Senegal
Research Title
An observatory for e-local governance (The SAFEFOD Action research project)
Abstract
Rural development policies in Senegal have to a very large extent ended in results that have been mitigated by the perspective that is too production oriented, centralized management and the policy frameworks. The policy on decentralization, which became official in the mid-1990s, aims at transferring competence to local governments (rural communities, communities and regions) which have to work in a close way with the community based organizations.
SAFEFOD, with support from OXFAM AMERICA, introduced a project within the framework of the dynamics of accompanying local governments and CBOs, for reinforcement of their capacities to raise their level of participation in the local government of Barkédji. As part of this project and conscious of the necessity of a unitary and permanent framework of dialogue, an Observatory for local governance as a watch dog was set up. This consists of 5 thematic networks regrouping each twenty (20) community based organizations. This structure of dialogue is piloted by the Local Committee of 15 members made up of: networks (CBOs), representative of the State, rural council, development partners and the SAFEFOD.
The LOG-IN project complements the earlier SAFEFOD projects in Barkédji by introducing ICTs in the Observatory and assessing their effects on governance. The main research objective is to develop and assess strategies for citizen participation; modalities to achieve transparency and accountability; and programs for enhancing communication and information within the context of current decentralization program in Senegal.
What ICT tools and strategies are effective in enhancing citizen participation in rural governance within the framework of decentralization in Senegal?
Prof. Yèro Sylla
E-mail: yero@safefod.org, yerosylla@yahoo.fr
Mr. Charles Médor
M. Libasse Hane
Mr. Ahmadou Diallo (SAFEFOD representative in Barkédji).
Société Africaine d’Education et de Formation pour le Développement / African Society of Education and Training for Development (SAFEFOD),
P.O. Box 5945, Allées seydou Nourou Tall,
Amitié 2, DAKAR - SENEGAL.