Africa

Benin

• DESS en démocratie et gouvernance

DESS en démocratie et gouvernance

Project purpose: The project aims to enable the Université d'Abomey-Calavi to develop a specialization in democracy and governance that is adapted to the reality and context of Benin and other countries in West and Central Africa.

Key results to date: The office of the rector of the Université Abomey-Calavi (UAC) has officially sanctioned the new diploma program (DESS) in democracy and governance developed through the project. In addition to a new classroom built and equipped specifically for this program, the resource and information centres have been merged, granting students easier access. Eight faculty members from UAC have received professional development fellowships and are now teaching most courses. To date, 94 students, including nine students from the sub-region have been trained. A majority of the students hold senior executive positions in the government or in other organizations involved in democracy and governance. The program also offers short-term training on human rights at the regional level, national information seminars and public lectures. Finally, a model for community-based management of domestic solid wastes in West Africa was developed following an action research conducted in Cotonou.