Visit By the International Visitor Leadership Program Delegation on Transparency and Ethics in Government

On Tuesday, October 16, 2018, the Wilson Center Africa Program hosted a delegation of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) for a discussion around the theme of transparency and ethics in government. The IVLP delegates were welcomed to the Wilson Center by Dr. Monde Muyangwa, Director of the Wilson Center Africa Program.

Dr. Muyangwa opened the discussion by acknowledging that much progress has been made on the continent, and followed with observations on some key issues with transparency and accountability with which many African governments struggle. These included: leadership and public service, government organization and proper separation of power and checks and balances, parliamentary systems and qualifications of representatives, processes of accountability, freedom for civil society to play watchdog roles, ethics, and the role of the media. Dr. Muyangwa then opened the floor for questions, and the participants engaged in a lively discussion around the issues raised. Of particular interest to the delegates was concrete suggestions about how to implement needed reforms in their home countries.

This event brought 18 IVLP delegates to the Wilson Center, including leaders from a diverse range of African countries working in including government, media, law, politics, academia and research, law enforcement, and non-governmental and civil society organizations.