SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP AND CULTURAL DEMOCRACY IN EAST AFRICA (EAC)

  • PIERRE CELESTIN RWIGEMA, PhD, PGDE Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology
Keywords: Sustainable development, East African Community (EAC), Effective leadership, Cultural democracy, Environmental conservation, Economic empowerment, Regional integration

Abstract

Sustainable development is a critical goal for nations across the globe, particularly in regions like East Africa where socio-economic challenges are prevalent. This document explores the role of effective leadership and cultural democracy in fostering sustainable development in East Africa. Drawing on scholarly literature, case studies, and expert opinions, it examines how leadership practices and cultural values can be leveraged to address environmental, economic, and social concerns. By promoting inclusivity, participatory decision-making, and respect for diverse cultural identities, East African countries can embark on a path towards sustainable development. This paper provides insights and recommendations for policymakers, community leaders, and stakeholders to promote sustainable development through effective leadership and cultural democracy in East Africa. From the findings East Africa encompasses a diverse array of nations, cultures, and ecosystems. While the region holds immense potential for economic growth and development, it also faces significant challenges such as poverty, environmental degradation, and social inequality. Achieving sustainable development in East Africa requires innovative approaches that integrate effective leadership and cultural democracy into policy and decision-making processes. As any organizations culture is formed by its history, vision, values, practices, behaviors, beliefs, routine people its business and how people relate and communicate. Best leaders are those with the ability to relate and guide better working and living relationships among citizens. By advocating for effective leadership that respect and interpret East African cultural values into democratic process. The research aims to promote strategies for fostering inclusive development that aligns with local norms and tradition.

Author Biography

PIERRE CELESTIN RWIGEMA, PhD, PGDE, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology

Former Member of East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), (2012-2022)

PhD & Masters Research Panelist – JKUAT, ULK

References

Acemoglu, D., & Robinson, J. A. (2012). Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty. Crown Business.

African Union Commission. (2015). Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. Retrieved from https://au.int/en/agenda2063

African Union. (2015). Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. https://au.int/en/agenda2063/overview

African Union. (2018). Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area. https://au.int/en/treaties/agreement-establishing-african-continental-free-trade-area

Avolio, B. J., & Bass, B. M. (1994). Improving organizational effectiveness through transformational leadership. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Awotona, A. (2019). Sustainable development in Africa. Routledge.

Belayneh, B. (2019). The Role of Leadership in Sustainable Development: A Case Study of Rwanda. Journal of Leadership Studies, 13(2), 72–86.

Berkes, F. (2009). Indigenous ways of knowing and the study of environmental change. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 39(4), 151-156.

Brundtland, G. H. (2017). Our Common Future. Oxford University Press.

Bump, M. (2020). Women in Power: Rwanda's Path to Gender Equality. Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/blog/women-power-rwandas-path-gender-equality

Burnet, J. (2015). Genocide Lives in Us: Women, Memory, and Silence in Rwanda. University of Wisconsin Press.

Cohen, J. L. (2000). For cultural democracy. Political Theory, 28(1), 5-34.

Cotula, L. (2019). Rwanda’s Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy. International Institute for Environment and Development. Retrieved from https://pubs.iied.org/17365IIED/

Dahl, R. A. (1971). Polyarchy: Participation and Opposition. Yale University Press.

De Luca, G. (2021). Tanzania’s Fragile Transition. Journal of Democracy, 32(1), 152-165.

Diamond, L. (2008). The Spirit of Democracy: The Struggle to Build Free Societies Throughout the World. Times Books.

Diamond, L. (2015). The Democratic Rollback: The Resurgence of the Predatory State. Foreign Affairs.

Diao, X., McMillan, M., & Rodrik, D. (2012). The Recent Growth Boom in Developing Economies: A Structural-Change Perspective. World Bank Economic Review, 26(1), 1-30.

EAC. (2017). East African Community Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Framework. https://www.eac.int/department/sectoral-coordination-social-development/195-sustainable-development-goals-sdgs

East African Community. (2016). East African Community Vision 2050. Retrieved from https://www.eac.int/documents/category/strategic-documents

East African Community. (2020). EAC Sustainable Development Goals Scorecard. Retrieved from https://www.eac.int/statistics/sdg/sdgscorecard

EPA. (2020). The Clean Air Act. https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean-air-act

Escobar, A. (1998). Whose Knowledge, Whose Nature? Biodiversity, Conservation, and the Political Ecology of Social Movements. Journal of Political Ecology, 5(1), 53-82.

