Restoring Democratic and Economic Governance

Theme: Malawi at Crossroads - Enhancing Transformative Leadership through Holding Leaders and Ourselves Accountable

Covering a Period of 6 Months

Submitted : 28 October , 2013

DETAILS 1. 2. Name of Organization Mailing Address Public Affairs Committee (PAC) P/B B-348, Capital City, Lilongwe 3. Malawi Area 12/112 +265 1772692 +2651772696 +265 099 933 4445 +265 088 483 3262 robert@pacmw.org Phiri.robert@gmail.com Robert M. Phiri Democratic and Economic Governance Formed 1992 and Registered , February, 1995 Robert Phiri, Executive Director, 0999334445 Sophia Nthenda, Acting Head of Programmes, 088866278 Stella Chikombole, Program Officer, 0999517390 Enos Ganunga, Head of Finance, 0999326100 Taliona Matapa, Finance Officer, 0884171071

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Physical Address Telephone and Fax Mobile Phone Numbers Email Address Contact Person Nature of Business Year of Establishment

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Key Personnel

Executive Summary This concept aims at sourcing funds for the 3rd All-Inclusive Stakeholders Conference which falls under Restoring Democratic and Economic Governance Pac programme which is being supported by Tilitonse Fund, NCA and DCA in its various aspects . It is designed to deal with both the supply and demand side of advocacy by targeting key stakeholders at national and regional level. The core problem identified is lack of transformative, accountable and responsive political leadership in the country. Therefore, PAC is seeking funding to the tune of MK35,295,300.00 based on experiences during implementation of previous activities. This concept therefore responds to a conference (October, 2012) recommendation that That the Public Affairs Committee should mobilize the masses to start taking action on matters of national importance and this should go beyond the traditional civic education approaches. 1. Public Affairs Committee (PAC) Formed in 1992 during the Malawis political transition from one party to multiparty system of government, the PAC remains a key civil society organization in the field of political advocacy . It is registered under Trustee Incorporation Act. Composed of Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM), Quadria Muslim Association of Malawi (QMAM), Malawi Council of Churches (MCC) , Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM) and their 28 affiliates , PAC commands respect and remains the voice of the voiceless . PACs vision and mission statements read as follows: A Malawian society with internalised democratic values and practices and A interfaith organisation that promotes human dignity in the Malawian society through advocacy , civic education and conflict transformation. By Grace of God We Shall Succeed respectively. 1.1 Past activities and Issues/policy areas: Under advocacy, PAC has dealt with third-term constitutional amendment, bouncing back of former head of state, calling the past regime(2012) to account for its failures through All-Inclusive Stakeholders conference, and engaged the Head of State on issues of corruption and declaration of assets. 1.2 Progress to date under Tilitonse Fund : Last year, Tilitonse Fund supported PAC with financial support to the tune of MK101,000,000.00 depending of the rate. Issues already identified under Tilitonse Supported programme include : Quality leadership

(transformative leadership) and issues surrounding crossing the floor, Challenges surrounding Vice Presidency office, Size of Cabinet, lack of Permanent Planning Commission, Economic reforms, separation of powers, S64, Transparency and accountability, political governance, social sectors etc 2. Problem Statement Several recommendations have demonstrated that Malawi has to be transformed for the purposes of achieving common good (PAC Conference Reports, 2012). With support from Tilitonse Fund (2012), some important strides have been realised at national level for instance ,passage of the tripartite bill, declaring one constituency vacant and authorities agreeing with PAC on the issues raised. Unintended outcome observed from the process has been the increased profile of PAC as a result of support to institutional building which was anchored to advocacy programme. While this is the case, little radical outcomes have been achieved to bring transformation towards development. At political level, parties have already focused on 2014 elections rather than issues surrounding policy formulation and implementation. Each leadership changes policies to her or his advantage. This political culture has led Malawians to witness re-invented policies which fail to stir development (Chikaonda, 2012, Chinsinga, 2012). Findings from two successive PAC All-Inclusive stakeholders conferences(2012) with support from OSISA and Tilitonse Fund show that the main stumbling block in Malawi is the supply of transactional leadership rather than transformative leadership ( PAC Communiqu , 2012). The political culture in Malawi has been to stifle change even if new politicians go into the system. Each new leadership style has constantly been subsumed into the existing political tradition. And the existing system seem have been accepted by Malawians. This calls for transformative leadership through sustained advocacy and building an informed society for quality leadership. The core problem identified based on recent PAC activities is the lack of transformative, accountable and responsive leadership in Malawi which funnels in all key sectors of the economy - which is compounded by the Malawi's political culture and systems( Cook and Chisoni, 2011; Chinsinga, 2012). Malawis Current crisis The recent corruption and fraud crisis at capital hill regarding in form of looting of government funds confirms PACs findings from the previous conferences. Political responsibility and accountable leadership is lacking. The calls for a single agenda for the current crisis and development of a unified voice on recent revelations are therefore justified . This will lead to a broad based debate that will lead to checks and balances on the current looting. Without such a big single unified voice, there is a high likelihood

