Regional Directors' Comment Around this time of the year, the CLGF Pacific Project Office has always been very hectic, but 2011 has been exceptionally busy. The New Year will see the implementation of new activities under the second phase of the Project as it kicks off in 2012. A lot of ground work needed to be completed before Project staff could enjoy their Christmas Holidays. In response to the general view by stakeholders to further strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of the Project Office, given its expanded mandate and activities under the new phase, additional staff are being recruited to join the Project Office in 2012. This would allow for greater interaction between CLGF Pacific and its members as well as: Improved monitoring and evaluation of project’s achievements and progress; A robust reporting and governance system; A more strategic approach at the national level in identifying, implementing and monitoring activities; and Improved planning through information sharing The Project Office is set to embark on its various activities come 2012. With this I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have made 2011 a success and wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.			IN THIS ISSUE - Upcoming Events - Pacific Local Government Forum 2011 - CHOGM - Gender in Local Government Training of Trainers, Samoa - Pacific Urban Forum - Women, Gender and Local Governance Public Consultations in the Cook Islands - District Council of Mt.Barker Working Visit - Financial Management in Local Government Roll-Out, Kiribati - Progress on the ARIAL Programme - CLGF's experience at CHOGM

Pacific Local Government Forum 2011

In early November, the first ever Pacific Local Government Forum (PLGF) was convened at the Holiday Inn Suva, with the theme ‘Promoting Local Economic Leadership’.  The three day meeting brought together local government officials and experts from the eight member countries of CLGF Pacific together with development partners, CLGF stakeholders, Pacific members of the CLGF Board and representatives of CLGF’s major aid donors, the New Zealand Aid Programme and AusAID. The meeting also welcomed for the first time the Republic of the Marshall Islands, as observers.

The new Forum format was conceptualized during strategic discussions with members and partners in 2010 which highlighted the need to reinvigorate and expand the customary CLGF annual meetings (known as the TAP or Technical Advisory Panel meeting) to include more space for the sharing of good local government practices across the region. In addition, the fifth annual Pacific Capital Cities Forum (PCCF) was also included in the Forum’s three day program.

As part of the meeting, participants and guests were invited to witness the official launching of CLGFs second five year phase (2011-2015) in the region. The new phase, entitled the ‘Pacific Local Government Strengthening Program’ was formally launched by New Zealand Acting Head of Mission, Mr. Philip Taula. Commenting on the new phase, Mr Taula said “We commend CLGF Pacific for the consultative process undertaken to design the Pacific Local Government Strengthening Programmeâ??including through the Regional Symposium held in Port Vila last year. Such a participatory and consultative process helps to increase ownership at political and operational levels within countries, which in turn increases the likelihood that results will be sustained in the longer term.”

Mr Taula also made remarks in regards to the meeting theme saying “We are pleased to see that promoting local economic development and leadership is the theme for the Pacific Local Government Forum this year. New Zealand recognizes the significant role of local government in fostering sustainable local economic development, promoting democratic processes and human rights as well as providing serviced for local communities.”

Discussions over the course of the Forum centered on CLGF’s role in the region and where it could offer assistance over its new five year phase. Delegates were given the opportunity to share best practices from their respective local governments together with challenges and the way forward. Next year’s PLGF meeting will be held in the Solomon Islands.

CHOGM: Commonwealth leaders show strong support for local government

The Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) has welcomed the outcomes of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth, Australia, 28-30 October, particularly the strong endorsement and support given by Commonwealth leaders to CLGF’s work and the role of local government in the Commonwealth.

In their final communiqué, heads of government welcomed the contribution of CLGF, supported and upheld the role of local government in promoting strategies for localism, sustainable development and economic growth, and supported the implementation of the Cardiff Consensus for Local Economic Development.

CLGF is pleased that CHOGM agreed to the recommendations of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group (EPG) including that the Commonwealth Secretariat should coordinate its work with associated Commonwealth organizations such as CLGF, draw on their technical and other expertise, and allocate funds for which these organizations can apply to implement programmes.

Gender in Local Government Training of Trainers, Samoa

Nine national trainers and 22 participants consisting of village council mayors, government women representatives, NGOs and public servants were part of a recent Gender in Local Government (GLG) roll-out workshop in Apia, Samoa. The program was supported jointly by the Commonwealth Local Government Forum Pacific and the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development, Samoa.

