Botswana to Host Inaugural Gaborone Democracy Lab, Positioning Itself as a Regional Hub for Democratic Dialogue and Innovation

Strategic Insights -

Botswana is set to host the inaugural Gaborone Democracy Lab (GDL), a landmark event that will bring together political and civil society leaders from over 20 African nations, as well as Members of Parliament from Germany and Brussels. The event, organized by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), aims to position Botswana as a regional hub for democratic dialogue and innovation. The FES resident representative, Mr Thilo SchOASSne, announced that Botswana has become FES Africa's Democracy Hub, housing the Foundation's flagship program.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Gaborone Democracy Lab will focus on key areas such as youth empowerment, gender inclusion, and leadership development.
  • The event will feature a long-standing Youth Leadership Training Programme, which has mentored young Batswana active in political parties, unions, and community initiatives since 2016.
  • The programme blends coaching with expert mentorship and often engages national and international facilitators.
  • FES has a long-standing relationship with Botswana's Parliament, with a commitment to democratic development in the region.
  • The current 13th Parliament in Botswana has emerged from a historic general election that ended 58 years of single-party rule.
  • Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse, has emphasized the need for the Parliament to be transformed to fully execute its mandate, citing the need to cut down on printing costs and shift towards digital systems.
  • The Parliament major functions include legislating, representing citizens, and providing oversight on government actions, as well as approving national budget.

Statistics:

  • 104 offices globally for FES, with 24 in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • 24 offices in Sub-Saharan Africa for FES.
  • FES has worked with progressive Batswana actors since 1973.
  • The Youth Leadership Training Programme has mentored young Batswana active in political parties, unions, and community initiatives since 2016.
  • The program blends coaching with expert mentorship.

Sources:

  • [1] FES resident representative, Mr Thilo SchOASSne, during a courtesy call on the Speaker of the National Assembly
  • [2] Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse.