Civic Education Programme

Both the mass media and personal contact programmes are designed and produced in different indigenous languages, and with consultation from local and traditional authorities and community leaders. Mass media programmes are produced for national broadcast on radio and television, while print information materials are distributed through partnerships with other organisations, government institutions, and traditional and other community leaders and interest groups.

The following are some examples of civic education programmes on democracy, good governance, and human rights:

• Voter Education - The Elections Support Consortium (ESC) was formed in December 2002 by a civic and voter education campaign partnership. Implemented by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), the NID, and the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) in 2003, the partners are committed to strengthening the democratic political culture in Namibia and to promoting acceptance of a shared system of democratic norms and values. The NID is tasked with developing and implementing a mass media campaign to further the overall objective of the campaign, namely to increase public awareness of, and informed participation in, the political process. This includes increasing public awareness of key democracy principles, the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democratic system, the importance of broad and continuous citizen participation in democratic processes, and political platforms of the respective parties.
• Rights and duties of Namibian citizens - A civic education initiative including mass media, seminars, and a national essay competition on the rights and duties of citizens in a democracy.
• Street law for the youth in Namibia - A series of three volumes entitled "Law for All" was published and used to educate youth on Namibian, criminal, and family law.
• Promoting democracy amongst the youth in Namibia - A media campaign, including a newspaper insert and a national essay competition on the role of the youth in democracy.
• Multi-media campaign on people with disabilities (PWDs) in Namibia - The campaign seeks to address ignorance regarding disability and the resultant economic and social discrimination against PWDs in violation of fundamental human rights and freedoms.
• Crime Alert Project - Escalating crime, in particular the incidence of violent crime, in Namibia was addressed by this programme which created a platform for the Namibian Police Force (NamPol) and the private and social sectors to discuss and strategise crime intervention mechanisms.
• Wills, Testaments and Estates in Namibia - A campaign held in co-operation with the Law Society of Namibia (LSN) to not only inform but also encourage citizens on the importance of drafting a will. The campaign furthermore seeks to advocate for reform of the discriminatory existing inheritance laws. An information booklet entitled "Wills, Testaments, and Estates in Namibia" published in 2001 was subsequently published in seven indigenous languages.
• The Role of Trade Unions in a Democracy - The programme provides a series of in-depth national workshops for trade union leaders, key union personnel, and members regarding the role and functions of trade unions in a democracy.
• Programme to increase the Participation of Women in Political and Democratic Processes - The NID implements the programme which works to increase the participation of women in political and democratic processes by standing as candidates for regional elections, engaging in voter/civic education activities, and supporting women candidates as constituents and voters. This includes training of trainers workshops for major political parties and independent interests on in-depth campaigning, public speaking, and strategy as well as support to organisations to engage in media activities promoting the awareness of women candidates and issues.
• Multi-media campaign on violence against women and children - The campaign was launched in co-operation with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting with the objective of breaking the culture of silence prevalent in such crimes.
• Married Persons Equality Act informative campaign - The campaign sought to provide information and dispel common misconceptions regarding the content of the Act and its implications. The campaign included the publishing of a colloquial summation of the Act, posters, brochures, and a national competition.
• Strengthening Regional Democracy in Namibia - This involved a mass media campaign in co-operation with the Association of Regional Councils which included, amongst others, a newspaper insert and seminars on the role and functions of Regional Counselors.

Democracy and Governance