A delegation made up of the PASCAL team, the Angolan government and civil society organizations is taking part in a study visit to Lithuania from 22 to 28 April 2024, as part of the European Union-funded project “PASCAL Support”.
The delegation includes the Secretary of State for Territorial Administration, the Vice-Governor of Huíla for the social area, municipal administrators, local administration technicians, Angolan diplomats in Poland, the PASCAL team, represented by the Project Director, Pablo López Deán, the Civil Society Specialist, Analdina Nouemou and the Communication Specialist, Nelson Rodrigues, and representatives of civil society organizations in Angola.
The first day of the study visit was marked by an intense program of learning and exchange of experiences in Vilnius, with a focus on strengthening the participation of civil society in the public policy process. The Vilnius Institute of International Relations and Political Science hosted a debate on the importance of civil society in building effective public policies.
Verónica Pereira, from the Mosaiko Institute for Citizenship, opened the event with a talk on the interactions between civil society and the Angolan government, highlighting the mutual benefits and the challenges to be overcome. The debate was attended by government and civil society representatives from both nations. The central theme was communication and collaboration between these organizations.
Gaja Šavelė, Martynas Šiurkus, Teresa Quivienguele, Mauro Paciência, Modestas Bastys and Verónica Pereira presented a variety of views on the relationship between governments and society, emphasizing the need for constant dialogue in order to develop more inclusive and representative public policies.
This first day not only provided a solid theoretical basis for the coming days, but also reaffirmed the commitment to transparency, collaboration and the strengthening of civil society as a pillar of governance. The visit continues with activities planned to promote the exchange of knowledge and experiences between Angola and Lithuania.