Presentation to Uganda Delegation: Capacity Building for Decentralization The Development of the Local Government Institute in Rwanda Dr. Matthias Seeler, Advisor to Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, (RALGA)

Rwanda’s Vision 2020 Good Governance and a Capable State Human Resource Development Knowledge-based economy An Economy led by vibrant private sector Economic growth and poverty reduction Capacity building and district involvement Strengthening of institutional capacities across all sectors Development and provision of required skills to constitute a pool of qualified Rwandan experts Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA

Why Decentralization? Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Why Decentralization? In-depth knowledge of the problems on the ground Better response to local residents’ needs Appropriate solutions – residents and local administrations know best what will work in their areas Equalizing living conditions in the country Less urbanization pressure in urban centers Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Challenges of Decentralization? Capacity gap between capital and districts Decentralized structures offer opportunities for misconduct (fraud, corruption, nepotism etc.) Difficulty to attract senior executives to remote areas with rather simple living conditions Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Challenges of Decentralization?  Decentralization must be accompanied by capacity building for local administrative structures! Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Needs identified in Rwanda Lack of postgraduate education in Local Government Studies Consequence: Not enough highly qualified candidates for Local Government leadership roles Lack of tailor made courses to address the most pressing capacity building needs on Local Government level Lack of a systematic capacity building approach that links tailor made courses and postgraduate education in Local Government studies Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Needs identified in Rwanda Current needs for tailor made courses: Courses in Local Government Studies: Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Needs identified in Rwanda Current needs for tailor made courses: Good governance and Service delivery Job attributions Conducting effective meetings Public Finance Management Client Charter Leadership ethics Execution of court judgments Participatory planning Data collection Courses in Local Government Studies: Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Needs identified in Rwanda Current needs for tailor made courses: Good governance and Service delivery Job attributions Conducting effective meetings Public Finance Management Client Charter Leadership ethics Execution of court judgments Participatory planning Data collection Courses in Local Government Studies: Local Taxation Local Finance Management Local Governance and Leadership Local Infrastructure Management and Planning Local Economic Development Gender and Community Development in Local Government Local Environment Management and Climate Change Mitigation Human Resource Management and Administration Local Government Strategy and Policy Formulation and Analysis Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Needs identified in Rwanda Current needs for tailor made courses: Good governance and Service delivery Job attributions Conducting effective meetings Public Finance Management Client Charter Leadership ethics Execution of court judgments Participatory planning Data collection Courses in Local Government Studies: Local Taxation Local Finance Management Local Governance and Leadership Local Infrastructure Management and Planning Local Economic Development Gender and Community Development in Local Government Local Environment Management and Climate Change Mitigation Human Resource Management and Administration Local Government Strategy and Policy Formulation and Analysis Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Needs identified in Rwanda Current needs for tailor made courses: Good governance and Service delivery Job attributions Conducting effective meetings Public Finance Management Client Charter Leadership ethics Execution of court judgments Participatory planning Data collection Courses in Local Government Studies: Local Taxation Local Finance Management Local Governance and Leadership Local Infrastructure Management and Planning Local Economic Development Gender and Community Development in Local Government Local Environment Management and Climate Change Mitigation Human Resource Management and Administration Local Government Strategy and Policy Formulation and Analysis Short Courses aligned with overall curriculum in local government studies Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Short Courses: Why these Topics: Because we have the knowledge at hand Because the content will fit into the Master-Degree Course By that we assure the modular structure of LGI programs Participants in short courses will get credit when they enroll in the Master Degree Course at a later stage Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

How to Operationalize the LGI? Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

How to Operationalize the LGI? Systematic Approach: Strategy Development (Local Consultant) Curriculum Development (International Consultancy Firm) Organizational Development of the LGI (RALGA) Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

How to Operationalize the LGI? Systematic Approach: Strategy Development (Local Consultant) Curriculum Development (International Consultancy Firm) Organizational Development of the LGI (RALGA) Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Strategy Development Position of the LGI: Private institution of higher learning LGI applying a blended learning approach (mix of distance and classroom teaching) Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Strategy Development Motto, Vision, and Mission of the LGI Motto: The LGI as a Bridge to Local Government Excellence Vision: The LGI to be an exemplary institution dedicated to excellent local government capacity building Mission: To build capacity for local government through high quality training, research and support services Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Strategy Development Values of the LGI Excellence Professionalism Integrity Responsiveness Innovation Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Strategy Development Target Group of the LGI Staff and elected leaders serving in Local Government Staff or other persons willing or preparing to enter into Local Government system Other persons working indirectly with LGI (staff in central governments, NGOs, Private Sectors,…) Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Strategy Development Partner Institutions of the LGI District Councils Government Institutions (e.g. Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Education, Higher Learning Council etc.) Higher learning and other training institutions (e.g. library) Donor organizations (e.g. GIZ, EU etc.) Financial Institutions (e.g. Development Bank of Rwanda) Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Important during strategy phase: Carrying out a SWOT Analysis… Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA

