Democracy and Political Governance

• Background thinking: That democracy and political governance create the environment for good economic governance, corporate governance and socio-economic development, in addition to the immediate and direct impact they have on people’s lives. Major issues in this thematic area include:
• Constitutional democracy:
  - Regular elections,
  - Supremacy of the constitution,
  - Rule of law
• Political, Civil, Social and cultural rights.
  - Capacity for sustained and enforcement of these HR.
  - Access to the HR commission (the CHRGG) and the courts (e.g., the High Court)
• Separation of Powers, and Checks and Balances.
  - Parliamentary oversight and its effectiveness.
  - Independence and effectiveness of judiciary (security of tenure, access to resources, effectiveness of judicial service commissions)
• Accountability, Efficiency and Effectiveness of holders of public office and public servants
  - ensure professionalism and integrity, effectiveness,
  - codes of conduct, declaration of property, etc
• Corruption
• Rights of women
• Rights of children and young persons
• Rights of vulnerable groups, including refugees
• Prevention of intra and inter-country conflicts (policies, processes, institutions, management, resources)