Energising local economies: Partnerships for prosperous

communities

Mmasekgoa Masire-MwambaCommonwealth Deputy Secretary General

Closing Session: Commonwealth Local Closing Session: Commonwealth Local Government Conference 2011Government Conference 2011

At a time when........

• Worrying economic/natural disasters/political developments.

• Impact of local and national political agendas

• Impact of financial delivery, confidence and facilitation in delivery mandate.

• Opportunity for better coordination, benchmarking and policies.

• Theme response: Partnership, sustainability(energy), Prosperity.

The Commonwealth and Millennium Development Goals

An explicit strategy to realise

the Millennium Development

Goals (MDGs)

Gender equity

Basic education

Preventive education about

HIV/AIDS

Child and maternal health

Global partnerships

Happening successfully on the ground

different needs/different communities

freedom and flexibility at local level

stronger and more visible leadership

frameworks, systems and incentives

pubic service- investment

The Power of CLGF

• Large representative Body• Central government and

academic research• Complimentary role to

Commonwealth Secretariat• Public

service/citizen/community interface

• Endorsement by Commonwealth Heads of Government of the Aberdeen Agenda.

Yet, the benefits do not happen automatically

Policy proclamations do not implement

themselves

Commitment to good governance and

development.

Strengthening fundamentals of democracy,

consultation and engagement.

Concurrency of legislative powers, education etc

Challenges of equity, one government, socio-

economic developments, standards and

framework for delivery.

Primary building blocks Cooperative Government.

Balance of resources/ interests/ non-

compete

Financial viability: national vs local/

Consultation, Coordination, mutual

support.

Enhanced Participation in decision making

Equitable share of national assets.

Closer, constructive and dynamic

stakeholder engagement.

The challenge

How do we move beyond communiqués and

policies to concrete implementation and

demonstrated outcomes?

Ability to deliver clean, good and effective

government.

Managing expectations,

Private public partnerships, Innovation, Delivery.

The challenge

Women: Agents of Change

SG Comments and update on the EPG

Relevance to membership, democracy, development,

visibility, impact.

Greater role in conflict resolution, respect and

understanding

Next CHOGM Perth, October 2011

Vulnerability of small states, Youth, Gender, Human

rights mainstreaming.

Finally

Mobilisation and operationising outcomes Best Practice, Shared experiences Local development as driver for political

stability and governance Models for engagement and sustainability Inclusive development Last met in Botswana, Now in Cardiff,

may I guess next is Dominica. Support and engagement of Comsec.