Program code: LGS
Program description: This program comprises 4 inter-related courses, namely; Local, Municipal and Regional Government, Management Structures of Local Authorities, Community Development, and Citizens’ Participation. It is intended to introduce participants to fundamental concepts, principles, and practices of local government and associated subject areas. Participants will be provided opportunities to relate these to their individual local government context thereby establishing the nexus between theory and practice. Linkages and inter-relationships between theory and practice will always be established throughout each course and assessments will be designed to evaluate the extent to which participants can make these connections. Course activities will include plenary discussions, group discussions, research, assignments, case studies and video presentations.
Duration: 32 instruction hours – 4 courses at 8 hours per course
Instructors: Mr. Winston Cramer. Mr. Horace Walks, Ms. Donna McKinnon, Ms. Sonia Gill, Dr. Wanjiku Ngunjiri
LGS 100 Local, Municipal and Regional Government
Course description: People live in cities, towns and villages and are beneficiaries of the services provided through these tiers of government. These sub-national bodies are governed, in most cases, by elected councils and function to fulfill clearly defined mandates. While the systems and structures may vary from one country to another, the basic mandate is to deliver services to citizens and to facilitate local development. A primary focus and emphasis of this program is to provide participants with functional understanding of the underlying concepts and practices that govern local government systems, structures, and operations.
Duration: 8 hours
Learning outcomes: At the end of this course, participants will be:
- familiar with fundamental concepts, principles, theories, and models relating to local government and local governance
- aware of the laws, regulations and policies governing the local government sector in their respective jurisdictions.
- aware of the main responsibilities of the mayor, administrator, council and councilors.
- equipped with applicable knowledge and skills to function in a professional manner in their respective local government entities,
LGS 101 Management Structures of Local Authorities
Course description: Local government is both political and administrative. Familiarity with these two features and their inter-relationship will enhance the understanding of the functioning of local authorities. This course is designed to examine the various management arrangements and their functional implications and applications. Participants will be able to assess these arrangements within their local government context and determine what the best possible option should be. Global examples and case studies will be used to reinforce concepts.
Duration: 8 hours
Learning outcomes: At the end of this course, participants will be:
- familiar with the basis for management structures of local authorities.
- familiar with the basic models of management structure of local authorities.
- aware of the characteristic features of each management structure and its functional implications.
- able to identify types of of management structure from given cases.
- able to assess the type of management structure for local authorities in their respective jurisdictions.
LGS 102 Community Development
Course description: Local development, and by extension community development, is one of the primary responsibilities of local government. Community development activities often vary in magnitude and scope but must be designed to enhance the quality of life of citizens. Through this course, participants will be exposed to principles, practices, and processes that guide effective community development initiatives and apply these to real life situations in their respective local government jurisdictions.
Course duration: 8 hours
Learning outcomes: At the end of this course, participants will be:
- aware of community development principles, practices, and processes.
- able to conduct community consultations.
- able to conduct a community mapping exercise.
- able to draft an outline of a community development plan.
LGS 103 Citizens’ Participation
Course description: An integral part of the functions of local government is to promote and foster local democracy. Meaningful citizens’ participation is sine qua non. There are several modalities of citizens’ participation. Through this course, participants will be able to discuss the typology of participation and the advantages and disadvantages of each type and be acquainted with the benefits, challenges, principles, and methods of citizens’ participation. Participants will apply these to the citizens’ participation modalities that are used in their respective local governments, and where necessary, to make recommendations for their improvement.
Course duration: 8 hours
Learning outcomes: At the end of this course, participants will be:
- able to appreciate the values and benefits of citizens’ participation.
- cognizant of citizens’ participation typologies, methodologies, benefits, and challenges.
- able to identify effective citizens’ participation strategies.
- determine and apply appropriate citizens’ participation strategies.
- equipped to conduct effective citizens’ participation programs.