Esping-Andersen, G. (1990). The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism. Princeton University Press.

Fukuyama, F. (2014). Political Order and Political Decay: From the Industrial Revolution to the Globalization of Democracy. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Government of Burundi. (2011). National Cultural Heritage Policy.

Government of Burundi. (2015). Burundi National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. Retrieved from http://www.environnement.gov.bi/

Government of Burundi. (2018). Burundi National Development Plan. Retrieved from http://www.mineeconomie.gov.bi/

Government of Kenya. (2007). Kenya Vision 2030: A Globally Competitive and Prosperous Kenya.

Government of Kenya. (2018). Big Four Agenda. Retrieved from http://www.vision2030.go.ke/

Government of Kenya. (2018). Kenya National Electrification Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.kplc.co.ke/content/dam/kplc/documents/other%20files/KENYA%20NATIONAL%20ELECTRIFICATION%20STRATEGY%202018%20%20to%202022.pdf

Government of Kenya. (2018). National Climate Change Action Plan 2018-2022.

Government of Kenya. (2020). Sustainable Urban Mobility and Accessibility Program (SUMAP). Retrieved from https://www.sumap.co.ke/uploads/7/2/7/5/72751839/nmt-policy-booklet-final-2019.pdf

Government of Kenya. (2030). National Tourism Blueprint. Retrieved from https://tfc.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/National-Tourism-Blueprint-2020-2030.pdf

Government of Rwanda. (2011). National Strategy for Climate Change and Low Carbon Development.

Government of Rwanda. (2019). Rwanda Vision 2050. Retrieved from https://www.rdb.rw/fileadmin/user_upload/strategic_plan/Rwanda_Vision_2050.pdf

Government of South Sudan. (2011). National Archives and Library Act.

Government of Tanzania. (2011). Kilimo Kwanza (Agriculture First): An Integrated Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation in Tanzania 2011/2012-2020/2021. Retrieved from http://www.mifugouvuvi.go.tz/assets/files/kilimo_kwanza.pdf

Government of Tanzania. (2012). Tanzania National Climate Change Strategy.

Government of Tanzania. (2012). Tanzania National Climate Change Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.nemc.or.tz/publications/

Government of Tanzania. (2019). Sustainable Industrial Development Policy 2019.

Government of Uganda. (1959). Uganda National Cultural Centre Act.

Government of Uganda. (2012). National Environment Management Policy.

Government of Uganda. (2013). National Agricultural Policy: Enhancing Agricultural Productivity, Commercialization and Value Addition for Improved Livelihoods. Retrieved from https://www.fao.org/3/i3388e/i3388e.pdf

Government of Uganda. (2015). National Cultural Policy.

Government of Uganda. (2015). Uganda Cultural Policy.

Government of Uganda. (2019). Uganda National Environment Management Policy. Retrieved from https://www.nema.go.ug/

Government of Uganda. (2020). National Development Plan III 2020/21 – 2024/25.

Government of Uganda. (2020). Uganda Vision 2040. Retrieved from https://www.npa.go.ug/

Hassan, S. S. (2021). Speech by H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, during the launching of the Zanzibar Urban Services Project. Retrieved from https://www.statehouse.go.tz/

Hick, R. (2006). Exploring Cultural Democracy: The Importance of Heritage, Community and Place. Routledge.

Ingelaere, B., & Verpoorten, M. (2012). The gacaca trials in Rwanda: Restorative justice after genocide. African Affairs, 111(443), 379–397.

Ingelaere, B., Verpoorten, M., & Warzynski, F. (2016). Ethnic favoritism: An axiom of politics? Evidence from five field experiments in Rwanda. American Economic Review, 106(7), 1863-1893.

Kabubo-Mariara, J., Karanja, F. K., & Nzuma, J. M. (2012). Child nutrition in Kenya: situational analysis. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 12(5), 6362-6380.

Kamau, J. (2017). The Role of Creative Economy in Promoting Sustainable Development in Kenya. In Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Arts, Design, and Contemporary Education (pp. 221-227).

Kasimbazi, E. (2016). Cultural democracy and development in Uganda: Perspectives from the field. Journal of Cultural Economics, 40(2), 141-156.

Kavishe, G. F., & Mtaita, J. B. (2018). Indigenous education in Tanzania: A review of past practices, current status, and future prospects. International Journal of Education Development, 62, 122-128.

