COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP TRAINING OPENING CEREMONY

Transcription

1 COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP TRAINING OPENING CEREMONY Remarks by Aeneas C. Chuma Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator UNDP Resident Representative 20 April, 2011 Great Rift Valley Lodge Naivasha

2 Political Party Representatives; Distinguished guest; Ladies and gentlemen; On behalf of UNDP I am pleased to welcome you this morning to the first series of the collaborative leadership programme. This programme aims at contributing towards building sustainable peace and democracy in the country through enhancement of leadership skills among key leaders in Kenya. The genesis for the development of this leadership programme came as a result of the 2007 post-election crisis. As the country began to emerge from the crisis and implement the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation Agreements, concern prevailed on the fragility of the country. Of particular significance was the need for greater collaboration among leaders to deal with the underlying issues to move the country forward on a positive path of peace and development. Within this context, an assessment mission was conducted to meet with the key stakeholders in the Grand Coalition Government, political parties, civil society, the faith community, media and the private business sector. This mission allowed us to hear their views, identify their interests and expectations as well as to determine their receptivity to participation in a collaborative leadership and conflict transformation programme. The assessment mission identified general agreement from Kenyan stakeholders that the lack of trust and the dissolution of collaborative relations are at the heart of the conflict in governance circles. A Winner takes all, zero-sum mentality prevails in political rivalries. There is no agreement on the rules of the game - on how power should be shared and organized. The implementation of Agenda Item 4 that 2

3 addresses the core problems in Kenya is critical to a stable and peaceful future but it is not being implemented in a timely way. Without an intervention that rebuilds trust and cohesion among key leaders, there is a limited likelihood that the reform agenda can be accomplished, or that the 2012 elections can be accomplished without violence. Although gains have been made during this period of transition with the implementation of the reform agenda, tensions between the two main parties have perpetuated. These tensions have been particularly heightened over issues such as the Interim Independent Boundaries Review Commission report, the appointments of the Chief Justice, Attorney General and Director of Public Prosecutions, as well as the International Criminal Court (ICC) process. Therefore, the need to have an intervention focused on collaborative leadership is still greatly needed and indeed timely, particularly as Kenya approaches an election year in The design of this intervention seized the opportunity created by the new constitution with a chapter focused on Leadership and Integrity. The programme recognised that the constitution only creates the hardware for accomplishing these objectives. Without a corresponding change in the software of the governance structures, including the values and principles that under guard these processes and systems the institutions will be ineffective and unaccountable. Therefore, these training programmes are aimed at strengthening capacities of existing leaders as well as developing and strengthening a broad national consensus to avoid violence in regard to the next general elections. In addition to the 3

4 collaborative leadership training for identified leaders, the programme also includes documentation and disseminating of best practices and lessons learned; development of the nucleus of a national cadre of mediators; and provision of followon support through mentors and technical analysts or advisors to assist participants implement knowledge and skills acquired, to review experience, analyse continuing challenges and develop remedial measures for dealing with them. UNDP values partnerships in order to adequately leverage on strategic niches of other organisation. Within this programme, we are pleased to be working in collaboration with the Kenya Institute of Governance, who are represented here today, as well as the Folke Bernadotte Academy, whose contributions have already enhanced the development of this collaborative leadership programme. Finally, we recognise that this intervention cannot be successful in isolation. Therefore, to supplement the leadership intervention, UNDP supports building on existing reforms and initiatives such as public service reforms; national civic education and democratisation programmes; capacity support to the infrastructures of peace in the country, strengthening the early warning and response mechanism; addressing the youth challenge; promoting national cohesion; as well as continuing to support the implementation of the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation Agreement, and more recently the implementation of the new constitution. UNDP remains committed to providing the necessary support within our area of comparative advantage to walk with the Government and people of Kenya in achievement of their aspirations for a peaceful and more democratic tomorrow. 4

5 In conclusion, I would like to wish you an enjoyable and fruitful workshop. You are critical to the future of this country. Therefore, choose to lead; live your values; be the person others choose to follow; inspire and provide the people of Kenya with a vision for the future. ASANTE SANA 5