Promoting Democratic Values through the Discussion Forum (DF) Strategy

Abstract

Following the adoption of the recommendation for a multiparty system by the Presidential Commission on single or multiparty system in Tanzania in 1992, a number of non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) have taken up the challenge of setting up a programme of education for democracy. Such a programme was presumed to be the prerequisite for a successful transition from the one-party, authoritarian system to political pluralism. The most active NGO so far has been Research and Education for Democracy in Tanzania (REDET). This programme was initiated in 1992 and is administered by the Department of Political Science and Public Administration of the University of Dar es Salaam. The Government of Denmark supports it through DANIDA. REDET aims to enhance the establishment of a strong foundation for democratic politics and democratic governance in Tanzania. Its intervention revolves around five mutually interlinked components, namely, research and publications, leadership development, civic education, democracy advocacy, and discussion fora (DF). This article focuses on the latter component and provides a critique of the DF strategy. The critique is informed by the results of impact evaluation research conducted in three pilot districts of Mtwara (Rural), Bukoba (Rural) and Pemba. Willy Komba is a senior lecturer and Head of Department of Educational Planning and Administration at the University or Dar es Salaam, Tanzania