that the big fish will go scot free. The latter would send a bad signal to the general public to the extent that trust on the legal system would be completely eroded. So too, the restoration of moral values would also be a challenge in the years to come. The other dimension on the current challenge is lack of moral standards and integrity . The high levels of looting at Capital hill has revealed a serious deep-rooted issue in terms of societal behavior and habits. This calls upon an intervention that will underscore the need for entrenching values and morals in our society. In this regard, PAC, being predominantly faith-based , is better suited to intervene in this crisis in form of creating a forum that will be consultative in nature. Obviously, CONGOMA , Grand Coalition, Malawi Congress of Trade Union, faith-leaders , Law Society of Malawi, media, political party representatives, State officials, academia and youth coalitions will be targeted. A unified voice from these sectors will let alone guide the public to appreciate the processes. 3. Project Description Theme five of the Malawi Growth Development Strategy (MGDS) outlines the main subthemes of good governance . This project therefore fits well to contribute towards the Malawi Growth Development Strategy (II) - with a theme to restore and promote democratic and economic governance in Malawi . This activity has three component: (1) Preparatory Strategy meeting (2) 3rd All-Inclusive Stakeholders Conference ( which will include Executive Committee and Board of Trustees meeting) (3) Three Interface meeting with Head of State and other authorities. These intervention will raise voice for necessary actions at national and regional level thereby leading to institutional changes, let alone national demands. 4. Outputs The output will be defined in form of the events achieved directly as a result of the organizations interventions. Based on the foregoing, the summary outputs will include : 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 One planning meeting to examine the agenda and processes, and agreed list of delegates with attendance of 15 members Paper presentations on specific topics 4 day an All-Inclusive Conference with arrival and departure day inclusive; 15 Reporters (both Electronic and Print), Executive and Board of trustees meeting At least 100 delegates in attendance representing various sectors. 2 Rappoteurs to record proceedings and develop a Communiqu A communiqus issued to the media

4.7 4.8 4.9

3 interface/technical/Caucus meeting Final Report Audit Report

4. Project Relevance This project remains relevant given that it has recently contributed to the raising of citizen voices through all -inclusive stakeholders fora held at national level. This has led to actions at national level such as the passing of the tripartite bill and declaring vacant of one constituency by the Speaker of the National Assembly. While these have been achieved , more needs to be done to influence policies , strategies and resource allocation in the state machinery. 5. Outcomes Enhanced common understanding on the cash-gate scandal and resolutions aimed at pressuring the state machinery to remain on track will be the main outcomes. These will be beefed by raising a single voice on the crisis so that the public is guided in terms of its expectations. The major gap at the moment is that few people appreciate processes and how complex prosecution can be. Thus raising a broad-based debate in order to enhance appreciation on issues of prosecution and forensic will be crucial . In this regard, PAC being a religious institution, issues of values and morals will be underscored which is a cross-cutting issue. In the implementation of this project, PAC has many stakeholders in its implementation of advocacy programs. Below are selected the selected stakeholders.

President, PP led govt

Parliament

Academia

Traditional authorities

Faith Based org

PAC volunteer structure at district level

Internat ional Commu nity

Public Affairs Committee (PAC) Opposition political parties

Business community Civil Society Organizations

6. Proposed Overall Budget In order to implement the activities highlighted above, PAC seeks funds to the tune of MK43.080,300.00.