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Momodou
Denmark
11832 Posts |
 Posted - 17 Nov 2006 : 16:09:44
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WORKSHOP ON DEVELOPING A CAPACITY BUILDING STRATEGY FOR AFRICA
21ST-23RD NOVEMBER, 2006 AT INDABA HOTEL, FOURWAYS, SOUTH AFRICA
Workshop Schedule:
21st November (Tues)
15.00 Registration
16.00 Welcome and Introduction
Prof. Firmino Mucavele, Chief Executive Officer, NEPAD Secretariat
Representative, African Union Commission
Representative, Government of the Republic of South Africa
16.30 Keynote Presentation
"The African Experience in Capacity Building for Socio-Economic Transformation" by Prof. Adebayo Adedeji, Executive Director, African Centre for Development and Strategic Studies
Case Study Presentation: "A Case Study on the Successes of Capacity Building in Asia" by Mr Vikas Swarup, Deputy High Commissioner, Indian High Commission, South Africa
Initial Reactions and Comments from Participants
17.45 Logistical and Administrative Briefing by Organizers
18.00 Cocktail and Reception
22nd November (Wed)
09.00 "Challenges and Issues in Capacity Building in Africa: A NEPAD Experience" by Prof. Wiseman Nkhulu, Steering Committee Member, NEPAD South Africa
09.30 "Challenges and Experiences in the Delivery of Public Services" by Prof. Anyang Nyongo, former Minister of Planning and National Development, Kenya
10.00 Case Study Presentation: "Strengthening National Agriculture and Rural Development Capacities in Africa: A Case of Unfulfilled Development" by Prof. Thandika Mkandawire, Executive Director, United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)
10.30 Tea Break
11.00 "Strengthening the Delivery of Health Services in Africa: Issues and Challenges" by Dr. Lola Dare, Executive Secretary, African Council for Sustainable Health Development (ACOSHED)
11.30 "Capacity Building: The Case of Infrastructure" by Dr. Michael Mah'moud, Head, NEPAD Unit, African Development Bank
12.00 "Capacity Building for Regional Economic Communities: Emerging Experiences" by Dr. Apollinaire Ndorukwigira, Africa Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF)
12.30 Respondent on ACBF Presentation by ECOWAS Secretariat
12.45 "Capacity Challenges for Delivering MDGs" by Ms. Scholastica Kimaryo, Resident Representative, UNDP South Africa
13.00 Lunch break
14.00 Group Sessions
Group 1: Key Elements for an African Capacity Building Strategy
Group 2: Innovative Funding Mechanism and Political Support
Group 3: Modalities and Coordination for Effective Technical Assistance and Implementation of Capacity Building Strategy
16.00 Tea break
16.30 Group Sessions continue
18.00 End of day 2
23rd November (Thurs)
08.30 Group Sessions continue
10.30 Tea break
11.00 Group Sessions: Finalization and Drawing up of Recommendations
13.00 Lunch break
Presentation of Findings and Recommendations by Groups
14.00 Group 1
14.20 Reactions and Comments
14.30 Group 2
14.50 Reactions and Comments
15.00 Group 3
15.20 Reactions and Comments
15.30 Wrap-Up: Dr. H. Rukato, Deputy CEO, NEPAD Secretariat
15.45 Closing Remarks by Prof. Firmino Mucavele, Chief Executive Officer, NEPAD Secretariat
16.00 End of workshop
Capacity Building Workshop Concept Note
INTRODUCTION
It is now five years since the launch of NEPAD in 2001. Even though a lot has been achieved in the implementation of NEPAD, some challenges continue to hinder the speedy implementation of NEPAD programmes. One of these constraints is inadequate capacity, at all levels, to plan, develop, and implement projects which have been identified as one of the major obstacles to the successful implementation of NEPAD and the attainment of MDGs. There are a host of individual, institutional and systemic constraints, stemming from an overall paucity of information and training, long established but inappropriate and overlapping mandates of sectoral ministries, a project-driven focus which mitigates against long-term sustainable improvements, and a governance framework in which sectoral rather than an integrated approach to national policy development and implementation is prevalent.
