Strengthening of democratic practices and sustaining democratic values
Representation
Moreover it gives citizens a process to hold the government to account for its decisions, performance and behaviour.
Political institutions leadership and professional conduct can regulate and guide political representation, which is essential in creating systematic and sustainable standards for democratic representation and practices.
Political representation is therefore not only important to ensure that citizens priorities are reflected in the political direction of a given nation, but it is also a powerful accountability tool.
Making a difference
Our projects
01. Strengthening Youth’s Knowledge and Participation in Political and Electoral Processes in Kenya
02. Strengthening Political Institutions to Enhance Responsiveness Accountability and Transparency in the Electoral Cycle
03. Democracy Assistance in Somalia
04. Coalition and Consensus Building of Political Parties in Ukraine
05. Strengthening the Capacity of Political Parties to be more Inclusive, Responsive, Transparent, and Accountable
Youth Assemblies
Status
- Ongoing
Details
- Youth Assemblies is a concept initiated in Mombasa, Kenya, which engages youth to take an active part in driving peaceful, democratic change in a society prone to insecurity. The concept builds on local mechanisms for dialogue and works through consultative parliamentary sessions, where issues of concern for the youth at the grassroots are brought forward. Issues identified are presented to targeted stakeholders, and results are reported back to the youth assemblies. The work and methodology developed are unique and encourage holding the government and stakeholders accountable, youth raising their voices and taking their place in society – as well as building and encouraging a culture of democracy. Through a holistic process, avenues for youth inclusion in dialogue and decision-making as well as collaboration between youth and stakeholders are created. Currently, the Oslo Center is active in assisting two youth assemblies – Kwale Youth Assembly (KYA) and Lamu Youth Assembly (LYA). Both KYA and LYA are based on the success of the initiated Mombasa Youth Assembly and share the overall goal to support youth in identifying local issues and solutions and influence county decision-makers to find and implement actions to their long-standing grievances.
Objectives
- The aim of the program is to increase youth’s voices through confidence and capacity building and for them to see the effects and results of the issues they have brought to attention in the local communities.
Youth Assemblies
Status
- Ongoing
Details
- Youth Assemblies is a concept initiated in Mombasa, Kenya, which engages youth to take an active part in driving peaceful, democratic change in a society prone to insecurity. The concept builds on local mechanisms for dialogue and works through consultative parliamentary sessions, where issues of concern for the youth at the grassroots are brought forward. Issues identified are presented to targeted stakeholders, and results are reported back to the youth assemblies. The work and methodology developed are unique and encourage holding the government and stakeholders accountable, youth raising their voices and taking their place in society – as well as building and encouraging a culture of democracy. Through a holistic process, avenues for youth inclusion in dialogue and decision-making as well as collaboration between youth and stakeholders are created. Currently, the Oslo Center is active in assisting two youth assemblies – Kwale Youth Assembly (KYA) and Lamu Youth Assembly (LYA). Both KYA and LYA are based on the success of the initiated Mombasa Youth Assembly and share the overall goal to support youth in identifying local issues and solutions and influence county decision-makers to find and implement actions to their long-standing grievances.
Objectives
- The aim of the program is to increase youth’s voices through confidence and capacity building and for them to see the effects and results of the issues they have brought to attention in the local communities.
Youth Assemblies
Status
- Ongoing
Details
- Youth Assemblies is a concept initiated in Mombasa, Kenya, which engages youth to take an active part in driving peaceful, democratic change in a society prone to insecurity. The concept builds on local mechanisms for dialogue and works through consultative parliamentary sessions, where issues of concern for the youth at the grassroots are brought forward. Issues identified are presented to targeted stakeholders, and results are reported back to the youth assemblies. The work and methodology developed are unique and encourage holding the government and stakeholders accountable, youth raising their voices and taking their place in society – as well as building and encouraging a culture of democracy. Through a holistic process, avenues for youth inclusion in dialogue and decision-making as well as collaboration between youth and stakeholders are created. Currently, the Oslo Center is active in assisting two youth assemblies – Kwale Youth Assembly (KYA) and Lamu Youth Assembly (LYA). Both KYA and LYA are based on the success of the initiated Mombasa Youth Assembly and share the overall goal to support youth in identifying local issues and solutions and influence county decision-makers to find and implement actions to their long-standing grievances.
