The aim of PSAf’s Governance and Development Programme is to increase citizens’ participation and empowerment to foster transparency and accountability in governance processes.
 
This is based on the understanding that governance is a key component in social, economic and political development. Good governance promotes proper management of public affairs or resources for the benefit of all citizens.
 
The programme is designed to empower citizens with knowledge of constitutional issues on economic, social and cultural rights in order to hold leaders accountable, create platforms to generate debate on selected constitutional issues, raise awareness on constitutional issues and disseminate constitutional information, including copies of the constitution, to the public
 
The Governance and Development programme focuses on the following areas:

Constitutional issues – We strive to hold leaders accountable by creating opportunities for dialogue and engagement regarding constitutional processes and issues within the constitution that affect citizens, especially those concerning their economic, social, and cultural rights. PSAf also generates awareness around constitutional issues among citizens and provides platforms for them to raise their voices about their constitutional rights.
Institutional governance – We conduct policy research and create space for discussion and debate with parliaments and local governments in an effort to enhance development. Providing space for discussion and debate also includes bringing citizens and their duty bearers to dialogue on accountability and transparency to promote responsiveness from elected leaders. PSAf also raises awareness on the role of key governance institutions through the different media platforms.
 
Elections and citizens’ participation – We enhance engagement between the poor and the marginalized and their leaders during pre and post election periods by creating space for dialogue and debates between citizens, media, and policymakers. Strengthening the media’s capacity to report on elections from a people’s perspective and monitoring media outputs during this period also form an essential part of this focus area.
 
Trade and aid – We support trade and aid intervention through policy research, policy dialogues, and capacity building for the media in reporting and communicating trade issues with a focus on those most affected by the policies.
 
National, regional, and international development strategies – We generate informed debate on national, regional, and international development strategies and disseminate this information to citizens, media, policymakers, civil society organizations, and other relevant stakeholders.
 
Budget monitoring and tracking – We monitor and track national expenditures on essential services, while strengthening the capacity of media and other civil society organizations to focus on budget tracking to enhance national development. PSAf also produces policy documents on budget monitoring and tracking to support advocacy for the marginalized in relation to national budgets.
 
For more information on the programme, contact Gillian Ayong on ameck98@gmail.com and ameck@panos.org.za.