This was the first time a national training of trainers (NToT) specific to gender in local government was conducted in Samoa, and enthusiasm was high.

Participants, many of whom were ‘matai’ or chiefly title holders together with members of various village councils, were able to engage in numerous gender issues particularly that of helping to increase effective participation of women at decision making levels of village councils. The workshop was delivered using participatory, adult learning methodology, which allowed for all individuals to share their views, experiences, skills and knowledge freely, thus making the workshop greatly enriching for everyone. Bringing the various stakeholders together assisted in greater understanding of each other’s roles and responsibilities and how gender issues could be promoted at village council levels.
CLGF Consultant, Ms Hamidan Bibi who facilitated the National ToT and the GLG workshop said that unlike other Pacific Island Countries, Samoa’s local government governance and activities were based within a Village Council system. 

“All individuals who hold a matai title can serve in the village council. But as far as the ultimate decision making is concerned, only the holders of certain chiefly status (and or seating at the council) of these Matai title holders (both male and female) are able to do so. Others who are also matai title holders (some chiefly and non-chiefly) of lower levels play an advisory role”.

Ms Bibi said that of the many villages and councils in Samoa, male matai title holders represented more than 90% of positions at decision making levels, while the remaining 10% were held by female matai title holders. The workshop found that, “Whilst some progress has been made towards increasing women’s effective participation at decision-making levels of the village council, there still remained several barriers particularly that of the traditional and customary bestowment of matai titles to women. Opportunities for women to hold this highly regarded title are limited, and thus representation remains at marginal levels, at both the decision making and or other levels of the village councils.

Indications are that the momentum to help increase women’s effective participation at decision making levels by the Government of Samoa, are currently working toward a 10 percent increase by 2015, which may to some extent help in the promotion of increasing women’s participation at local government as well. Read More

Pacific Urban Forum

As urban population numbers in the Pacific continue to rise, CLGF together with its partners UNESCAP and UNHABITAT brought together over sixty representatives from the Pacific in Nadi, Fiji, from 30 November to 2 December 2011 to exchange good practice and strategise on how to better mobilise action on urban issues in the Pacific

The Pacific Urban Forum (PUF) provided a unique opportunity for local government representatives to dialogue with national and urban planning officials on the key urban governance, planning and management challenges. Local governments lamented the lack of investment in critical urban infrastructure and services in cities and towns despite their pivotal role in securing the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the Pacific nations. National urban policies should set a vision for cities and towns and facilitate more effective working relationships between national and local level governments. Greater investment is also needed in strengthening local level urban planning and management capacity.

The Forum agreed that the Pacific Urban Agenda should continue to provide a framework for mobilising action both at the county and regional level, including as a guide to development partners and donors. The framework should also be a mechanism for monitoring progress by countries and facilitate greater ownership and commitment by regional leaders. CLGF together with its partners will be supporting further national level urban forums to raise awareness and progress policy development to address urban issues. Read More

Women, Gender and Local Governance Public Consultations
in the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands National Council of Women (CINCW) recently completed a series of awareness raising consultations on women, gender and local government, in eight of the ten island councils of the Cook Islands.

The objective of the meetings was to acquire a clear understanding of the status of governance on each island particularly in terms of whether or not there was an equal share of power between both genders in matters of governance and management. The public meetings were also used as an opportunity to gather information on the current perception and status of women in decision making positions as well as identifying the challenges, possibilities and benefits of increasing women’s participation in governance roles.

The Cook Islands is made up of 15 islands in total though only 10 ‘Pa Enua’ are inhabited. The ‘Pa Enua’ islands represent administrative centres and were targeted primarily because they hold seat powers in Parliament. The CINCW teams involved in organizing this exercise were able to cover the islands of Mauke, Mangaia, Atiu, Mitiaro, Rakahanga & Manihiki, Aitutaki, Penrhyn and Pukapuka. Unfortunately, due to difficulties in sea transport accessibility, the islands of Palmerston and Nassau were not included in this series of consultations.

