Huambo – Members of civil society organizations from the provinces of Benguela, Bié, Huambo and Moxico are taking part in a workshop on local government and election monitoring, an initiative of the South Africa’s Democracy Works Foundation (DWF).
The event, which aims to build capacity and strengthen democratic institutions, brings together journalists from various media organizations and representatives of political parties, with the aim of raising awareness about local government.
DW, which is represented in eight African countries, aims with the event, to strengthen civil society's capacity on the electoral process in Angola.
Augusto Santana, DWF's director in Angola, said that it was necessary to train organized civil society and journalists to learn about local authorities and be prepared for the coming elections in the country.
He said that the greater the number of citizens who know better about local elections, the more peaceful their implementation will be, judging by the efforts being made by government structures to make this happen.
Santana spoke of the need to strengthen Angolan democratic values, at a time when political parties with parliamentary representation want local elections to improve the political landscape of the country.
The training is the result of the population's lack of knowledge about local elections, following a study carried out by DWF in various regions of the country, hence the need to multiply these themes in the communities, so that the electoral process can take place in a more peaceful environment.
During the training, participants will learn about the basics of elections, the legal environment, international, regional and national standards and principles.
LT/JSV/ALH/MRA/AMP