Kelly, M. (2008). Cultural Democracy: Politics, Media, New Technology. Cambridge University Press.

Kelsall, T. (2013). Political Settlements and the Governance of Growth-Enhancing Institutions. Development Policy Review, 31(s1), s49-s67.

Kenya Film Commission. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://kenyafilmcommission.com/about-us/

Kenya Vision 2030. (n.d.). Overview of Kenya Vision 2030. Retrieved from http://vision2030.go.ke/

Kolk, A., & Lenfant, F. (2020). Corporate sustainability in the USA: A comprehensive overview of practices, initiatives, and trends. Business Strategy and the Environment, 29(5), 1911-1932.

Kothari, U., & Kapoor, D. (2000). Rethinking Democracy: Participatory Democracy, the World Bank, and the Social Capital Discourse in Tanzania. World Development, 28(5), 1017-1034.

Lefko, A. (2017). Leadership in conflict transformation: The case of the Jonglei peace initiative in South Sudan. In P. F. Diehl, C. Flint, & J. T. Mattock (Eds.), Case studies in ethics and diplomacy (pp. 237-248). Georgetown University Press.

Lipset, S. M. (1959). Some Social Requisites of Democracy: Economic Development and Political Legitimacy. American Political Science Review.

Makinda, S. M. (2017). Civil society and democratization in Tanzania: A critical analysis. Democratization, 24(1), 135-150.

Mbilinyi, M. (2016). Leadership and governance in Tanzania: Towards a new paradigm? Journal of Political Sciences & Public Affairs, 4(194), 2.

Mbilinyi, M., & Ramadhani, A. (2017). Indigenous knowledge, cultural practices, and sustainable development in Africa. In B. Nyamnjoh (Ed.), Cultural practices and sustainable development in Africa (pp. 54-69). Langaa RPCIG.

Mekonnen, M. M., & Hoekstra, A. Y. (2016). Four billion people facing severe water scarcity. Science Advances, 2(2), e1500323.

Ministère de la Culture. (2018). "Projet de développement culturel et touristique au Burundi." Retrieved from http://www.burundi-gov.bi/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Projet-de-D%C3%A9veloppement-Culturel-et-Touristique-2018.pdf

Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Tanzania. (2002). National Tourism Development Master Plan. Retrieved from http://tanzania-un.dk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Master_Plan1.pdf

Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Uganda. (2010). Tourism Master Plan 2008/9-2012/13. Retrieved from https://www.visituganda.com/uploads/75877ed74a8fe4b2c8b9.pdf

Morrison, K. (2020). Visionary Leadership: The Case of President Paul Kagame of Rwanda. International Journal of Leadership Studies, 12(1), 45–58.

Mouffe, C. (2005). On the Political. Routledge.

Muggah, R. (2018). The Rising Tide: Climate Change and Africa's Coastal Cities. Africa in Fact, 30, 8-19.

Mukonoweshuro, E. (2019). Sustainable development goals in East Africa: National ownership and regional integration. The Journal of Modern African Studies, 57(3), 393-418.

Muller, J. W. (2016). What is Populism? University of Pennsylvania Press.

Müller, K. (2018). Cultural heritage, peace, and reconciliation in Rwanda: An introduction. Heritage & Society, 11(2), 101-108. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159032X.2018.1502217

Mutai, B. K., & Ruto, S. J. (2016). Indigenous knowledge in managing natural resources for sustainable development in the rangelands of semi-arid Kenya. International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, 8(10), 287-298.

Mutua, M. K. (2019). Sustainable development in Africa: Lessons from eastern and southern Africa. Springer.

Mwakalindile, L. A. (2019). The Contribution of Political Leadership on Governance in Tanzania: A Case Study of the Fifth Phase Government. Journal of Political Science, 29, 24-39.

Mwakalinga, J. (2019). The Role of Culture in Development: A Case of Tanzania. In T. N. Olaniyan & R. Falola (Eds.), The Palgrave Handbook of African Colonial and Postcolonial History (pp. 1–22). Palgrave Macmillan.

National Museums of Kenya. (n.d.). About Us.

Njogu, K., & Nguhiu, P. (2018). Visionary leadership and sustainable development in Africa. African Journal of Public Affairs, 11(1), 32-48.

Nkurunziza, J. D., & Oucho, J. O. (2018). Governance and development in East Africa. Routledge.

