NORTHERN PROVINCE MUSANZE — The Ministry of Local Government has embarked on a campaign to promote democratic principles through music and poetic recitation competitions. The inter-sector competition is scheduled to take place later this month. It is intended to attract all local artists from the district. The move is also meant to convey a message for promoting equal representation of youth in order to promote good governance and democracy in the country, according to organisers. The competitions would feature women and youth groups, and sector troupes (Itorero). The best itorero from each sector would perform in the final competitions at the district levels to select those to feature in the national competitions slated for August 3, 2008. The activities are organised by the Ministry of Local Government, in conjunction with the National Women Council and the National Youth Council. At a preparatory meeting last week, local leaders were asked to mobilise talented traditional singers, poem writers and music composers for the grand competitions. The activities are also expected to highlight the steps taken by the government to establish a foundation of good governance, including steps taken to strengthen democratic institutions like political parties, organising free and fair elections and the respect of human rights. It would also be a platform to show the level of gender balance in decision making positions and other aspects; including equality in accessing different opportunities among girls and boys. Ends
