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7th NGO Week and 17th AGM |
The forthcoming elections are very important in the country and its
success should be paramount to all citizens of Lesotho and indeed
the rest of us living here, this was said at the Official Opening of
LCN’s 7th NGO Week and its 17th Annual General Meeting (AGM) by the
Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland represented by Mr. James Atema.
“As NGOs you have a unique opportunity to ensure that people
understand this crictical importance by educating them that
elections is about themselves and an opportunity for them to ensure
that they elect the people they trust to manage the affairs of the
country” he said.
Speaking at the same occasion, LCN’s President Mr. Lenka Thamae said
the work of NGOs is of a high importance in the country and added
that it is accepted by most development actors in Lesotho that the
Civil Society Organisations are continuing to play a significant
role in poverty eradication strategies and upholding of democratic
values and culture in Lesotho. Although, at the moment there is
declining funding in the country due to different reasons, it is
essential to explore different options in which civil society will
be assisted to source out funding for their programmes.
On Wednesday (06/12/2007), LCN has organized a session for local
political parties to make presentations on “what are the campaigning
issues for 2007 elections”. Their presentation would be based in
depth on what are the poverty reduction campaigning issues for 2007
elections.
Meanwhile each year the Lesotho Council of NGOs organises Lesotho
NGO week, where NGOs are invited throughout the country to take part
in workshops, discussions and debates on issues of national
importance. This year the theme for the NGO week is “Overcoming
hurdles of 40 years of slow public policy implementation: Challenges
facing civil society organisations”. At this event, the NGOs are
expected to explore the major issues related to Lesotho’s
development, economic growth and poverty reduction strategies.
During the past year more than one hundred and fifty (150) NGOs
throughout Lesotho attended the 6th NGO Week, and the Council
expects representatives of at least two hundred (200) Civil Society
Organisation to participate this year. The civil society fraternity
considers the NGO Week as a great opportunity for Basotho involved
in development work to meet and continuously forge ways of
overcoming numerous problems encountered during implementation of
development activities as well as a time to re- dedicate ourselves
to the service of humanity.
The NGO Week is a gathering where Lesotho Council of NGOs reflects
on its own progress during 2005 and looking forward to the future.
Last year’s theme was “Getting to Good Governance: Overcoming
hurdles of Poverty, HIV/AIDS and Weak Governance”.
This thematic issues will be dealt with in depth, The trends of
Lesotho’s economic growth and social development over 40 years,
Leading an HIV/AIDS Competent Lesotho, Enhancing Civil society and
government collaboration to protect and reclaim Lesotho’s Soil,
Understanding lack of effective public policy implementation in
Lesotho geared towards poverty reduction, Enhancing the role of
Civil Society in the Decentralisation Process, Enhancing Development
aid Coordination and effectiveness in lesotho, What are the
campaigning issues for 2007 elections?, Towards a corruption free
society and Enhancing civil society legal frameworks in lesotho.
Lesotho Council of NGOs 7th NGO Week and 17th Annual General Meeting
(AGM) is held at the Lesotho Cooperative College in Maseru from the
4th -8th December, 2006.
Thandiwe Solwandle
Information Communications Officer
Lesotho Council of NGOs
Tel: 22317205/22325798
www.lecongo.org.ls
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