This study seeks to investigate the effectiveness of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in fostering good governance practices in Africa. The APRM was established in 2003 subsequent to the launch of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) in 2001, as an instrument to monitor the adoption and implementation of policies and practices that would lead to political stability, high economic growth and accelerated regional cooperation and integration as set out in the NEPAD document. The ultimate goal of the APRM is to instil good governance in Africa, which NEPAD considers the sine qua non for Africa’s development. The principal finding of this study is that the mechanism of peer review through the APRM has the potential to foster good governance in Africa, and thus, to pave the way to poverty alleviation and development. The peer review process provides an opportunity for participating countries to become aware of the strengths and shortcomings in their policy-making, governance institutions and practices and to share best practices of administrative, political and economic governance. It offers a forum for dialogue, peer learning, and regional and continental cooperation in which the challenges facing African countries, both individually and collectively, can be tackled. The APRM has initiated a process of dialogue between government and other societal actors (mainly civil society and business) about governance and development issues and how these can best be addressed. This is an important step towards the consolidation of democracy and better governance in Africa. It is for these benefits and for the potential for better governance that the APRM needs all the political and financial support it can get. The APRM is, however fraught with many challenges, which are likely to impede the effectiveness of its contribution. These challenges include the voluntary nature of the APRM, its inability to enforce policy, the absence of adequate funding, poor and limited administrative resources for implementation. In addition, the weak civil society in most African states militates against meaningful participation in and contribution to the process of peer review. Addressing these obstacles is imperative for the APRM to deliver its full potential. To this end, the study proffers a number of recommendations, which include the provision of strong political and financial support from African states, capacity building of national institutions that oversee government performance, such as the parliament and civil society, and the consistent financial support of donors and the international community. The study reveals that the road to a successful and effective APRM, and thus to a peaceful and prosperous Africa may lie in the future, but the foundation for Africa’s political and economic renaissance must be laid now. / Thesis (PhD (Public Affairs))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / School of Public Management and Administration (SPMA) / unrestricted

La question de l’Etat de droit se pose de plus en plus avec beaucoup d’acuité en Afrique en général et en Afrique de l’ouest en particulier. Le déficit observable d’Etat de droit dans certains pays de cette sous région, est une des causes fondamentales de situations de belligérance et de crise avec leurs conséquences dramatiques : violation des droits de l’homme, désinstitutionnalisation, refus d’alternance démocratique, impunité, pauvreté, insécurité etc.La Côte d’Ivoire, la Mauritanie, le Liberia et la Sierra Léone n’échappent pas à ce constat. Ces pays se caractérisent par des situations particulières au regard des crises qu’ils connaissent et ont connu, ainsi que par des enjeux communs dans la longue et difficile quête de l’établissement de l’Etat de droit.Ce processus, émaillé d’obstacles majeurs, donne naissance à une production normative réelle avec les interventions combinées des communautés sous régionales, panafricaine et internationale. Et pour autant, des « conflits de normativité » ne sont pas à exclure. D’où la nécessité d’envisager des perspectives d’harmonisation normative dans les dynamiques de gestion et de règlement des crises, en vue d’établir l’Etat de droit en Afrique de l’ouest. / The question of the Rule of law arises more and more with much acuity in Africa in general and in West Africa in particular. The observable deficit of Rule of law in certain countries of this region is one of the root causes of belligerence and crisis with dramatic consequences: violation of Human rights, desinstitutionalization, refusal of democratic alternation, impunity, poverty, insecurity, etc…Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritania, Liberia, and Sierra Leone are not immune to this. These countries are characterized by particular situations in the light of the crisis they encounter and have encountered, as well as common issues in the long and difficult quest for the establishment of the Rule of Law. This process, with major obstacles, gives rise to a real normative production with the combined intervention of the regional, pan African and international communities. And provided, the “conflict of norms” are not to be excluded. Hence the need to consider prospects for resolving crises, to establish the Rule of law in West Africa.

The aim of the thesis is to characterize the institution of the Ombudsman, his place in the distribution of powers and, above all, to analyze its relationship to the judicial power. The thesis is divided into five parts, with the first three parts focused on the theoretical description of the institution of the Ombudsman and its role in the control system of public administration. The fourth part characterizes the institution of the Ombudsman, his place in the distribution of power and its relationship to the judicial power. The fifth part is focused specifically on the relationship of the Ombudsman and the courts. The institution of the Ombudsman has the duty to protect citizens against acts of authorities, which may be in conflict with the law, against their inactivity and against the behavior that does not conform to the principles of good governance and the principles of the rule of a democratic State. Unlike an Ombudsman, the courts only protect citizens against unlawful acts. The courts have the availability to render decisions which are enforceable by the State power. The relationship between the Ombudsman and judicial power is characterized by a high degree of independence.

