On 31 May 2023, the Civil Society Information Centre Namibia (CIVIC +264) hosted an information sharing and networking session for civil society organisations (CSOs) in Windhoek with the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF). The event aimed to provide an opportunity for local CSOs to interact and for CIVIC +264 to share information on the latest developments impacting CSOs at a national level. The event also served as an opportunity to introduce CIVIC +264 and its new coordinator, Mrs Melanie Markus, who takes over from Ms Carola Engelbrecht.
Welcoming & opening remarks by CIVIC +264 Board Member, Ms Carola Engelbrecht
Ms Carola Engelbrecht - who now serves as a CIVIC +264 board member - delivered the welcoming remarks. She emphasized CIVIC +264's role in keeping CSOs informed and updated on developments at a national level and introduced Mrs Markus as the new CIVIC +264 coordinator. As a passionate leader and programme manager, Mrs Markus brings with her over a decade of experience in leading, developing, and transforming organisations.
Introduction of CIVIC +264, its mandate and free services by the newly appointed CIVIC +264 Coordinator, Mrs Melanie Markus
During the presentation of the CIVIC +264 website and its social media platforms, attendees gained insights into the free services and resources available to CSOs. Ms Engelbrecht presented and updated attending CSOs on current affairs impacting civil society, such as -
- the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) process in Namibia: https://www.civic264.org.na/info-for-csos/african-peer-review-mechanism-aprm
- the Anti-Corruption Commission's National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan (NACSAP): the role of CSOs: https://www.civic264.org.na/info-for-csos/national-anti-corruption-strategy-and-action-plan-nacsap
- Enhancing Participatory Democracy in Namibia Programme/Project (EPDN)
- Framework of Engagement between Government & CSOs replacing the Government of the Republic of Namibia Civic Organisations Partnership Policy (GRN-COPP) of 2005
- Proposed Non-State Actors Network Namibia (N-SANN)
The information shared was well-received and enabled engagement from the participants. CIVIC +264's commitment to fostering collaboration and information sharing among CSOs was evident throughout the session. The lunch further facilitated meaningful interactions among attendees.
CSOs in attendance included the -
- Comrades Association represented by Tjipuro Tjipuro & Paulina Usiku
- Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN) represented by Anthony Ngabwe
- Economic and Social Justice Trust represented by Erika Abrahams
- Intergrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRNDC) represented by Josephine Kamelo
- Labour Resource and Research Institute (LaRRI) Namibia represented by Sophia Isala
- Namibia Institute for Democracy (NID) represented by Naita Hishoono, Saara Amakali, Juita Fransika & Jacinta Kasume
- Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) represented by Sunnypo Imalwa
- Namibian Organic Association represented by Eckhart Förtsch
- National Youth Climate Action Network (Youth4CAN) represented by Toini Amutenya
- Nutrition and Food Alliance of Namibia (NAFSAN) represented by Ben Schernick & Maria Kandjungu
- Positive Vibes Trust represented by Alexia Naris
- REAL DC (Radical Emancipation and Leadership Club) represented by Lloyd Hernandez Bock
- Sister Namibia represented by Ethne Mudge
- Women's Leadership Centre (WLC) represented by Nadia April
The session in the Khomas Region marks a significant step toward enhanced knowledge exchange. Over the last 2 years, CIVIC +264 has held 12 information sessions in total in the following regions: Omaheke, Otjozondjupa, Erongo, Hardap, Oshikoto, Oshana, Kunene and //Kharas with the financial support of HSF.