USAID mission director speech at launch of TAPP

Remarks of Dr. Ray Kirkland at the Launching of Pact, Inc.'s Tanzania Advocacy and Partnership Program (TAPP)

Wednesday, February 27, 2002
Pact, Inc.'s Dar es Salaam Office

Mr. XXXXX, Ministry of Finance
Ms. Sarah Newhall, President and CEO of Pact, Inc.
Invited Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

Good afternoon and welcome the launch of Pact's Tanzania Advocacy and Partnership Program?TAPP. TAPP is a two year, $4.1 Million dollar program managed by our Democracy and Governance Office aimed at providing civil society organizations in Tanzania with expert training in organizational development and advocacy. It is our hope that this will better enable NGOs to participate in people-centered development policies in partnership with the government. Pact will be engaging civil society organizations in the HIV/AIDS, natural resource management and private sectors. These sectors reflect the focus of USAID/Tanzania's country strategic plan for Tanzania.

Allow me to make a few remarks on the importance of linking democracy and governance with these critical development sectors. USAID believes that democratization is an essential part of sustainable development because it facilitates the protection of human rights, informed participation and public sector accountability. USAID's success in the other core areas of sustainable development is closely related to democratization and good governance. The particular sector does not matter, be it HIV/AIDS or environmental protection or education, public participation in policy making that affects the daily lives of ordinary citizens is essential to the successful implementation of the policies. Top down approaches to development have failed because they do not to sufficiently take into account the needs, ideas, and wishes of the people they will affect. The history of development initiatives in Africa is littered with cases of failed development policy based on top down formulation and implementation.

Recent USAID research suggests that when development projects are infused with democratic principles and approaches, a cycle of benefits accrues. The projects USAID studied not only attain better results, but also can change the ways communities go about solving problems. The study found that projects in forestland use, rural economic development, health services delivery and parents' involvement in their children's education achieved significant, and at times, remarkable results. That is what we are striving for in Tanzania.

The Government of Tanzania's commitment to engaging society in a more productive exchange of ideas is enshrined in the recently approved National Policy on Non-Governmental Organizations. To quote from the introduction of the approved policy: ?The government and other stakeholders recognize the fact that at this point in our development process, NGO's are partners in development and that an enabling environment be put in place for them to operate and thrive.? That the government recognizes the need to engage NGOs in a partnership is an important development. In fact partnerships form the bedrock of USAID's democracy and governance programs which will establish civil society-government partnerships to promote good governance.

USAID supports the Government's policy initiative. USAID provided financial support to the Vice President's Office to hold some of the zonal workshops in the policy formulation process and to print and distribute the NGO Policy to stakeholders around the country. We are glad that Mr. Mushi, the Director of the Non-Governmental Division of the Vice President's office is able to join us here today. We hope that the legislation arising from the policy is enhanced by a participatory framework that takes into account the many views of interested NGOs that will be directly affected by the legislation.

Finally I'd like to say that USAID has been appreciative of the support of the Government of Tanzania in getting this project off the ground. Through a consultative process we have agreed on what needs to be done and we pledge to continue to foster a sound bilateral relationship to help TAPP be a success for Tanzania.

Before I close, let me add that USAID is especially pleased that Sarah Newhall, President and CEO of Pact--and a seasoned development professional in her own right--is here to grace this launching and make a few remarks as it shows the commitment of Pact's most senior leadership to make this program a success for the benefit of the people of Tanzania. Sarah, karibu saana.