As per the guidance received from the Heads of State, significant efforts have been put into building the capacity of regional economic communities (RECs) for the implementation of NEPAD. Even though these efforts are beginning to bear fruit, there is also now a recognition that the issue of capacity building has to be approached in a holistic and coherent manner, to include national, regional, and continental governance structures, as well as institutions and stakeholders that play a critical role in development. Confining capacity building to RECs alone will not deliver the desired results for full implementation of NEPAD. The continent's urgent needs for development and implementation of short term and specific programmes have previously diverted attention from the development of a long-term strategy of capacity development. It is also recognized that capacity building is a long-term process requiring a systemic approach and both effective demand and supply for improved public sector performance. The need therefore to set broad strategic frameworks for identifying long-term capacity building needs is paramount.
Investments required are certainly significant, and their fruits will only be harvested in the long term. However, this approach remains the only guarantor of the capacities necessary for Africa's sustainable development. Further, capacity development in Africa requires parallel actions at the national, regional and continental levels in order to achieve long lasting results as well as retain these capacities in Africa, once they have been developed. Such a strategy should have a horizontal and vertical scope, and should be developed in an integrated and coordinated consultation process involving key stakeholders in strategic priority areas.
In this regard, the NEPAD Secretariat, with the support of the Africa Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), Southern African Trust (SAT), African Development Bank (AfDB) and UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), is planning a stakeholder workshop on "Developing a Capacity Building Strategy for Africa", to be held between 21st-23rd November, in Johannesburg, South Africa. The outcomes of the workshop will serve as input into the development of the African Capacity Building Strategy for the Implementation of NEPAD, which will be presented for adoption to the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC) in early 2007. It is envisaged that once such a strategy has been finalised, strategic programmes and projects will be developed for implementation at all levels.
PURPOSE OF WORKSHOP
To undertake an analytical review of the various past and present capacity building initiatives in Africa, with a view to identifying elements for an integrated long-term strategy for capacity building for the continent. The review and strategy development will be done in a consultative manner, involving representatives of all key stakeholder groups, including development partners, and international development/financial institutions working on the continent.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
1. Review and assess previous and on-going capacity building initiatives on the continent;
2. Identify key capacity gaps on the continent and actions required in building the requisite capacity for development;
3. Identify key elements of a strategy for capacity building for the continent, and design a process for the development and implementation of such a strategy.
OUTCOMES/EXPECTATIONS
1. Common understanding of capacity gaps and challenges that hinder development and the attainment of MDGs in Africa
2. Key elements of a strategy for capacity and skills development at all levels for the short, medium and long term achievement of Africa's development Agenda; and
3. An outline of a process towards the development, finalization and implementation modalities of a capacity and skills development strategy for Africa.
TARGET GROUPS
The issue of capacity building in Africa has been receiving attention from various international and continental institutions since the 1950's. Various institutions such as the World Bank, United Nations Agencies such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), etc, have been working on capacity building on the continent within their respective mandates. More recently, the Africa Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) has been focusing on addressing the continent's capacity challenges. However significant challenges still persist.
PRESENTATIONS
Keynote presentations will cover the following topics:
1. The African Experience in Capacity Building for Socio-Economic Transformation
2. Strengthening National Agriculture and Rural Development Capacities in Africa: A Case of Unfulfilled Development
3. A Case Study on the Successes of Capacity Building in Asia
4. Challenges and Experiences in the Delivery of Public Services
5. Strengthening the Delivery of Health Services in Africa: Issues and Challenges
6. Capacity Building: The Case of Infrastructure
7. Capacity Building for Regional Economic Communities: Emerging Experiences
8. Capacity Challenges for Delivering MDGs
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