The thesis focuses on theoretical and empirical analysis of the EU research policy and its impacts. The aim of the thesis is to evaluate effects of this policy on the financial management of universities, or more precisely the impact of financial rules defined by the European Commission (EC) in the 7th Framework Programme (FP7) on the development of full cost methodologies at universities in the EU27. The thesis also analyzes the process of the preparation of the new FP8 HORIZON 2020 financial rules and asses if feedback and needs of participating universities are reflected and thus principles of European good governance are applied. In order to meet its goals, the thesis states three hypotheses: Hypothesis 1: Universities from the EU27 that participate in FP7 develop full cost methodologies. Hypothesis 2: EC requirements in FP7 are one of the main drivers to implement full cost methodologies for universities form EU27. Hypothesis 3: Universities from the EU27 communicate development of their full cost methodologies with the EC. The thesis is organized into four chapters. The first one characterizes the concept of European good governance and one of its instruments, i.e. policy evaluation and its use in the thesis (including the analysis of performed questionnaire research). Second chapter defines the term of financial management and its use in the thesis. Third chapter describes the EU research policy, its historical development, main instruments (FPs), role of European institutions and attitude to full costing. The last forth chapter analyzes in details experience of universities form EU27 with development of full cost methodologies. Within its conclusions, the thesis proves that the EU research policy significantly influences the financial management of universities from EU27 and implementation of full cost methodologies by them. It is inter alia proved, that 70 % of universities from the EU27 that do not implement full costing in FP7 yet plan to introduce such methodologies in the future; that FP7 financial rules are drivers to implement full cost methodologies for almost 2/3 universities from the EU27 participating in FP7 and that 3/4 of universities form EU27 applying full costing in FP7 consulted on their methodologies with the EC. All three hypotheses thus were verified. Nevertheless, it was concluded that principles of European good governance are not satisfactory applied by the EC, because it does not support the use of full costing in HORIZON 2020 anymore.

Thesis (PhD.(Public Administration)) --University of Limpopo. 2019 / South Africa continues to experiment with democracy after 23 years since its rebirth in 1994. The country’s democracy is still developing towards greater transparency, full participation and accountability. Development depends on the existence of strong and vibrant institutions of accountability in the face of the challenges that threaten to reverse the gains made since the advent of democracy. Among such institutions is the legislature, which is the focus of this study. The study probes the oversight role of legislatures in South Africa. Oversight has become a subject of interest in the field of Public Administration as it is viewed as the mandate of legislatures to hold the government to account for managing public resources in the course of conducting public affairs. This study broadens the understanding of oversight by examining crucial relations between the legislature and the executive, and by providing insight into the legislature’s ability and capacity to carry out the oversight mandate. This is mainly because in most developing countries, the legislative sector, and particularly African legislatures have been categorised as weak. They are generally censured to have institutional weaknesses and limited decision-making role. There are, however, common challenges, including but not limited to lack of capacity, the dominance of the executive and its reluctance to cooperate, and lack of political will attributed to various factors. These challenges are intensified by the legislature’s perceived inability to deal with emerging issues. Studies previously conducted in the Gauteng Legislature have affirmed some of these challenges, including among others, lack of independence and capacity issues when exercising its oversight role. However, the literature pointed to increased oversight activities in democratic legislatures over the years. Although increase in oversight activities is acknowledged in the study, literature on oversight effectiveness is scant. From the foregoing, the aim of the study was to examine whether the oversight role of legislatures has effects in terms of the promotion of good governance, particularly executive transparency and accountability as well as public involvement. In addition to focusing on the relationship between the executive and the legislature, ability and capacity of the legislature, the study also set out to determine the extent to which the public participates in oversight processes of legislatures. The study concentrated on the Gauteng Legislature, and focused on the work of Portfolio Committees as they are responsible for the day to day oversight work of legislatures. The literature reviewed points out to the complex nature of the legislative oversight setting based on the systems of governance adopted in a country, which has an influence on the relationship between the executive and the legislature, and in turn, on oversight. The study has employed a qualitative approach, with the data collected utilising semi-structured in-depth personal interviews, participant observation and document analysis. Semi-structured personal interviews were the main data collection tool utilised to collect primary data from the participants. The participants were selected utilising non-probability (purposive) sampling to target participants with knowledge and experience on the subject matter to attain the objectives of the study. In addition, the participant observation and document analysis were used to collect both primary and secondary data to supplement the interviews with the respondents. This was mainly to respond to the contention of this study. The study argues that the legislature through its oversight role has the ability and capacity to promote transparency and accountability as well as public involvement. The findings of this study suggest that to a certain extent, the oversight role might have positive effects on promoting executive transparency and accountability. However, the findings have pointed out some serious shortcomings regarding the extent to which the public participates in the oversight work of the legislature. This is regardless of the efforts made by the legislature to establish platforms to ensure that the public participates in the oversight role to hold the executive accountable. Furthermore, the study has found that Portfolio Committees are a suitable mechanism to hold the executive to account as among others, the Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) work well together. There are improved relations between the Gauteng government departments and committees. The departments are responsive; yet there are still challenges leading to the elusion of accountability, with limited or no consequences. The study recommends inter alia, follow-up on oversight activities; committee action against the executive’s reluctance; strengthening the role of research; and regular interactions between the executive and the legislature.

