African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Sensitisation Project in Namibia (ASPIN) Civil Society Training Workshop 17-18 April 2018 Heja Lodge, Windhoek, Namibia WORKSHOP REPORT

The workshop, organised by SAIIA and IPPR, provided training to over 50 civil society members on the APRM's structure and the importance of early engagement. Key recommendations included the formation of a civil society working group and the development of a detailed written submission to influence the national review. Participants identified critical national issues for the submission, including land ownership, urban housing, the informal economy, education, and youth unemployment. The report also highlighted lessons from other African nations, noting that while the APRM can drive policy changes, such as women's rights in Lesotho, its impact is often limited by poor implementation of National Programmes of Action.

• Civil society can meaningfully engage in the APRM process by identifying national priorities, participating in national self-assessments, engaging with country review teams, assisting in the implementation of action items, and monitoring progress.
• To ensure a strong position relative to the government, Namibian civil society is advised to develop a comprehensive written submission early in the process, similar to the 40-page submission produced by a coalition of Zambian civil society.
• Case studies from Lesotho and South Africa indicate that while the APRM can produce honest country review reports, the actual impact is often undermined by a lack of implementation of National Programmes of Action (NPoA).
• The effectiveness of a National Governing Council (NGC) depends on inclusivity rather than total representation; for example, Ghana's seven-member council was highly successful, whereas Nigeria's 80-member council struggled to advance the process.
• The APRM process in Lesotho contributed to the promotion of women's rights and the passage of new laws, increasing the number of women in parliament.
• Workshop participants identified several priority areas for the Namibian civil society submission: land ownership and communal land use, corrupt government mass housing schemes, the lack of recognition for the informal sector, high school dropout rates, and a lack of English proficiency among 98% of teachers.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2018). African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Sensitisation Project in Namibia (ASPIN) Civil Society Training Workshop 17-18 April 2018 Heja Lodge, Windhoek, Namibia WORKSHOP REPORT. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/ASPIN-APRM-Training-Workshop-Report-17-18-April-2018.pdf.pdf

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Sensitisation Project in Namibia (ASPIN) Civil Society Training Workshop 17-18 April 2018 Heja Lodge, Windhoek, Namibia WORKSHOP REPORT. 2018. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/ASPIN-APRM-Training-Workshop-Report-17-18-April-2018.pdf.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Sensitisation Project in Namibia (ASPIN) Civil Society Training Workshop 17-18 April 2018 Heja Lodge, Windhoek, Namibia WORKSHOP REPORT |date=2018 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/ASPIN-APRM-Training-Workshop-Report-17-18-April-2018.pdf.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2018african, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Sensitisation Project in Namibia (ASPIN) Civil Society Training Workshop 17-18 April 2018 Heja Lodge, Windhoek, Namibia WORKSHOP REPORT}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2018}, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/ASPIN-APRM-Training-Workshop-Report-17-18-April-2018.pdf.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }