Zambia Grade 11 Civic Education

This information is based on the textbook "Civic Education Grade 11 - A Zambian Perspective" by Gidemy Press.

1. Civil Society and the Media in Governance

What is Civil Society?

Civil society refers to non-governmental organizations and individuals promoting and defending good governance principles. It encompasses organizations and social relationships outside government control, including every non-military individual outside the government.

Characteristics of Civil Society:

• Not guided by a regulatory framework
• Not profit-making
• Supported by donors and other institutions
• Shapes its own needs and interests
• Operates within a specific environment
• Membership drawn from formal and informal organizations

Classification of Civil Society in Zambia:

• International Organizations: These operate as chapters of international bodies. Examples include:
• Inter African Network for Human Rights and Development (AFRONET)
• The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
• Transparent International Zambia (TIZ)
• Women In Law and Development in Africa (WILDAF)
• Women In law In Southern Africa (WILSA)
• Pressure Groups (Interest Groups): These aim to influence government policy. Examples include:
• Citizens Forum
• Oasis Forum
• The Committee for Clean Campaign (CCC)
• The Zambia Consumer Association (ZCA)
• Civic Organizations: Focus on civic education, human rights, and good governance. Examples include:
• Anti-Voter Apathy Programme (AVAP)
• Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP)
• Non-Governmental Organizations Coordinating Committee (NGOCC)
• Operation Young Vote (OYV)
• The National Movement against corruption (NAMAAC)
• Zambia Civic Education Organization (ZCEA)
• Women's Groups: Advocate for women's rights. Examples include:
• Forum for Women Educationalists of Zambia (FAWEZA)
• National Women’s Lobby Group (NWLG)
• Women For Change (WC)
• Women in Development
• Young Women Christian Association (YWCA)
• Zambia Alliance of Women (ZAW)
• Professional Associations: Represent specific professions. Examples include:
• Press Association of Zambia (PAZA)
• The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ)
• Zambia Independent Media Association (ZIMA)
• Industrial Organizations: Represent specific industries. Examples include:
• Labour Movement (Trade Unions)
• Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM)
• Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZAAC)
• Zambia Cross Border Traders Association (ZCBBTA)
• Zambia Federation for Women In Business (ZFWB)
• Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU)
• Religious Organizations: Examples include:
• Caritas Zambia
• Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ)
• Islamic Association Of Zambia (IAZ)
• Young Men Christian Association (YMCA)

Roles of Civil Society:

• Agents of democratic change
• Facilitate citizen participation in decision-making
• Link between community and government
• Conduct civic education activities
• Influence legislation
• Defend human rights and rule of law
• Promote democracy and accountability
• Influence public opinion
• Articulate demands of members

Requirements for Establishing a Civil Society:

• Respectful and accepting government
• Proactive population
• Citizens accepting diverse views
• Favorable laws protecting freedom of expression
• Existence of a specific problem to address

2. Citizen Participation in Governance

Citizen participation is the involvement of people in decision-making.

Forms of Citizen Participation:

• Political Activities: Voting, joining political parties, campaigning, contacting representatives.
• Civil Society Organizations: Attending seminars, joining organizations, participating in demonstrations.
• Community Activities: Attending community meetings, participating in local projects, signing petitions.

Women's Participation in Governance:

Historically, women have been underrepresented in governance in Zambia. While there has been some improvement, representation still falls below regional targets. Obstacles include cultural norms, male economic dominance, lack of solidarity among women, and political discrimination.

Need for Citizen Participation:

Citizen participation is crucial for a functioning democracy. Without it, citizens may remain uninformed, government may lack accountability, and poor policies may go unchecked.

3. The Media

Media acts as a go-between, disseminating information to a large audience.

Types of Media:

• Print Media: Newspapers, magazines, posters, brochures.
• Electronic Media: Radio, television, internet.

Media can also be classified by ownership:

• Public Media: Owned and controlled by the state.
• Private Media: Owned by private companies or institutions.

News Agencies: Collect and supply information to media institutions.

Role of Media in Good Governance:

• Inform and educate citizens
• Act as a watchdog, holding officials accountable
• Promote public debate
• Set the agenda for public discourse

Shortcomings of the Media:

• Ownership and control can bias information
• Accessibility can be limited
• Cost can restrict access for some
• May not cater to all needs (e.g., people with disabilities)

Freedom of the Media:

Essential for unbiased public service. Includes freedom of ownership, access, and publication; the public's right to be informed; and protection of media practitioners.

4. Economic and Social Development

Development is the process of improving the quality of human life, involving change and improvement in basic needs provision.

Economic Development: Increased technologies, standard of living, and productive capacity. Achieved through agricultural expansion, producing for export, expanding manufacturing, improving technologies, and improving skills.

Social Development: Improvement in the standard of living, encompassing human rights, good governance, access to education and healthcare, and opportunities for individuals. Poverty is a major obstacle to social development.

Basic Human Needs: Things people cannot do without, divided into goods (tangible items) and services (activities or benefits).

Factors of Production: Resources necessary for production (satisfying wants).

• Land: Natural resources.
• Labor: Human effort, categorized as skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled. Efficiency of labor is affected by education, working conditions, welfare services, and motivation.
• Capital: Human-made resources used in production. Types include working capital (for daily expenses) and fixed capital (physical assets).
• Entrepreneurship: Combining factors of production to create goods and services.

Capital Accumulation: Increasing the production of capital goods. Affected by low incomes, consumption habits, extended family systems, lack of future planning, lack of investment knowledge, social status, imported finished products, and poverty.

Banking: Saving money in a financial institution.

• Central Bank (Bank of Zambia): Regulates the banking system, manages government revenues, issues currency.
• Commercial Banks: Provide banking services to the public, including collecting funds, transferring money, lending, and offering advice. Account types include current accounts and deposit accounts.
• Other Financial Institutions: National Savings and Credit Bank, Development Bank of Zambia, Zambia National Building Society, Lusaka Stock Exchange.

Insurance: Protection against risk.

Work Culture: Attitudes and values towards work.

• Negative Work Culture: Low effort, lack of initiative, poor workmanship.
• Positive Work Culture: Hard work, productivity, initiative, pride in work.

Formal and Informal Sectors:

• Formal Sector: Government, public enterprises, private companies, commercial farming.
• Informal Sector: Subsistence farming, private work.

The informal sector plays a significant role in national development by contributing to the economy, providing employment, offering training, and providing infrastructure.