Editorial by the Executive Director

It is my pleasure to present the first publication of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR)’s Levy Mwanawasa Regional Centre for Democracy and Good Governance (LMRC) Capacity Building Bulletin.This is a significant instrument for the LMRC because it will bolster the execution of its mission which is “to reinforce the capacities of social and political institutions of ICGLR Member States in the areas of Democracy, Good Governance, Human Rights and Civic Education”.

The objective of the Bulletin is to facilitate better sharing of information, knowledge and experiences generated or compiled by the Centre on Capacity Building.The ICGLR Levy Mwanawasa Regional Centre is a Regional Think Tank established by the Heads of State and Government of ICGLR Member States (namely Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic (CAR), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia) in the Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region adopted on 15th December 2006.

With its operationalisation in 2011, the LMRC is the scientific and technical body of the ICGLR.This first issue of the Bulletin focuses on the Capacity Building Workshop for the ICGLR National Coordination Mechanisms (NCMs) and Programme Officers which took place in Lusaka, Zambia, from 13th to 15th October 2014. The discussion on the key role of the NCMs in implementing ICGLR Pact and other Regional Programmes enabled participants to identify priority areas of action as well as constraints and challenges to be addressed in the short and medium terms.

The success of both the NCMs and the Conference Secretariat which are coordinating the implementation of the Pact at national and regional level respectively will be guaranteed if the NCMs play their role effectively and efficiently.The success of both the NCMs and the Conference Secretariat which are coordinating the implementation of the Pact at national and regional level respectively will be guaranteed if the NCMs play their role effectively and efficiently.Finally, I would like to let our esteemed readers that all contributions to capacity building issues are welcome and that the LMRC will facilitate expedite dissemination of those valued contributions to all stakeholders through this Bulletin.

Frank Okuthe, PhD
Executive Director

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