Building Democracy and Governance

• Overview
• Objectives
• Activities
• Outputs
  
  
  

Overview

This project is the fourth phase of the USAID-funded Democracy and Governance program that was initiated in 1997 and targeted towards Nigerian adults of voting age (18+). During the program's implementation, JHU/PCS played an important role in supporting Nigeria's transition to democracy through strategic communication interventions designed to inform and motivate Nigerians (particularly women) to participate in building a civil society in Nigeria. The overarching goal of the earlier phases of the Democracy and Governance program was to strengthen civil society's contribution to democracy and good governance by promoting women's political empowerment and participation, democratic participation, and respect for fundamental human rights and civic responsibility. With Phase IV, JHU/PCS built on the gains of the first three phases and worked with a number of NGOs to achieve its objectives. The Phase IV activities encompassed four broad areas: a national mass media campaign, media advocacy, capacity building, and NGO networking. These activities were implemented in 12 Nigerian states (Lagos, Oyo, Kaduna, Kano, Nassarawa, Bauchi, Enugu, Abia, Sokoto, Niger, Rivers and the FCT, Abuja) so that all of Nigeria's major ethnic groups could be impacted by the program.

Objectives

Primary

• To sustain the transition to democratic civilian governance in Nigeria.
• To increase the involvement of civil society in public deliberations and government oversight.

Specific

• To increase the knowledge that Nigerians have about democratic principles and civic responsibility.
• To increase dialogue between elected officials and their constituents.
• To increase knowledge and participation of NGO partners in the legal reform process.
• To increase the number of Nigerians who participate in the democratic process.
• To increase Nigerians' recognition of, understanding of, and belief in a unifying slogan/logo that reflects support for Nigeria's democracy.
• To strengthen the ability of partner NGOs and others to design, implement, manage, and evaluate behavior change programs.
• To support and strengthen partner NGOs advocacy skills in legal reform processes.

Activities

• Production and broadcasting of radio and TV public service announcements and shows.
• Production and dissemination of print materials.
• Development and promotion of a slogan and logo.
• Media briefings on legal reform and formation of legal reform advocacy groups.
• Bi-weekly "Letters to Elected Officials" columns in six regional newspapers.
• Advocacy visits to National Assembly and community mobilization activities on legal reform.
• Awards have been instituted at the Nigerian Union of Journalists for exceptional reporting on democracy and governance and integrated health issues.
  

Outputs

• Trained 28 resource persons for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) project.
• Developed 500 integrated BCC kits for NYSC resource persons and clubs.
• Produced 12 fortnightly episodes of "Meet the Press"-type TV show in collaboration with the national chapter of NAWOJ.
• Produced 12 episodes of hour-long "Q and A" radio show by NAWOJ..
• Developed and distributed 210 copies of handbills on 10 topical issues.
• Performed 14 drama presentations.
• Established seven mini-resource centers at six NYSC state secretariats and FCT, Abuja.
• Trained 60 editors and journalists on democracy and governance and reproductive health issues.
• Trained 60 staff of selected media houses on democracy and governance and health issues.
• Produced Democracy and Governance module on legislative reporting.
• Trained NGO partners personnel on BCC practices.
• Conducted a nationally representative baseline survey.