The meetings were attended by various sectors of the community including traditional island leaders, women, youth as well as members of the respective island councils. Consultations were aided with the assistance of the CLGF Gender in Local Government training modules, which had been customized to suit and relate to the context of the Cook Islands. Participants were led through exercises focusing on the differences that can be made when women are involved in decision making, ending with a renewed emphasis on developing an environment in which young women can advance to leadership positions in island councils.

At the conclusion of consultations it was observed that the Southern Cook Island residents were more conducive to accepting and increasing the number of women in island councils and decision making structures. Conversely, the team noted strong conservatism in the Northern Cook Islands, not only among the men but also the women. Manihiki was possibly the only exception from the North.

Though numbers of women in governance are still relatively low in the Cook Islands, it is hoped that the gender in local government training program will provide a useful insight into the opportunities and benefits women leaders can bring to the decision making table. The first step is to encourage and get more women representatives into island councils before moving the momentum on to a more national level in the House of Parliament.

Visit the facebook page: Commonwealth Local Government Forum Pacific

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Women in Local Government: http://wilgpacific.org/

District Council of Mt.Barker Working Visit by staff from Kokopo/Vunamami Urban Local Level Government (ULLG)

 Kokopo/Vanamami Local-level Government in the East New Britain Province of PNG and Mt. Baker District Council of South Australia are recent partners in the PNG Good Practice Scheme. Recently four officers from Kokopo were invited to attend a short intensive training visit to Mt. Baker. The training was related directly to the project in which both partners have agreed to work on and build skill and capacity in IT and Accounting.

There have been a few working visits by Mt. Baker Council representatives including a visit by the Mayor of Mt. Baker, Ms. Anne Ferguson and CEO Andrew Stuart to commit and formalise the partnership with Kokopo/Vunamami Local-level Government.  Kokopo and Mt. Baker have quite a lot in common in terms of size and population density.

It is interesting to note that both councils are developing service centres for the increasingly large population that live outside their respective Council boundaries. Apart from IT and Accounting, the partners are working on revenue generating options for Kokopo, staff capacity building, and waste management. Read More

Financial Management in Local Government Roll-Out, Kiribati

Following the success of the Financial Management in Local Government (FMLG) Training of Trainers earlier in the year, the Ministry of Internal and Social Affair (MISA) began the roll out of FMLG training with Betio Town Council and Teinainano Urban Council.

Director for Local Government in Kiribati, Amina Uriam, stated that they expect to change the mindsets and improve financial management capacity of councilors and council finance staff, through these training roll outs.

The training covered topics such as financial planning with budgeting being a core focus area. Participants were trained on preparing budgets that both maintain expenditure as well as cater for the needs of the people.

The same training is expected to be carried out in the outer island councils in the coming months.

Progress on the ARIAL Programme

As introduced in our last e-bulletin, the ARIAL Programme is an EU funded initiative established to improve the quality of local governance in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) region.

Vanuatu and Kiribati have both recently successfully secured funding, lasting two years respectively, under the ARIAL “Emerging Local Government Association Facility (ELGAF)”, to assist with the establishment of their local government associations.
A regional training of trainers’ workshop was held in Suva, 30 November –6 December, organized jointly by the Foundation of the People’s of the South Pacific (FSPI), CLGF and representatives of the ARIAL Programme. The training was conducted by Mr. Petrus Theuniszer, recruited by ARIAL to act as Chief Trainer with assistance by regional consultants from both CLGF and FSPI.

The purpose of the training was to assist participants in learning ways to access EU funding in terms of how to read EU calls for proposals and applying for them. Concepts on Project Cycle Management and the Logical Framework Approach were also covered in the training exercise. Additionally, participants were advised and given tips on what would make an EU funding submission successful as well as possible scenarios that would cause a submission to fall short of the EU funding requirements.

It was attended by representatives from Kiribati, Vanuatu, Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands, all of whom are interested in establishing their own national Local Government Associations. Another regional training will be conducted in June 2012.

CLGF’s experience at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Perth, Australia

(Source: CLGF London)

A delegation from the CLGF attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in Perth, Australia from 28 to 30 October. The delegation was led by the Chairperson of the CLGF Board, Mayor Zenaida Moya (Belize) and included Mayor Lawrence Yule (NZ), Vice Chairperson of the CLGF Board and current President of Local Government New Zealand, the CLGF Secretary General, Mr. Carl Wright and the CLGF Pacific Project Regional Director, Mrs. Karibaiti Taoaba.

