sustainable
democracy, governance and development. It is believed that through participatory policymaking, social
policies and actions can be sensitive to local cultures and needs, and the
protection of human rights; hence fostering good governance and sustainable
development.
Achievable development and good
governance strategies cannot be realized in a society that is composed of
people who, besides being poor, are uninformed and lack basic skills about the
very issues that affect their daily lives. Yet, as the country continues to
face new and emerging challenges associated with globalization and arrangements
such as global warming, governance issues, HIV/AIDS, climate change among
others, a critical mass of populace have got to play a key role and be involved at all levels.
Public
participation and diverse social partnerships are vital for the protection and promotion
of human rights as well as good governance and development. This should not be an exclusively government affair. The public has
got to be sensitized about issues such
as; constitutional rights and obligations; sexual and gender based
violence; rule of law; environment abuse; among others. Rights awareness is
especially important among vulnerable and disadvantaged groups as well as the
State and civil organizations working with them.
IGSJ still believes that public participation contributes to policies
which respect civil and political as well as economic, social and cultural
rights. Also, policies resulting from participatory processes are likely to be
perceived as legitimate by the population. There are many ways of creating
avenues for public participation, including ad hoc public hearings, advisory boards
or formal consultative bodies.
IGSJ therefore, seeks to ensure
that all the people in its area of operation mentioned, regardless of education
levels and exposure, fully understand their rights and obligations and are, at
all times, able to defend the constitution in the quest for good governance and
development entitlements, civil and political rights as well as social-economic
rights, among others.
IGSJ also seeks to establish
centers to work as for information/ research hubs, public libraries, meetings/training
and recreation facilities.
- Vision:
IGSJ’s
vision is of a world where informed, empowered citizens actively participate in
the process of deepening democracy with tolerance towards its large numbers and
diversity, a just society where human rights and rule of law are respected,
human dignity is respected and human development is facilitated to benefit the
underprivileged.
IGSJ’s
Vision of a desired world is based on values of equity, justice, freedom, peace
and solidarity with a philosophy, knowledge is not only power until it’s
applied-that takes forward all its actions.
4. Mission
The
mission of IGSJ is to work towards the promotion of policies, institutions and
capacities that strengthens the voices against marginalization of grass root
communities and increase the participation of the marginalized in the society. People’s
voices and expressions input into their life chances as it avows principles of
dialogue, consultation, consensus, and popular consent in decision making and
public policies is a key factor in working towards achieving balanced
development in all sectors both private and public.
The
idea is ultimately to improve their socio-economic status through democratic
governance. IGSJ’s mission is to reach out through such governance to everyone
in society and to ease his/her participation in the governance process. The
community should be able to hold their leaders accountable for their decisions
and actions at all times, hence promoting good governance and balanced
development in all the regions of the country.
5. Objectives
(i)
To promote equality, opportunity and the rule of law
by advocating for access to Justice, Human Rights, fighting corruption and the
Right to Development;
(ii)
To
promote public awareness on all government programs/processes and recognition
that transparent, responsible, accountable and participatory government,
responsive to the needs and aspirations of peoples is the foundation good
governance rests;
(iii)
To
offer legal services to the needy and the vulnerable including arbitration and
mediation in inter- tribal conflicts.
(iv)
To
set up research/information centers that will enable the use of evidence based
approach to facilitate informed debates/discussion, dialogue on governance and
developmental issues.
6. Targeted Groups
These groups include the marginalized especially
the women and Orphans and other vulnerable children (OVC), Local Leaders, local
communities, youth, women, religious & cultural leaders, media, community
based organizations, private sector, Justice Law and Order Sector (JLOS), and
the students.
Citizens’
rights and responsibilities are nurtured through a balanced engagement between
authority and accountability. A harmony between economic and social development
for the targeted groups is sought in an eco-friendly manner where local
priorities are not sacrificed to global demands, where individual freedom and
autonomy is sustained with collective solidarity.
7. Project Areas:
a) Deepening
Local Democratic Governance through Social Accountability
One of the fundamental tenets of democracy is
active citizenship- a form of citizenship with rights and obligation not only
conferred upon by the democratic government/state but also practiced by the
citizens. Democratic governance assumes engaged citizenry which demand
transparency and accountability from the governance institutions and the latter
reciprocate by responding to such demands. However, despite quite impressive
quantitative progress on the electoral democracy in the country, the qualities
of democracy and democratic governance are less impressive.
The
project aims to:
I.
Enhance
the qualities of democracy in local governance institutions for improving the
provision of basic services to the most marginalized communities
II.
Address
the deficits of democratic practices particularly participation, transparency
and accountability mechanisms due to which these institutions often to deliver
services effectively and equitably. The program further focuses on enhancing
organized civic actions and participation through mobilization, capacity
building, campaigns and participatory monitoring in ensuring accountability.
Expected
outcomes:
I.
Enhanced
capacities of marginalized communities and groups to engage in regular,
sustained and constructive dialogues with local governments at all levels
through monitoring and demanding quality services
II.
Enhanced
capacities of local governments to institutionalize social accountability
mechanisms and to include needs of marginalized communities in planning and
decision making.
III.
Enhanced
capacities of local civil society organizations to engage in activities that
promote democratic local governance and linkages with practitioners of local
governance in Uganda.
IV.
The
national policies and programs on local governance will be informed based on
the lessons learned from the program with regards to mechanisms of social
accountability practices and participation of marginalized.
b) Promotion
of Access to Justice for the Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children (OVC)
8. Areas for support
IGSJ
requires political will and financial support towards the strengthening of the
Organization to increase its presence in all the regions of the country to be
able to achieve balanced development and to carry out its activities as
envisaged in their five year work plan and beyond.
9. Conclusion
Laws
and policies are ultimately intended to benefit all the citizens including the
grass root communities which, in most cases, laws and policies are passed
without their knowledge and participation but their full complacency is
expected. Let us form a synergy that
will promote good governance practices and create society where everyone is
involved in making the decisions that affect their lives. Without wide
consensus, social reform may not be sustainable.
