Fostering Democratic Governance

Guided by the priorities of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development Framework (NEPAD) and Agenda 2025, PARPA II (Plan of Action for the Reduction of Absolute Poverty in Mozambique) defines Governance as an important element in the reduction of poverty and instrumental in achieving the development of human capital and the economy. In so doing, Governance is valued in its ability to bring services to the citizens, more than in the exercise of power.

1. Background

Mozambique’s macroeconomic indicators over the last ten years have shown significant improvements in economic growth complemented by advances in human and social development. However, the country still faces great challenges which call for effective support especially in development planning and coordination to fast track poverty reduction and promote inclusive economic growth.

Mozambique has achieved impressive economic expansion since the end of the civil war.This performance has been driven by recovery in a range of sectors, including agriculture, transport, manufacturing, tourism, banking and other services. The large-scale inflow of foreign aid has also played a key role, as has investment in a number of industrial mega-projects. Along with this performance, significant achievements in social sectors were noticeable; namely, improvements in child and maternal health; school enrollment rates; improvements in access to water; etc. Despite all these achievements, still half of the population lives below the poverty line.

The Crisis Prevention and Recovery & Environment Unit was established in 2009 to address the various natural disasters and challenges of Mozambique within a comprehensive and integrated programme on mainstreaming disaster risk reduction, mine action and small arms and light weapons control, environmental management and adaptation to climate change.

The mission of the United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV) represented through the UNDP country office is to support the development initiatives in Mozambique

• by advocating for the concept of Volunteerism for Development and Peace,

• by integrating Volunteerism for Development into development planning and programming,

• and by mobilizing volunteers.