Thesis (Ph. D. (Public Administration)) --University of Limpopo, 2019 / South Africa continues to experiment with democracy after 23 years since its rebirth in 1994. The country‘s democracy is still developing towards greater transparency, full participation and accountability. Development depends on the existence of strong and vibrant institutions of accountability in the face of the challenges that threaten to reverse the gains made since the advent of democracy. Among such institutions is the legislature, which is the focus of this study. The study probes the oversight role of legislatures in South Africa. Oversight has become a subject of interest in the field of Public Administration as it is viewed as the mandate of legislatures to hold the government to account for managing public resources in the course of conducting public affairs. This study broadens the understanding of oversight by examining crucial relations between the legislature and the executive, and by providing insight into the legislature‘s ability and capacity to carry out the oversight mandate. This is mainly because in most developing countries, the legislative sector, and particularly African legislatures have been categorised as weak. They are generally censured to have institutional weaknesses and limited decision-making role. There are, however, common challenges, including but not limited to lack of capacity, the dominance of the executive and its reluctance to cooperate, and lack of political will attributed to various factors. These challenges are intensified by the legislature‘s perceived inability to deal with emerging issues. Studies previously conducted in the Gauteng Legislature have affirmed some of these challenges, including among others, lack of independence and capacity issues when exercising its oversight role. However, the literature pointed to increased oversight activities in democratic legislatures over the years. Although increase in oversight activities is acknowledged in the study, literature on oversight effectiveness is scant. From the foregoing, the aim of the study was to examine whether the oversight role of legislatures has effects in terms of the promotion of good governance, particularly executive transparency and accountability as well as public involvement. In addition to focusing on the relationship between the executive and the legislature, ability and capacity of the legislature, the study also set out to determine the extent to which the public participates in oversight processes of legislatures. The study concentrated on the Gauteng Legislature, and focused on the work of Portfolio Committees as they are responsible for the day to day oversight work of legislatures. The literature reviewed points out to the complex nature of the legislative oversight setting based on the systems of governance adopted in a country, which has an influence on the relationship between the executive and the legislature, and in turn, on oversight. The study has employed a qualitative approach, with the data collected utilising semistructured in-depth personal interviews, participant observation and document analysis. Semi-structured personal interviews were the main data collection tool utilised to collect primary data from the participants. The participants were selected utilising non-probability (purposive) sampling to target participants with knowledge and experience on the subject matter to attain the objectives of the study. In addition, the participant observation and document analysis were used to collect both primary and secondary data to supplement the interviews with the respondents. This was mainly to respond to the contention of this study. The study argues that the legislature through its oversight role has the ability and capacity to promote transparency and accountability as well as public involvement. The findings of this study suggest that to a certain extent, the oversight role might have positive effects on promoting executive transparency and accountability. However, the findings have pointed out some serious shortcomings regarding the extent to which the public participates in the oversight work of the legislature. This is regardless of the efforts made by the legislature to establish platforms to ensure that the public participates in the oversight role to hold the executive accountable. Furthermore, the study has found that Portfolio Committees are a suitable mechanism to hold the executive to account as among others, the Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) work well together. There are improved relations between the Gauteng government departments and committees. The departments are responsive; yet there are still challenges leading to the elusion of accountability, with limited or no consequences. The study recommends inter alia, follow-up on oversight activities; committee action against the executive‘s reluctance; strengthening the role of research; and regular interactions between the executive and the legislature. Keywords Accountability, Committees, Democracy, Executive, Government, Governance, Good Governance, Legislature, Performance, Public Participation, Service Delivery, Transparency, Political Parties, and Oversight.

