Day one of the Meeting kicked off with a progress report on GGLN activities presented by the GGLN Secretariat. This was followed by updates from members via poster presentations on their current activities and future work plans in the local governance sector, including challenges experienced and lessons learnt. The day also entailed an introduction to as well as presentations on and discussions around the theme and content of the upcoming 2018 State of Local Governance (SoLG) publication. Specifically, the overall SoLG theme Local Government – dream deferred? as well as the sub-themes Local Government through the lens of the White Paper on Local Government and 15 years of the GGLN including the 10th SoLG were engaged with.
Day two of the Meeting focused on GGLN communications matters as well as discussions around and decisions on the formation of thematic learning groups. A decision was taken by participants to pilot (largely virtual) groups on informal settlement upgrading, citizen-based monitoring of local governance activities and activating citizen participation in local governance matters.
A presentation by the Secretariat on and discussions around the future purpose and structure of the GGLN followed. Participants were informed regarding the outcome of the GGLN strategic review project, the GGLN Reference Group and Secretariat’s response to the review project report, and (in principle) which strategic elements will be taken forward into the new GGLN phase commencing in 2019. With regard to the latter, the GGLN will in future focus on continuing and deepening learning activities, including playing a role in developing learning interventions through the Collaborative Programme in Applied Learning for Civil Society Practice (CIVICS) Programme.
Participants were specifically requested to share their thoughts around whether the GGLN should in future play an active and direct advocacy role representing its membership or whether it should continue to indirectly support the advocacy work of its members through its learning and networking activities. Generally, members indicated that the GGLN’s future advocacy focus should remain on the latter. These advocacy-related inputs from participants will be taken forward into further discussions with the GGLN Reference Group and the leaders of member organisations around whether or not the GGLN should in future have an advocacy programmatic component and if so, what its purpose, form and implications would be.
Day two was concluded with an overview of the 2018 GGLN calendar.
For more information on the Members Meeting and other GGLN queries, please contact Monique Damons, GGLN Coordinator, on +27 21 683 7903 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.