Civil society organisations (CSOs), Government of Solomon Islands officials, and development partners gathered this week to reflect on the experiences and lessons from the Vote for Policy (V4P) Civic Education Campaign, aimed at strengthening informed and inclusive democratic participation in Solomon Islands.
The two-day workshop staged at the Office of the Registrar for Political Parties (ORPP), organised under the UN Development Programme’s Solomon Islands Democratic Governance and Electoral Assistance Project, funded by the Australia through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Government of the United Kingdom (UK), brought together six CSOs that carried out voter awareness activities in Western and Isabel Provinces.
During the discussions, participants shared experiences from their outreach work with communities through workshops, dialogues and awareness activities. These efforts helped citizens better understand political parties’ role, policies and the importance of making informed choices at the ballot box.
Mr. Victor Ngele, ORPP Chairman highlighted the importance of continued collaboration between government institutions and CSOs in strengthening civic awareness.
“We have seen how important it is for voters to understand the role of political parties and the policies they represent. Initiatives like the Vote for Policy campaign help create space for dialogue and encourage citizens to make informed choices about their leaders and the future of their communities,” Mr. Ngele said.
The workshop also provided an opportunity for participating organisations to reflect on challenges encountered during implementation, share practical approaches to community engagement, and identify lessons that can inform future civic education initiatives.
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Dr. Raluca Eddon, emphasised that strengthening democratic participation requires sustained collaboration among institutions, civil society, and communities.
“Democracy is a journey, not a destination. Initiatives like the Vote for Policy campaign demonstrate the value of partnerships in helping citizens better understand their role in democratic processes and ensuring that participation is informed, inclusive and meaningful,” she said.
The insights gathered during the workshop will help guide future civic education initiatives and inform the potential expansion of the V4P campaign to additional provinces as Solomon Islands prepares for Joint Elections in 2028.
The V4P campaign is implemented in partnership with the ORPP and the Political Parties Commission, with support from development partners including the European Union, DFAT and the UK.
By strengthening collaboration between institutions, civil society organisations and communities, the initiative contributes to broader efforts to promote transparency, informed participation and trust in democratic processes across Solomon Islands.
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