Rwanda this week hosted International Conference on Democratic governance in Africa, Asia and Middle East.
The conference which took place in Rwanda’s Capital, Kigali from June 30 to July 2, attracted experts from Africa, Asia and Middle East to discuss better solutions to democratic development on the two Continents.
During the conference, experts criticised Western donors for imposing policies on developing nations and urged that imitating democratic models from Western countries unsettles governance and weakens long-term development.
Organised by Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), the conference attracted participants seeking an opportunity to learn about specific home-grown initiatives in various Countries through sharing insights on development or democratic issues, constraints and opportunities for Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Experts denounced Western Countries that impose democracies on their soil, saying it weakens progress on two continents.
According to participants at the Conference, African and Asian countries must adopt democratic models that put in context their cultures and history, rather than directly implementing those imposed or suggested by Western powers.
Stakeholders at the conference included Scholars, politicians and entrepreneurs from across the world.
Organised by Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), the United Nations and Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, the three-day conference explored constraints to good governance, as well as emerging opportunities of democratic governance.
Bulent Akarcali, a Turkish entrepreneur and a panelist at the conference, criticised Western donors for imposing policies on developing nations, arguing that directly copying democratic models from Western countries hinders governance and undermines long-term development.
“Countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia were targeted by Western powers because of their wealth in natural resources. All that the big powers want is to disrupt governance and get what they want, so they forced developing nations to implement systems of democracy that undermine the history and cultures of people,” Akarcali said adding that: “Real democracy must not be complicated and must put into context the cultural systems of countries. Europe and America are not a monopoly of democracy and they should not dictate models to Africa and Asia.”
‘Collective voice against the trend’
Wellars Gasamagera, the director general of Rwanda Management Institute, added to Akarcali’s voice saying that “There is no rule book for governance. Every country is involved in a unique process basing on its own internal challenges. Citizen’ participation is key at all stages of democracy, yet levels of participation vary according to contexts and situations,” Gasamagera undescored.
According to Rwanda’s Minister of Local Government and Community Development, James Musoni, all countries still on the trail of development should seek home-grown initiatives in order to bring about meaningful transformation to their societies.
“It is generally accepted that ‘democratic governance’ comes as a pre-requisite to the broad socio-economic development of a society. However, in order to translate a principle into tangible results, first, strong political will for good, inclusive and accountable governance stemming from the very top, is key in the establishment of effective and citizen-responsive institutions,” said the Minister.
Minister Musoni added that accountability within democratic governance has been a hotly discussed topic for decades, but practical and locally acceptable instruments for instilling good governance into the public administration must be developed and pursued.
Margaret Zziwa, the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly, told the participants that sharing good democratic practices among African states would help overcome particular challenges affecting them currently.
“Many of the things that East Africa aspires for revolve around good governance and democracy. We have diverse cultures in the region, but if we are going to achieve all our goals, including political federation, we must look at what has worked elsewhere as well as emphasise citizen participation,” She said.
The conference provided participants with an opportunity to learn about specific home-grown initiatives in various countries through sharing acumens on development or democratic issues, constraints and opportunities for Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Time to draw tangible strategies
According to Rwanda Governance Board, the conference was organised on the principle that after more than 50 years of failed development, it is time for stakeholders to plan and implement concrete strategies geared toward building sustainable communities.
The Conference ended on high as participants reviewed issues and constraints to good governance and democratic issues in developing countries, and assess different home-gown initiatives as tools of promoting good governance principles.
During their stay off the Conference, participants started a tour of different institutions across the Rwanda on Thursday, as part of learning from the Country’s journey from scratches to exemplary good governance, reconciliation and Democracy.
The first stop of their tour was at Gisozi Genocide memorial site in Kigali, where they were briefed about Rwanda horrific Genocide, its impacts to the Country and the World as well as how Rwandan leadership forged ways to overcome it and foster reconciliation among its people in the last 20 years.