Discussion on NSAs, Govt Code of Conduct in Offing

The extent and nature of the engagement policy to which the government, development partners and Non-State Actors are committed, appears to call for a new and friendlier code of conduct. 

            This was revealed by Non-State Actors (NSAs) in an interview conducted by a consultant, Japheth Makongo, on the need to have a code of conduct to which both NSAs and the government must adhere. The interview was conducted country-wide as part of a preliminary work for the preparation of the code of conduct.  

            According to the study, the current state of ad hoc engagements calls for a new way of having a format of engaging Non-State Actors. While opportunities are provided for various stakeholders to take part, participation by NSAs and their interaction with government authorities is weak, asserts the consultant. Thus NSAs are of the opinion that some government actors are still bureaucratic, defensive and hoard important information that could have been used in policy formulation processes.  

             “Government actors' mindsets are dominated by mistrust, doubting NSAs' working capacity,” says Mr Makongo, adding that NSA’s are considered to be very weak in as far as communication with government authorities is concerned, especially in informing what they gain and deliver to their target audience and beneficiaries.  

            “Challenges affecting collaboration between government and non-state actors include wrong mindset, perception, mistrust, and the structured and systematic government bureaucracy”, he observes.

            The number of registered NSAs in Tanzania has grown rapidly since the early 1990s when some 200 were registered to about 4,000 by 2005; and are now approaching 5,000. For obvious reasons, different forms of association are used. For instance, a non-profit company, society, or trust. These range from community social organizations to NGOs; workers' unions; private sector organizations; sector organizations (e.g. media, advocacy, education, social, research, academic and unions); chambers of commerce, agriculture and industry and some faith-based organizations.

            The code of conduct draft is apparently being reviewed by the Task Force of the Coordinating Committee of NSASP before taking it to the public for a wide discussion. The Code articulates an agreed set of principles and standards by which the interests of government institutions and agencies on the one hand and those of Non-State Actors on the other can be balanced and mediated for the common goal.

            The provision of the document is designed to promote effective and meaningful mutual engagement by Non-State Actors in policy formulation processes. While focusing on the relationship between state and non-state actors within Tanzania, the Code seeks to complement other such other codes that exist to promote a high standard of performance. If accepted, the draft gears towards making stakeholders abide by key principles, namely shared goals transparency, respect, competence, responsibility, integrity and democracy.