Partnership Programme for Capacity Building Centre of Excellence in Good Governance (CoE in Good Governance)- invite only 2

由于权力极端集中、机构薄弱和未能将负责任的权力使用制度化而出现的治理危机是非洲之角地区面临的一项关键挑战。这个研究项目将调查各自国家的联邦制和权力下放的承诺和陷阱，以期提出具体的政策选择。该项目将研究有助于解决该地区治理危机和确保团结的制度设计机制，同时也为次国家元素提供政治空间。它将分析权力下放和联邦制在体制薄弱的情况下的影响，并提出有助于加强体制和促进权力下放和联邦制进程的改革领域。通过联邦制、权力下放和包容性政治机构解决治理危机，并通过加强法治确保权力制度化，有可能使政府更负责任，更有能力提供关键服务。这样的制度确保了相对的稳定与和平，减少了国家分裂的风险。主要研究问题针对非洲之角地区的国家（埃塞俄比亚、南非、南苏丹、索马里），研究将从非洲国家（如南非）和欧洲国家（英国）吸取相关经验教训。来自伙伴机构的主要专家因其在这一领域的关键技能和卓越研究，以及他们解决研究主题和与各国主要领导人、政治行为者、民间社会团体、妇女、议会成员和其他社会阶层接触的能力而被选中。在研究过程中，在通过焦点小组、关键利益攸关方磋商和圆桌会议收集主要数据时，所有研究人员都将确保性别平等。在研究过程中，主要专家将与每个国家的主要利益攸关方进行四次高级别圆桌会议，并与政党领导人、学者、青年、妇女和民间社会进行对话，以收集有关治理状况的相关数据。根据研究成果和现有知识，将向每个国家的相关利益攸关方（议会、领导人、政党、民间社会团体、青年、妇女）提供三轮短期培训（共105名学员），以传播调查结果并对行动者和机构产生影响。将从每个研究主题编写四份政策简报，以指导每个国家治理制度改革的方向。各国领导人、政党和民间社会团体之间的对话将是获得政策支持的手段。将委托主要专家在培训和研讨会活动期间发表主要说明和政策简报摘要。最终产出和政策简报将在区域研讨会和对话中分享，主要利益攸关方将出席并以对话的方式参与产出。四篇期刊文章将在著名期刊（区域和联邦研究、性别研究期刊、非洲事务、国际宪法期刊）上发表。一本包含所有贡献的编辑书将在项目结束时出版。提高对包容性治理体系的认识，加强主要利益攸关方和行为体对包容性治理模式的能力建设，确保和平、稳定并加强服务提供——这是非洲之角面临的一个主要问题。作为建设中心能力、加强中心与伙伴机构之间的联系和合作的一部分，伙伴机构的教授将作为访问学者在中心开展善治讲座和研讨会。双方将开展联合研究，包括研究交流、讲座和短期培训。

A crisis of governance which has emerged as a result of the extreme centralization of power, weak institutions and failure to institutionalise the responsible use of power is a key challenge in the Horn of Africa region. This research project will investigate the promises and pitfalls of federalism and devolution in the respective countries with a view to proposing concrete policy alternatives. The project will examine the institutional design mechanisms that help address the crisis of governance in the region and ensure unity but at the same also provide political space for sub-state elements. It will analyse the impact of devolution and federalism in a context of weak institutions and proposes areas for reform that assist in strengthening institutions and facilitate the process of devolution and federalism. Addressing the crisis of governance through federalism, devolution and inclusive political institutions as well as ensuring the institutionalization of power through strengthening the rule of law has the potential to make the government more accountable and able to deliver critical services. Such systems ensure relative stability and peace and reduce the risks of state fragmentation. Key research questions target the countries in the Horn of Africa region (Ethiopia, South Africa, South Sudan, Somalia), and the research will draw relevant lessons from countries in Africa (such as South Africa) and Europe (UK). Key experts from partner institutions have been chosen for their key skills and research excellence in this area, as well as their ability to address the research themes and engage with key leaders, political actors, civil society groups, women, members of parliament and other sections of society in each country. During the course of the research and while conducting the primary data through focus groups, key stake holder consultations and roundtables, gender equality will be ensured by all researchers.During the process of research key experts will engage with major stake holders in each country in four high level round tables and dialogues with political party leaders, academics, youth, women and civil society to gather relevant data on the state of governance. Based on the research outputs and existing knowledge, three rounds of short trainings (105 trainees in total) will be provided to relevant stake holders (parliaments, leaders, political parties, civil society groups, youth, women) in each country to disseminate the findings and create impact on actors and institutions. Four Policy briefs from each research theme will be prepared to guide the direction of reform in the system of governance in each country. Dialogue among leaders, political parties and civil society groups in each country will be the means to get policy buy in. Key experts will be commissioned to deliver key notes and summary of the policy briefs during training and seminar events. The final outputs and policy briefs will be shared in a regional seminar and dialogue where major stake holders will attend and engage by way of dialogue in the outputs. Four journal articles will be published in reputable journals (Regional and Federal Studies, Journal of Gender Studies, African Affairs, International Journal of Constitutional Law). An edited book with all the contributions will be published towards the end of the project. Improved knowledge on inclusive governance system, built capacity of major stake holders and actors on inclusive governance modalities ensures peace, stability and enhances service delivery- a major problem in the Horn of AfricaAs part of building the capacity of the CoE and strengthening linkages with and cooperation between the CoE and partner institutions, professors from partner institutions will be hosted as visiting scholars to provide lectures and seminars in the CoE in Good Governance. There will be joint research including research exchanges, lectures and short term trainings.