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WACSI Publications
WACSI has a Resource Center with online and print resources to enrich knowledge on development related themes
eNewsletters
MoreWACSI E-Newsletter, Issue No. 2
Dear Colleagues,
To read more on the second issue of WACSI's E-Newsletter, please click here.
WACSI E-Newsletter, Issue No. 1
WACSI has published its first newsletter. The Institute's newsletter conveys information on current and future programs run by the Institute to its readers.
WACSeries
More“Reviewing the 50+ Years of Women’s Participation in Politics in Nigeria”
Nigeria attained its independence from the British in 1960 and celebrated its 50th anniversary on October 1, 2010. Fifty years down the line the statistics of women‟s representation in politics and decision making remains abysmally poor. No woman has ever occupied the position of President or Vice President neither has any been elected governor of any of the thirty six states. In fifty years, Nigeria has had only seven female deputy governors. The highest representation women have had in the Federal Executive Council is 20% in the 2007 – 2011 Cabinet.
The highest number women have attained in the Senate is nine out of the one hundred and nine members i.e. 8.3%. Worse still, in the House of Representatives of three hundred and sixty members, there are only twenty seven women, constituting a paltry 7.5%.Out of sixty three political parties, in 2010 only one, the United National Party for Development (UNPD) has a female Chairperson.
Guinea At a Crossroads: Opportunities for a More Robust Civil Society
The economic, social and political crisis in Guinea is a source of concern for the whole of West Africa. The Guinean people are caught between hope for a new era after years of misrule and fear of how the military leaders may conduct themselves. Meanwhile, “the mood on the street is hardening against the junta”, says Richard Moncrieff, International Crisis Group’s (ICG) West Africa Project Director. “Guineans are desperate for democratic change and an end to economic misery, while security forces are ready to use lethal force to remain in control. More trouble is likely unless combined domestic and international pressure is applied to find a sustainable solution to the problem”
Research Reports
MoreGovernance and Security in Ghana. The Dagbon Chieftancy title
The Dagbon Chieftaincy crisis predates modern Ghana and its current political institutions. The crisis revolves around the two family lines, or ‘gates’, to the kingship, the Abudu and Andani families, which have pitted children from the same royal ancestry against each other in an internecine conflict for the past 200 years. A significant episode in this struggle was the 27 March 2002 murder of Ya Na Yakubu Adani II, the ruler of Ghana’s the Dagbon Kingdom (Dagomba), along with more than 40 other high-profile individuals who served and advised in the palace.
Civil Society and Elections Observation in West Africa: The WACSOF Experience
Documentation of experiences constitutes an invaluable source of information for future research on CSOs’ interventions. It helps actors within the sector learn about the factors that inform CSOs’ interventions and the strategies to be adopted, modified and avoided to enhance impact in society. An enhanced culture of documentation in the long-term reduces unnecessary duplication of initiatives, provide information on the appropriateness of particular techniques and maximise results.
Documentation of CSO’s experiences gives credible evidence of the relevance of civil society. It provides governments, donors and partners of CSOs with tangible information on the contributions CSOs make to governance and development processes.
Learning Resources
MoreLE LEADERSHIP D’INFLUENCE: Manuel pour les Femmes Africaines Maximiser le potentiel managérial des Femmes Africaines
Le leadership est un processus par lequel une personne influence lesautres pour réaliser un objectif et dirige l’organisation de manière à larendre plus cohésive et cohérente.
INFLUENTIAL LEADERSHIP: Handbook for African Women
Leadership is a process by which a person influences others to accomplish an objective and directs the organisation in a way that makes it more cohesive and coherent.
Training and Assessment Reports
MorePolicy Advocacy and Engagement Training for OSIWA Grantees in Nigeria - Training Narrative Report (September 2010)
This report highlights activities of the “Policy Engagement and Advocacy Training Workshop for Civil Society Actors”: A tailored training for OSIWA-Grantees in Nigeria held in Lagos, Nigeria, 27 – 30 September, 2010. The workshop was organised by the project partners - The West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), the Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative (LGI) of the Open Society Institute (OSI) and specifically the OSIWA-Nigeria office.
The workshop which was tailored for OSIWA grantees in Nigeria had the overall objective to enhance the ability and capacity of the grantees to engage in constructive policy discourses, interact with policy makers and influence policy formulation processes. The workshop also aimed at increasing the grantees practical skills and techniques in policy analysis, influencing and formulation, as well as in writing effective policy briefs and conduct policy research and studies.
