Supporting Peaceful Elections Education

SFCG's elections strategy in Angola endeavors to increase citizens' knowledge of their rights and responsibilities within a democratic framework and promote greater participation in the upcoming elections in 2008 and 2009. The strategy hinges on participatory training modules organized across the country that educate citizens on local leadership, their rights as voters, as well as the ins and outs of the electoral processes.

As part of the overall strategy, SFCG has organized provincial Electoral Agent Committees in four key provinces to encourage greater participation on the part of political parties, police, civil society representatives and community leaders in free and fair elections and adherence to Angola's electoral code of conduct. These committees participate in workshops with SFCG to facilitate discussions among individuals from different sectors and address the challenges being faced in promoting peaceful elections. Based on these workshops, the Committees organize local community initiatives to further the strategy. Such initiatives have included community roundtables, radio magazines and debates, cultural festivals and soccer tournaments with local youth.

"SFCG's training asked me how I can participate in the elections; this made me think not only about the elections, but how can I be a leader on topics that I care about. I approached a group about working on HIV/AIDS and now they have invited me to speak about gender and HIV/AIDS at a workshop in Mungo in September. I am joining as a leader now, and I think that is part of democracy." – Sra. Ana Maria José, member of Grupo Linga Tchiwa Ko Manu in Huambo center