Democracy and Governance BRIDGE
Please find the following links to the DG sections of the website:
The goal of DG BRIDGE is to promote and support democracy and good governance through multi-stakeholder learning, dialogue and networking. DG BRIDGE is a pilot initiative of BRIDGE [Building Resources in Democracy Governance and Elections], a global partnership that includes the following agencies:
- Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)
- International Institute of Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA)
- International Foundation of Electoral Systems (IFES)
- United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
- United Nations Electoral Assistance Division (UNEAD)
DG BRIDGE is intended to complement and enhance existing [multi-sector, cross-cutting or sector specific] democracy and governance initiatives and reforms in target countries. DG Dialogue is designed to be integrated and used in the context of existing national reforms, agendas and programs. It is of use to those agencies engaged in supporting:
- State and non-state capacity development for democratic governance
- Specific governance reforms (such as decentralization, public administration reform etc)
- Increased democratic space, social accountability and voice at national and sub-national levels
- Parliamentary development and increased capacity of lawmakers
- Civil service capacity development and reform
- Civil society development and increased civic engagement
- Human rights and advocacy
- Gender equality and women’s empowerment advocacy and programs
- Youth participation and empowerment
- Civic education
Different Modalities within DG BRIDGE
There are two main modalities contained in the DG BRIDGE program:
- DG Dialogue (the ‘flagship’ program) – combines a learning program and facilitated dialogue processes
- Democracy in Our Place (DiOP) – a shorter version of DG Dialogue that just comprises learning outcomes
‘DG Dialogue’: is a learning and multi-stakeholder facilitated dialogue process where a range of state and non-state actors explore the concepts of democracy and governance [learning], looking at how these might be applied at both the policy and practice levels in each country [localizing] and planning for joint action and change [leading] resulting in increased participants’ knowledge, skills and attitudes at a minimum level and in increased civic participation and democratic governance at the optimum level. The core DG DIALOGUE program consists of a wide range of core and elective elements, which incorporate both dialogue mechanisms and a participatory learning curriculum. The program comprises 3 main components: Part 1: a 5-day workshop, Part 2: a 5-day workshop, Part 3: a series of multi-stakeholder processes/meetings
‘Democracy in Our Place’ (DiOP): is a short learning program that takes place in a 5-day workshop with the objective to explore the concepts of democracy and good governance, and in some cases to provide participants with the opportunity to develop a plan themselves that will have some concrete outcome in improving an aspect of governance in their sphere of influence.
Training, Mentoring & Facilitator Accreditation Process: the DG BRIDGE program also contains a training of facilitator program, which aims to accredit facilitators who become qualified to facilitate DG BRIDGE (Dialogue and DiOP programs).
How To Use DG BRIDGE
DG BRIDGE is available for use (in the same way that Elections BRIDGE is available for use) – there is a completed curriculum and accredited DG BRIDGE facilitators who can assist with implementation.
DG BRIDGE can be conducted by a DG BRIDGE partner organisation or other organisations as long as they comply with the rules of DG BRIDGE [See below: Rules of DG BRIDGE].
Global Office Closure/Project Institutional Home
Whilst the global DG BRIDGE office closed in June 2012 – the DG BRIDGE program is and can still be implemented by agencies that adhere to the rules of DG BRIDGE. Contact the BRIDGE office for more details about the status of DG BRIDGE and the future institutional home of DG BRIDGE.
Enquiries
If you wish to enquire about past or current national programs, you may find program information on this website, as well as the contact person for each program.
If you wish to enquire about the possibility of implementing a future national program under the auspices of an agency, you should:
- contact a level 3 facilitator - the first point of contact is Yvonne Goudie This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it [ex-Coordinator] who can put you in touch with accredited level 3 facilitators. A Level 3 facilitator can advise you on program implementation and needs to be involved in the delivery as part of the rules of using DG BRIDGE, and
- contact the BRIDGE office to express your interest – using the ‘contact’ facility on the website
More Information DG BRIDGE
Refer to the project documents links on this page, this includes:
- curriculum materials
- past and present national workshop materials
- overview documents (publicity documents, brochures, newsletters, design materials, etc)
- facilitator information
- implementation materials (including the DG BRIDGE Implementation Manual)
Want to see the DG BRIDGE curriculum?
While DG BRIDGE wishes to be as widely used as possible, there are some rules in place to protect the quality and integrity of the program as well as to maintain the synergy between the DG BRIDGE institutional partners and other DG BRIDGE implementing partners.
Access to the DG BRIDGE curriculum and workshop materials is usually restricted to accredited DG BRIDGE facilitators and the BRIDGE partners. However, if you would like to see a sample of the curriculum and you are not a facilitator or BRIDGE partner, please contact the BRIDGE Office explaining why you would like access.
Rules of DG BRIDGE
DG BRIDGE is a partnership. This partnership gives strength to DG BRIDGE, but at the same time it brings with it some obligations for the implementers of DG BRIDGE.
The rules and guidelines of DG BRIDGE are designed to ensure its integrity as well as continuing to maintain the synergy between the DG BRIDGE institutional partners and other DG BRIDGE implementing partners.
- DG BRIDGE implementers must advise the DG BRIDGE Office, as soon as they can legitimately do so, of forthcoming DG BRIDGE activities.
- DG BRIDGE must be conducted by accredited facilitators. The DG BRIDGE facilitation process has been designed to ensure that facilitators have an adequate understanding of the DG Dialogue content and methodologies. This is to ensure quality of outcomes and consistency of approach in the delivery of DG Dialogue.
- DG BRIDGE must acknowledge the DG BRIDGE partners. Part of the strength and credibility of DG BRIDGE comes from the partnership, therefore it is important to give due recognition.
- Copyright of the DG BRIDGE materials must be respected. In this context, it must be emphasised that the translation of materials does not change the underlying intellectual property.
- DG BRIDGE partners may arrange translation of DG BRIDGE materials in consultation with the DG BRIDGE office. Other individuals and organisations must obtain permission from the DG BRIDGE office before undertaking translations.
- DG BRIDGE facilitators and implementers must provide additional activities and resources, translations, evaluations and program reports to the DG BRIDGE website, via the DG BRIDGE office. This ensures that lessons are learnt, and that the curriculum is improved on an ongoing basis.
When is it DG BRIDGE?
A program is DG BRIDGE when all of the following apply:
- Programs are conducted by accredited DG BRIDGE facilitators
- DG BRIDGE methodology and activities [including its focus on a capacity-development approach] are used
- The integrity of the curriculum and curriculum methodology are maintained including learning outcomes of DG Dialogue activities are addressed and met, and the adult learning methodology is applied
- Programs are conducted in compliance with the rules above.
When is it not DG BRIDGE?
- If the rules of DG BRIDGE are not followed
- If DG BRIDGE materials are modified/adapted and/or used by non-accredited facilitators, copyright/acknowledgements still need to be respected. (See Copyright and Acknowledgements section in the DG BRIDGE Implementation Manual)
- If the integrity of the curriculum methodology is not maintained
