In a bid to equip residents with necessary advocacy tools BPRA is holding training workshops in the city’s 29 wards. Trainings are conducted in phases to accommodate six modules are attended by 25 residents from each ward. The ward trainings culminate in a graduation ceremony where all participants are awarded certificates.
Through the trainings, the association is fulfilling its mandate of encouraging members of the public to input into formulation of local policies and call for transparency and accountability among public officers. In the past residents have not been aware of how far they can go in advocating for certain issues, influencing policy formulation and resolving conflict. The association realised the essence of raising awareness among residents so that they monitor service providers and clamour for diligent service provision from an informed point of view. The gap between leaders and residents is widened when the two lose touch especially when elected leaders fail to consult residents in decision making or for input on various aspects of service provision. The trainings promote popular mobilisation of residents in pushing for demand in policy formulation amongst other things.
The trainings are targeted at local leaders from various organisations ranging from home based care givers, councilors, area representatives to mention a few of the participants. The trainings are aimed at building a strong layer of proactive community leaders who are in a position to put local authorities, service providers and public office holders to task. Six modules were compiled, courtesy of the association, to guide the training workshops. The modules focused on leadership, public policy and advocacy, documentation, community views on sources of conflict, electoral democracy and local governance. These modules are not only used to enlighten residents and make them aware of the environment that they operate in but are also used to gather information on the challenges that they face regarding local leadership, advocating for change and conflict resolution.
*See BPRA Activities for information on the up-coming training workshops and consultative meetings.
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