Magister Philosophiae - MPhil / One of the population structures associated with demographic dividend is “demographic transition”, which is a shift from high fertility and mortality to low fertility and mortality. It is understood that low dependency ratio (shows that there are relatively more adults of working age who can support the young and the old of the populace) is one major factor in achieving a successful demographic dividend (DD) (Esther, 2013). DD refers to the fast-economic growth that is achieved by a country when there are dependency ratios. This definition means that the proportion of people of working age group (15-64) is higher, compared to those of ages lower than 15 and above 64 years (Statistics SA, 2017). In addition, having a large proportion of working age people does not necessarily guarantee a successful demographic dividend. There are certain conditions to support a successful DD. According to Dewald Van Rensburg, 2017, South Africa is almost done with the achievement of demographic transition. These does not guarantee a successful demographic dividend. This study will therefore look at socio-economic conditions in support of a demographic dividend, because most of the working age people are still not employed, therefore are not productive enough to contribute to the economic growth. Socio economic conditions include (favorable labor market, economic growth, good governance, education and training, health care, family planning and gender equity) (StatsSA, 2017). These conditions if well-established will lead to a reduction of unemployment and therefore result in more labor resources becoming available to devote to production. Since many people entering working age find it difficult to get employment. Statistics South Africa shows that 38.2% of youth were unemployed in the first quarter of 2018 (Statistic South Africa, 2018), this study will have a close look at South African youth unemployment in relation to the demographic characteristics such as gender, population group, marital status, geography type and province of residence.

The work deals with constructing of participatory spaces in the process of urban development planning. The topic of involving citizens into planning is viewed from the point of planners. A concept of participation in this text is conceived in the sense of invented spaces built from above. The research perspective is an interpretative one, anchored in the constructivist epistemology. Therefore the main question is: How do planners reflect involving citizens in the planning? Firstly, the authoress demonstrates the importance of her topic by putting it into the context of wider social dynamics related to the crises of representative democracy and emerging of sub-politics. She reveals that the trend of building participatory opportunities is strengthening. The important question is formulated: How is the role of public in the strategic planning constructed? On the base of analytical induction of semi-structured interviews with planners, the authoress creates her own typology of ideal-type approaches to participation. These types of approaches came out from a distinction of the extent and the aim of spaces of participation. The involvement of citizens can be seen either as building of community, activation of elites, mapping of public preferences or as consultation with local experts.

According to the United Nations more than half of humanity live today in cities, and by 2050 seventy percent of the world’s population is projected to be urban. This means that there will be a transformative role of cities at all levels in the coming decades. In general, Local governments have the responsibility to provide their people with basic services to improve their living standards because democracy is also measured in terms of quality of life and the common good. Through the case study of Los Cabos Citizen Observatory (ICO) in Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico, we have analyzed and learned that a conscious, competent, credible, collective, collaborative, continuous and communicative citizen par-ticipation can occur with the use of ISO 18091 international standard. With this tool, not only can citizens evaluate the administration's action in an integral way but also offer pro-posals of value for the improvement of public services and policies which eventually be-come strategic axes of municipal development plan for a good governance. Therefore, ICOs are Building a Reliable Citizen Participation for Local Government which can be pre-sented as 'one valid global way' to improve Democracy and Participation in the 21st cen-tury that are promoted and practiced starting from the cities.

This thesis investigates whether environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance impacts financial performance in the Swedish market. ESG performance is measured using the overall ESG score and the three individual pillar scores (environment, social, and governance). Financial performance is assessed using a market-based financial measure(Tobin's Q) and an accounting-based financial measure (Return on Assets, ROA). Further, we introduce a one-year lag between ESG performance and financial performance. We analyze a total of 858 firm-year observations from 266 firms listed on the NASDAQ Stockholm stock exchange over the five-year period from 2018 to 2022, with controls for firm size and leverage. Our findings reveal that none of the ESG performance measures have an impact on the financial performance measures (ROA or Tobin’s Q). This indicates a need for further research into the complexities of the ESG impact on firm financial performance within the Swedish context.