Members of the delegation also attended other events including pre-CHOGM meetings of senior officials and Foreign Ministers Meetings where the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group (EPG) report on the future work of the Commonwealth Secretariat was considered and the CHOGM Communiqué was drafted. The EPG Report highlights the need for the Commonwealth Secretariat to coordinate its work with associated Commonwealth Institutions such as CLGF such as CLGF to avoid duplication of work and save costs. It also recommends the allocation of funds by the Secretariat which could be accessed by its associated Institutions to support programmes they implement under their specific areas of competency.
The Communiqué included a text that made reference to the outcome of the Cardiff consensus and the important contribution of Local Government in local economic development.

The delegation met with many dignitaries from around the Commonwealth and took the opportunity to promote and showcase CLGF work especially in the Pacific region. The achievements of CLGF were also discussed at bilateral meetings with donors and countries attending the CHOGM, and prospects for new partnerships were also pursued.

The Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) hosted a reception for the CLGF delegation during which they indicated their interest to engage with CLGF on the Good Practice Scheme (GPS) in Asia, Africa and the Pacific. It was agreed that WALGA would now be included in future CLGF GPS.

For more information on CHOGM: http://www.thecommonwealth.org/subhomepage/33247/

Papua New Guinea Gender Awareness & Advocacy Workshop

As contemporary Papua New Guinea (PNG) goes through a period of change, the introduction of gender equality and its related issues is also becoming a relatively new concept for many Papua New Guineans. This is especially so in a society where traditional culture often treats and accepts women as subordinates. This visible inequality has been causing a number of challenges which must be addressed at both the policy and government levels.

As part of efforts to raise awareness and to advocate on issues of gender in local and national level governments, a workshop was held last October in Port Moresby. It was facilitated by Mr. Gevo Mabone, Assistant Director, Program Management, DPLGA and Ms. Jenny Kidu, First Assistant Secretary Gender and Development and Human Rights, DFCD. A presentation was also made by CLGF relating to its Gender in Local Government program, by Project Officer, Mr. Ted Lulu. The workshop brought together staff of the Department of Provincial and Local-level Government Affairs (DPLGA) and the Department for Community Development (DFCD) as well as a team from the National Council of Women.

Over recent months, the DFCD and the DPLGA have been in discussion regarding their roles as responsible government departments in dealing with gender issues and how they are affecting society in modern day PNG. The workshop was used as a way to gauge the views of staff from the two departments as well as to try and map a way forward to include gender in policies and in the government system. The two departments also outlined legal mandates and policies that are either already in place or in the process of being developed in order to address these evolving gender issues.

An example of one such policy discussed was the National Women and Gender Equality Policy, which has been developed for 2011-2015. It came about as a result of the government's support in fulfilling its constitutional duties and commitment in improving the status of women in PNG. The objective of the policy will be to facilitate the development and implementation of gender equality and women's advancement programs. These programs will be founded on the principles of equality of all persons, particularly between men and women, as enshrined in the Constitution of PNG. The guiding principles of the policy are: Empowerment, Ownership, Equality & Participation, Morality & Ethics, Partnership and Cultural Foundations. Its priority areas are: Gender based violence, Health, HIV/AIDS, Education &Training, Cultural norms & traditions, Women's economic empowerment, Employment opportunities and conditions, Decision making, Political participation and Agriculture(Market opportunities and Environment). Additionally, the policy will also seek to address and provide assistance to women in decision making roles at different levels of government, together with emphasizing the role of the National Council of Women in implementing the policy.

At the conclusion of the workshop it was agreed that the first way forward would be to increase the participation of women at all levels of government, that is, national, provincial, district and local-level governments and wards. There are already various programs, policies and legislation in PNG that have stipulated to allow for women's participation, the most noteworthy being the recently passed Bill that will reserve 22 seats for women in Parliament.

Among the many other views expressed for moving forward, it was also agreed that the awareness and advocacy workshop was an important avenue for strategizing and collaborating with development partners in implementing some of the gender in local government concepts into national programs. It is expected that it is these national programs that will possibly make the biggest difference in PNG society's views towards the topic of gender.