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The need for strategic planning was a particular emphasis of participants from one party
workshop, but participants – many of whom were themselves leaders from that political party –
noted that their leadership was not open to participatory plan development, and that leaders
themselves do not necessarily have the skills to design or carry out such a plan.
Interestingly, in a separate interview with a deputy chair of that same party, the interviewee
picked up the theme of strategic planning:
The party needs a strategic plan based on situational analysis, addressing simple
terms such as where are we now, where do we go from here, and how can we
reach where we want to go. These are the three main questions that we need to
answer, and it limits the resources that we need, the extent of knowledge we
need…The most difficult factor in administration is change management.
Capable Party Membership
Membership capacity to advance and help shape party interests is limited by party member
awareness of party ideology and internal structures, according to participants of all three party
strategy workshops. Of high priority for these participants was for the party to train and
socialize its own members on topics such as the party constitutions, the legal framework, party
platforms and policies and their responsibilities as party members. Participants noted that
significant hindrances to the parties’ capacity to undertake such trainings are a lack of resources,
and lack of trainers. One idea put forth and seconded by many of the participants was the
development of university programs on these topics, and – resources and expertise permitting –
the development of internal party cadre trainings divisions.
In an interview, one high ranking party official noted that: "The most important thing which has
an impact on party’s development is the training. The political parties are new and they need to
get someone who has more experience than them. That is the main need which the political
party needs."
Defined and Functioning Departmental Structures
All three political parties noted the need to complete and harmonize internal party regulations
among party members, including standing procedures and job responsibilities, though these
were prioritized as low. In discussions, participants noted that internal regulations should be
reviewed and amended as necessary, but more importantly, that various party positions do not
have clear duties outlined and that the parties suffer from poor division of labor.
Internal Communication
Internal communication was cited by two of the parties as in need of reform, in particular to
increase the regularity and quantity of communication from party leadership to members. Aside
from suggesting that the parties should open offices at all levels to make it easier for members
to communicate within the party, participants had few suggestions on how to advance this, nor
did they note the need for horizontal communication.