Policy Advocacy and Engagement Training for OSIWA Grantees in Sierra Leone - Training Narrative Report (December, 2011)
The West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) with the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) organized a four (4) day Specialised Policy Advocacy Engagement training - for Civil Society actors in Sierra Leone from December 12 - 15, 2011. The workshop was specifically designed to respond to the policy influencing and advocacy gaps identified amidst Civil Society Organisations and to help them hold government accountable.
The objectives of the Training were to: enhance Civil Society Organisations knowledge of public policy networks and processes; enhance Civil Society Organisations ability to write and use evidence-based and targeted policy papers; build insight into the process of planning an effective policy advocacy campaign; increase Civil Society Organisations understanding of the policy environment in West Africa and potential entry points; and provide a platform for Civil Society Actors across the sub-region to form advocacy networks and build alliances.
Forum Reports
MoreFInal Draft - African Consensus and Position on Development Effectiveness: "Aid Reform for Africa's Development"
Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, Busan
1. We, the representatives of the Member States of the African Union, Parliaments, Regional Economic Communities and institutions/organizations, Civil Society including Women and Youth groups, Business and Academia are presenting for the first time, a common Position and Consensus on Development Effectiveness in Africa;
2. Underscoring that Africa is inspiring change through comprehensive political and socio-economic reforms driven by the shared prime values of ownership, leadership and partnerships in the transformation agenda, based on the AfricanUnion vision of “an integrated, forward-looking, prosperous, dynamic and peaceful Africa, representing a dynamic force in global arena”
African Union Comments on the 2nd Draft Busan Outcome Document on "Civil Society Aids and Development Effectiveness" (September 2011)
The following are comments from representatives of the Member States of the African Union, Parliaments, Regional Economic Communities, institutions/organizations, Civil Society including Women and Youth groups, Business and Academia, together with development partners who met at the 3rd Africa Regional Meeting, September 2011, with the aim of consolidating Africa‟s position on aid reforms and the need for a new global partnership. The discussions on the second draft Busan Outcome document took place under the umbrella of the Africa Union, consolidating the voice of African Members States and Stakeholders.
Internship Reports
MoreNext Generation Internship Report
Developing a succession plan is a strategic way of ensuring sustainability and continuity in any progressive organisation. As West Africa seeks to be the most stable socio-economic region in Africa, it needs avenues to develop and groom the next generation of leaders. These leaders should necessarily not be within the political sector but must be found in all fields of endeavour to sustain the developmental plan for the region. Therefore, in an attempt to help actualise this vision in West Africa, the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), established by Open Society Initiative of West Africa (OSIWA), created the Next Generation Internship Programme. This programme seeks to train young actors and prepare them for the future roles as visionary leaders in the region.
END OF INTERNSHIP REPORT
In this report, I define civil society as consisting of community-based organizations, traditional leaders, implementing NGOs, unions, business associations, religious organizations, independent media, student groups, co-operatives, and other associational groups. Civil society's role in decentralised and democratic governance has four major functions:
-Representing and advocating for the diversity of community interests
-Delivering services in education, health and other social sectors
-Partnering with government in development planning and promoting understanding of decentralisation
-Acting as a watchdog over government
Other Reports
MoreWACSI Pictorial Banner
The Institute commenced full operations in July 2007 with the following mandate:
- To strengthen the institutional and operational capacity of civil society organisations in West Africa to enhance their effciency, enable their effective engagement at the policy level, and promote their sustainability.
- To promote and facilitate strategic partnerships between CSOs, Governments and the Private Sector in pursuit of democracy, good governance and national development in the sub region
GLOBAL FUNDING AGENCIES DIRECTORY
This Funding Agencies Resource was developed by the West Africa Civil SocietyInstitute (WACSI) and Contains Contact Details of Over (300) Three HundredInternational and Reputable Funding Agencies. These Agencies are listed in Alphabetical Order from A to Z.This Resource Was Created for Civil Society Usage in West Africa. This DirectoryProvides the Requisite Sources for Obatining Funds for the Effective Implementationof Civil Society Interventions.
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Cette ressource des organismes de financement a été développée par l’institut Ouest Africain de la Société civile(WACSI) et contient plus de trois cent(300) contactsimportants organismes internationaux. Les organismes sont énumérés par ordre d’alphabétique de A à Z.C’est une ressource créée pour être utilisée par la société civile en Afrique de l’ouest. Le répertoire fournit les sources nécessaires pour l’obtention de fonds pour unemise en œuvre effective des projets de la société civile.
Annual Reports
- Annual Report 2010 "Sustaining Our Commitments" View/Download
- Rapport Annuel 2010 "Poursuivre nos Engagements" View/Download
- Annual Report 2009 "A GROWING INSTITUTION" View/Download
- Annual Report 2008 "Strengthening Civil Society and Building Strategic Partnerships" View/Download
- Annual Report 2007 View/Download