How to Operationalize the LGI? Systematic Approach: Strategy Development (Local Consultant) Curriculum Development (International Consultancy Firm) Organizational Development of the LGI (RALGA) Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

The Options: Bottom-Up-Approach: Develop short courses and later compose the Master-Degree program Top-Down-Approach: Develop overall curriculum for Master-Degree program, then for each subject, finally extract short courses from the subjects Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

The Options: Bottom-Up-Approach: Develop short courses and later compose the Master-Degree program Top-Down-Approach: Develop overall curriculum for Master-Degree program, then for each subject, finally extract short courses from the subjects Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Blended Learning Concept A Mix of Distance and Classroom Learning Proposed Study Mode: Blended Learning Concept A Mix of Distance and Classroom Learning Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Blended Learning Concept (Top-Down) Master-Program Components Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Blended Learning Concept (Top-Down) Master-Program Components Short Courses extracted, following curriculum and script, granting credit upon successful completion Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

What is Blended Learning? A mix of self studies by distance and regular classroom teaching A mode that helps students remaining in their jobs A way to comply with today’s demand of lifelong learning A modern approach to effectively and efficiently facilitate high level study content A way to afford top level teachers / professors / professionals to offer top quality An instrument that develops and conserves the knowledge base with the LGI Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

What does Blended Learning Mean for Students? Students remain employed They undergo self-studies by distance using the scripts / books They take test questions in order to continuously monitor their study progress They participate in monthly classroom teaching sessions (1 or 2 days, weekend) They write exams once per term They write a Master Thesis during the last term Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

What does Blended Learning Mean for LGI? The knowledge is independent of individual lecturers The knowledge remains within LGI (-> Sustainability) Administration costs are minimized LGI Master Program can be administered by 9 – 10 permanent staff Each subject has a lecturer who is academically responsible to facilitate in classroom lectures, to update study material, to compose exams and to mark students’ works Lecturers work part time (approximately 168 hours per year) Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

What does Blended Learning Mean for LGI? Lecturers are required to use PowerPoint Presentations provided and to then add their professional experiences in order to enrich the lectures Short courses are extracted from Master Program subjects, they follow the general curriculum outline but can then tackle special needs The Master-Thesis submitted are the basis for the expected research output of the LGI (stipulated in the LGI Concept Note) Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

How is Classroom Teaching organized? Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

How is Classroom Teaching organized? Result: Students can enroll anytime of the year Minimal building (room) requirements No more than 2 classrooms needed Lecturers hired on part-time basis Lean management structures at LGI Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Is that all we have to consider??? Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

How to Operationalize the LGI? Systematic Approach: Strategy Development (Local Consultant) Curriculum Development (International Consultancy Firm) Organizational Development of the LGI (RALGA) Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Financial Self-Sustainability Question: How to establish the LGI in a way that it can be self-sustainable and independent from donations? Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Budget Estimates Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Budget Estimates Result: The LGI will be self-sustainable from 225 students when applying a blended learning approach Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Organizational Tasks: Establishing a tentative organizational structure Project leader Administrative person Academic person Preparing accreditation of the LGI Supervision of curriculum development according to the LGI strategy Connecting RALGA, curriculum developers, GIZ and key stakeholders (local governments) during LGI development process Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Organizational Tasks: Specific tasks for administrative person: job descriptions for LGI Recruitment plan Recruitment policy Remuneration guideline Actual recruitment Creation of necessary forms Establishing filing system for LGI Establishing a scholarship structure Procurement of furniture and equipment Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Organizational Tasks: Specific tasks for academic person: Supervision of curriculum development Study guideline Exam guideline Master Thesis guideline Credit granting guideline Developing library services  Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Organizational Tasks: Cross cutting issues to be attended by administrative and academic persons: Accreditation application  LGI website Code of Conduct LGI Building to be planned Planning for furniture and equipment Establishing student fee structure Supervising /follow-up of pilot phase of curriculum development to 'test-run' the LGI Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

A huge amount of work but worth to be done, because… Summary: A huge amount of work but worth to be done, because… Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

…”The Future is in Local Government” Summary: …”The Future is in Local Government” Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler

Thank You! Your Questions Please! Dr. Matthias Seeler, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, RALGA Dr. Matthias Seeler