Nice calls for active citizenship
The National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust has challenged Malawians to assume active citizenship by expressing their views on various issues to ensure improved transparency, accountability and responsiveness of duty-bearers and service providers.
Nice regional civic education officer (South), Christopher Naphiyo, noted in an interview on Thursday that Malawi cannot register meaningful social and economic transformation in the next five years if citizens do not take an interest in running the affairs of the country.
Naphiyo said citizens’ capacity to express and exercise their views is critical in influence government priorities or governance processes; hence, the need for citizens to freely express themselves on matters that have a direct bearing on their livelihoods.
He said Nice has since taken steps to address governance issues at local levels and deepening citizen voices, including disadvantaged groups after noting that culture of silence and unquestioned loyalty to leadership is entrenched in the country.
“Nice is aware that not many Malawians are able to voice out their concerns. We have, therefore, brought in civic engagement initiative to improve and strengthen democratic governance from the grassroots,” explained Naphiyo.
He said in this initiative a particular attention will be given to the marginalised and/or disadvantaged groups such as women, youth, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, widows, orphans and the vulnerable children and people living with HIV and Aids so that they are able to demand improved governance.
