View the PowerPoint presentation below or use the link on the left to download the written version of the report.
This resource is being showcased in the Evidence & Impact Summit.
There is need for civil society to be an influential partner with government in national social and economic development. It can only do this if it is financially and technically independent of government.
Civil Society has historically played a major role in pre- and post-independence Zambia and other nations to bring about major changes in the social and economic development of the nation. The corona pandemic, climate change and geo-political conflicts around the world have had adverse effects on the sustainability of these important watch dogs of government and voices of the vulnerable majority. Democracy is now increasingly facing major threats around the world. The world can learn lessons from the experience of Zambian civil society in evidence gathering for national M&E. To be better watchdogs of the people in democratic societies, civil society organisations need to enhance their internal management and leadership performance. They need to produce timely and high-quality evidence that holds governments and businesses to account for their uses of resources for the prosperity and wellbeing of people, and survival of our planet. To get the majority of people in a nation to participate in governance and sustainable development, civil society needs to be seen to be working for the interest of the majority in a nation. Increased participation of people in civil society’s activities will help ensure that it is seen as credible, working with them and for them. Citizens that may not be able to financially contribute to the sustainability of civil society can contribute their time, skills and in other kind. High net-worth individuals can help contribute to the sustainability of civil society by giving financial donations. It is in the interest of every citizen to ensure the survival of civil society to provide checks and balance to government and businesses.
About John T. Njovu
Author, Independent Consultant, Former Chairperson of the Zambia Evaluation Association, former Treasurer of the African Evaluation Association and Founder Member of the EvalIndigenous Network
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