:HOME > Democratic Governnce

Democratic Governance:

 

Governance Unit Strategy

The Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, which took effect in May 20, 2002, provides for basic fundamental rights and freedoms in a democratic and pluralistic society. It mandates a classic democratic state with a semi-presidential regime: the country’s “sovereignty rests with the people” and the state is manifested in four separate “organs of sovereignty” providing essential checks and balances, safeguarding citizens’ rights, and the separation of powers. These constitutional “Organs of Sovereignty” are the President of State, the National Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary.

UNDP Strategic approach to democratic governance in Timor-Leste is aligned with the constitutional separation and balance of powers. UNDP builds capacities of the four organs of sovereignty with the objective of strengthening both the efficiency and accountability of each institution through a strengthening of the democratic system of checks and balances defined in the Constitution.

UNDP’s capacity development programmes are determined by the three pillars strategies that facilitate the enhancement of knowledge & skills; systems & processes and attitudes & behavior. These three pillars are advocated and applied by UNDP to guide its human resource development initiatives as well as to strengthen capacity of government institutions of Timor-Leste. The unit seeks to strengthen the mainstreaming of Gender and human rights related support components into its main initiatives.

National Support

Local support is imperative to the success of a project. Accordingly, all projects are designed in intimate partnership with national partners. A project is directed by a board, and every board comprises representatives of the relevant Timor-Leste bodies: sometimes UNDP holds no vote.

UNDP assists in designing the projects, mobilizing resources, implementing measures, and maintaining external contacts. While day-to-day financial management is handled by UNDP, project expenditure is approved by each project’s Steering Committee. This division of labour balances national ownership with the protection of donor investment.

Realistic Expectations

Realistic expectations are a key to success. Timor-Leste will need decades to achieve its development objectives.

Democratic Governance projects aim at guiding development and minimising the risk of bad governance culture in the infancy of a new country. While projects have a life span of only a few years, UNDP expects to remain a development partner of Timor-Leste into the future. New projects will follow up where old projects end. This approach provides flexibility in shifting realities of a new country in its early years.