Nkurunziza, P. (2006). "Speech by His Excellency Pierre Nkurunziza, President of the Republic of Burundi." United Nations Peacekeeping. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/past/burundi/pdfs/0725%20Burundi.pdf

Norris, P. (2011). Democratic Deficit: Critical Citizens Revisited. Cambridge University Press.

Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and practice (8th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Sage Publications.

Norton-Griffiths, M., & Said, M. Y. (2015). Maasai Community Conservation in the Amboseli Ecosystem, Kenya. In Protected Land: Disturbance, Rehabilitation and Restoration (pp. 49-66). Springer.

Nsubuga, F. N. (2018). Community-based conservation and livelihoods improvement around protected areas in Uganda. Human Ecology, 46(4), 603-614.

Obeng-Odoom, F. (2018). Beyond the Washington consensus: The political economy of bad leadership and underdevelopment in Africa. Oxford Development Studies, 46(3), 303-317.

Osbahr, H., Dorward, P., Stern, R., Cooper, S., & Upadhyaya, H. (2010). Linking science and development: A case study of interdisciplinary research in West Africa. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 12(5), 799-811.

Osman, F., & Dora, J. (2017). Sustainable development goals: An effective tool for national development. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 8(4), 34-42.

Przeworski, A., Alvarez, M. E., Cheibub, J. A., & Limongi, F. (2000). Democracy and Development: Political Institutions and Well-Being in the World, 1950-1990. Cambridge University Press.

Republic of Kenya. (2016). Huduma Kenya Programme. Retrieved from https://www.hudumakenya.go.ke/

Republic of South Sudan. (2017). National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2017-2026. Retrieved from https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/ss/ss-nbsap-v3-en.pdf

Rwanda Governance Board. (2019). National Culture Policy for Rwanda. Kigali: Rwanda Governance Board.

Sen, A. (2006). Identity and violence: The illusion of destiny. W.W. Norton & Company.

Smith, A. B. (2020). Indigenous language policy in Tanzania: An analysis of ideology, practice, and implications for educational policy. Language Policy, 19(3), 315-339.

South Sudan Theatre Organization (SSTO). (n.d.). About SSTO. Retrieved from http://www.southsudantheatreorganization.com/about-us/

The World Bank. (2021). Rwanda: Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment. https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/rwanda/overview#3

UNDESA. (2019). World Urbanization Prospects: The 2018 Revision. United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division.

UNDP. (2018). Cultural Democracy in East Africa: Challenges and Opportunities. Retrieved from https://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/Environment%20and%20Energy/Bio%20diversity/Cultural%20democracy%20in%20East%20Africa%20Challenges%20and%20opportunities.pdf

UNECA. (2019). Youth Unemployment and Job Creation: A Regional Overview and Recommendations for Policy Reform in North Africa. United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

UNECA. (2020). Economic Report on Africa 2020: Developing Africa's Workforce for the Future. United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

UNEP. (2020). Leadership for Sustainable Development: A Pathway for Africa. Retrieved from https://www.unep.org/resources/report/leadership-sustainable-development-pathway-africa

UNESCO. (2017). Cultural Democracy in Africa: Challenges and Prospects. Retrieved from https://en.unesco.org/news/cultural-democracy-africa-challenges-and-prospects

UNESCO. (2017). Cultural Rebuilding in Rwanda: The Ingando Camps. Retrieved from https://en.unesco.org/courier/may-august-2017/cultural-rebuilding-rwanda-ingando-camps

UNESCO. (2020). Education for sustainable development: Learning to act, acting to learn. UNESCO Publishing.

UNESCO. (2020). Sustainable Development through Education in Africa. Retrieved from https://en.unesco.org/themes/education-sustainable-development-africa

United Nations Development Programme. (2020). "Greening Burundi: A Pathway to Sustainable Development." Retrieved from https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/environment-energy/greening-burundi--a-pathway-to-sustainable-development.html

United Nations Development Programme. (2020). Tanzania: Sustainable Development Goals. Retrieved from https://www.tz.undp.org/content/tanzania/en/home/sustainable-development-goals.html

United Nations. (2015). Paris Agreement. https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement

United Nations. (2015). The Paris Agreement. Retrieved from https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement

United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Retrieved from https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda

United Nations. (2019). Sustainable development goals report 2019. United Nations Publications. Maathai, W. (1986). The Green Belt Movement: Sharing the approach and the experience. Environment, 28(6), 4-15.

United Republic of Tanzania. (2013). National Cultural Policy.

World Commission on Environment and Development. (1987). Our common future. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Published
2024-03-10
Section
Articles