Since 2014, UNESCO has been implementing a capacity building programme on participatory policy monitoring. Supported by the Government of Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), this programme aims to strengthen the human and institutional capacities of governmental and civil society players in monitoring and reshaping their cultural policies through the expansion of quadrennial periodic reports (QPR).
According to Prof Mzo Sirayi, UNESCO Chair Holder, the two-day event provided a platform for exchange of experience among Eastern and Southern African countries on participatory policy monitoring processes through the expansion of their QPRs. In addition, it helped to inspire peer-to-peer cooperation mechanisms to promote mutual learning and expand South-South cooperation, in view of the next QPR submission deadline in April 2020. “This event will also present the QPR format and methodologies to support participative policy monitoring processes at country level and share UNESCO’s tools and materials for the promotion and implementation of the 2005 Convention,” he said.
Participants from various African countries showed their appreciation for the workshop and emphasised that the initiative will assist them in developing a common understanding on a participatory methodology, timeline and division of labours for the elaboration of QPR. They also emphasised that such platforms create a peer-to-peer networking and learning mechanism in order to encourage each other for the QPR elaboration, thus giving them an opportunity to learn about various capacity strengthening and research activities undertaken by UNESCO.