Nice Malawi

Vision

“A well informed, empowered, responsive and transformed Malawian society that actively participates in public life.”

Mission

NICE is a Public Trust committed to deepening democracy and good governance among Malawians through provision of civic and voter education, community empowerment and mobilisation, knowledge management and networking.

Purpose

To enhance the ability of Malawian citizens (including disadvantaged groups) to participate in public life, and to encourage them to exercise their democratic rights and responsibilities, as well as to participate in the democratic decision-making process at community, district and national levels.

Strategic Pillars of NICE

Demand side of Governance (Transparency and Accountability)

Peaceful co-existence and social cohesion

Participation in Public Life

Electoral Processes and Voter Education

Cross Cutting Issues

Knowledge Management, Collaboration and Networking

Institutional Development

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Principles and Values

Independence

NICE is independent and will maintain its autonomy in serving the general public without fear or favour.

Non-partisan

NICE shall conduct its business in a non-partisan manner with objectivity, fairness, balanced and factual accuracy.

Walking the Talk

NICE shall consistently practice its ideals within the institution.

Creativity and innovation

NICE shall utilise the richness of ideas, skills, experiences, and originality in its work while practicing the imaginative skills of both staff and collaborating partners.

Inclusivity and Equity

NICE shall provide equal opportunities to both male and female, and where necessary, shall deliberately work to promote the interest of women, youth, people living with disabilities and the marginalised groups for the realization of equal socioeconomic status in society.

Bottom-up Approach

NICE shall promote bottom up approach in its programming to ensure that its programmes are need-based and people-driven.

Pro-activeness

NICE shall be proactive in the pursuance of its vision and mission by engaging in key democracy and good governance processes and interventions in order to be relevant to society.

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Civic and Voter Education

The National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) is a Civic and Voter Education Public Trust currently funded through the 9th European Development Fund (EDF). NICE was established with an objective of contributing to the strengthening of the democratic process and the increase of good governance in Malawi. It aims at encouraging the Malawian citizenry to actively participate in public life through awareness initiatives and capacity building.

Resource Centres

In order to realize its goal and objectives, NICE set up offices in all the 31 Districts of Malawi with a Regional Office in all the major cities. These regional offices are managed by Regional Civic Educational Officers who coordinate the activities of all districts in their respective regions. Each District Office has a Resource Centre which stocks different types of books on democracy, governance and others. The resource Centres also have daily newspapers available for the community members and they read them for free with an aim of keeping them abreast with issues of national importance. NICE also introduced Computer lessons in some of the districts with an aim of training girls on basic computer lessons. This project is in some few resource centres but with possibility of rolling out in all the 31 Resource Centres.

Success Stories

Since its inception, NICE has reached tens of thousands of people with civic and voter education messages, provided high quality election monitoring, and was highly successful in remaining relevant to the needs of its beneficiaries, the Malawian population.!

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NICE Official Newsletter

Download a copy of NICE Official Newsletter (TAKEPART) December 2016.

Malawi Constitution

Download a copy of the Malawi Constitution here. Be informed and know your rights!

Download a copy of NICE Strategic Plan 2015-2019.

NICE launches female Parliamentarians calendars to raise profile

: Published: 29 September 2016

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Malawi’s female lawmakers’ profiles are expected to be raised and promoted following National Initiative for Civil Education (NICE) launch of calendars.

The calendars launch is a response to the worrying trend over recent studies that representation of women in Parliament remains very low.

For instance the recent studies titled, “Women and Power, Representation and Influence in Malawi’s Parliament” attests to this and goes on to recommendation a number of interventions for addressing this unacceptable situation.

Malewezi hails NICE election role

: Published: 29 September 2016

Malewezi hails NICE election role Malawi’s former Vice President, Right Honourable Justice Chimera Malewezi has praised the national Initiative for Civic Education NICE for the role it is playing in proving civic education in the country.

Right Honorable Malewezi was speaking when he presided over the launch a book co-published by NICE and the Institute for Policy Interaction (IPI).

The book, titled "The Malawi 2014 Tripartite Elections - Is Democracy Maturing?” is an analysis of the May 2014 Tripartite election. It was co-edited by Nandini Patel and Michael Wahman and published with financial support from the European Union and the Government of Malawi.

NICE welcomes new MEC Commissioners, urges them to serve with utmost impartiality and patriotism

: Published: 29 September 2016

ST 2019 Banner National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) has welcomed the appointment of new Commissioners of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).

Section 6(2) of the Electoral Commission Act no. 11 of 1998 as amended provides for appointment Commissioners of the Malawi Electoral Commission by the State President.

President Peter Mutharika recently appointed a new set of commissioners to replace commissioners who oversaw Malawi’s first ever Tri-partite Elections in May 2014 after their term of office expired on May 19 this year.