Objectives
- The aim of the program is to increase youth’s voices through confidence and capacity building and for them to see the effects and results of the issues they have brought to attention in the local communities.
Youth Assemblies
Status
- Ongoing
Details
- Youth Assemblies is a concept initiated in Mombasa, Kenya, which engages youth to take an active part in driving peaceful, democratic change in a society prone to insecurity. The concept builds on local mechanisms for dialogue and works through consultative parliamentary sessions, where issues of concern for the youth at the grassroots are brought forward. Issues identified are presented to targeted stakeholders, and results are reported back to the youth assemblies. The work and methodology developed are unique and encourage holding the government and stakeholders accountable, youth raising their voices and taking their place in society – as well as building and encouraging a culture of democracy. Through a holistic process, avenues for youth inclusion in dialogue and decision-making as well as collaboration between youth and stakeholders are created. Currently, the Oslo Center is active in assisting two youth assemblies – Kwale Youth Assembly (KYA) and Lamu Youth Assembly (LYA). Both KYA and LYA are based on the success of the initiated Mombasa Youth Assembly and share the overall goal to support youth in identifying local issues and solutions and influence county decision-makers to find and implement actions to their long-standing grievances.
Objectives
- The aim of the program is to increase youth’s voices through confidence and capacity building and for them to see the effects and results of the issues they have brought to attention in the local communities.
Youth Assemblies
Status
- Ongoing
Details
- Youth Assemblies is a concept initiated in Mombasa, Kenya, which engages youth to take an active part in driving peaceful, democratic change in a society prone to insecurity. The concept builds on local mechanisms for dialogue and works through consultative parliamentary sessions, where issues of concern for the youth at the grassroots are brought forward. Issues identified are presented to targeted stakeholders, and results are reported back to the youth assemblies. The work and methodology developed are unique and encourage holding the government and stakeholders accountable, youth raising their voices and taking their place in society – as well as building and encouraging a culture of democracy. Through a holistic process, avenues for youth inclusion in dialogue and decision-making as well as collaboration between youth and stakeholders are created. Currently, the Oslo Center is active in assisting two youth assemblies – Kwale Youth Assembly (KYA) and Lamu Youth Assembly (LYA). Both KYA and LYA are based on the success of the initiated Mombasa Youth Assembly and share the overall goal to support youth in identifying local issues and solutions and influence county decision-makers to find and implement actions to their long-standing grievances.
Objectives
- The aim of the program is to increase youth’s voices through confidence and capacity building and for them to see the effects and results of the issues they have brought to attention in the local communities.
Political Parties
Political parties play a vital role in strengthening democracies and are regarded as the vehicles for political engagement and representation..
They offer an opportunity for citizens to participate in democratic processes and are essential for political representation, as they are the first line of engagement between the citizens and representative institutions.
The Oslo Center contributes to the strengthening of political parties, and in turn the strengthening of democracies on various levels. When working with both the ruling, as well as the oppositional parties, we assist with the enhancement of internal structures and processes to bring inclusivity, transparency and accountability in decision-making processes.
Legal Frameworks
Legal frameworks, including international treaties, constitutions, and domestic laws, define the backbone of sustainable democracy.
A well-developed legal framework strives to ensure equality, transparency, and accountability. These are all key components in the achievement of long-term peace and political stability.
The Oslo Center assists in the development and revision of constitutions and laws regulating political parties and money in politics. Additionally, we assist in the process of operationalizing legislation through documentation such as regulations, guides, and handbooks.
Political Parties
Political institutions provide avenues for the representation of citizens, development of legislation, and implementation of laws and policy.
They also conduct elections, contribute to the creation and protection of democratic spaces and providing room for citizen inclusion and engagement. In the case where political institutions are not fully functional, abuse of power, lack of representation, patronage and corruption are more likely to occur leading to bigger social and economic inequalities.
The Oslo Center supports political institutions to strengthen democratic practices and processes through the enhancement of professionalism and accountability.
Key areas of impact
Political parties reviewed and strengthened their party structures and procedures
Published Coalitions – a guide for political parties
Mechanisms and procedures for consultations between party officials, its members and the party elected representative identified and/or strengthened
Mechanisms and procedures for consultations between elected representatives and the citizens established and/or strengthened