“Parliament and Me,” a new radio talk show in Angola, is working to establish a connection between elected representatives and their constituents as the country rebuilds after a 27-year civil war. The hostilities, which ended in 2002, left the country with its infrastructure in pieces, no nationwide communications network and a lack of certified professionals in everything from accounting to medicine to construction. Now, citizens are looking for ways to participate in the political process to shape their country and benefit from its economic growth.

In a historic step toward a more democratic political system, Angolans held elections for their national parliament in 2008, the first parliamentary poll since 1992. But midway through their first term, the lawmakers and citizens were not interacting with one another, leading parliament to look for ways for citizens and members of parliament (MPs) to come together. No mechanism existed that allowed MPs to explain what they were doing on the job every day.

Similarly, citizens felt disconnected from their representatives. They lacked a connection to the political system and didn’t see any direct connection between government and their everyday lives.

That’s where “Parliament and Me” came in. NDI partnered with Radio Ecclesia, a local radio station with a wide audience in the capital city, and a local, independent radio producer to create the weekly radio program, which educates citizens about the role of parliament. The talk show encourages citizens to link issues they are concerned about and advocacy to the National Assembly. It also provides an objective, balanced presentation of issues being addressed by the parliament.

Each episode of “Parliament and Me” features one MP, interviewed by a journalist, who answers pre-taped questions from citizens and talks about what he or she does during the day and which issues are of particular interest. More than 15 MPs have been interviewed from the five political parties with seats in the National Assembly.

The program is popular among both MPs and listeners. MPs like the format, which gives them a rare platform to talk about their work and initiatives. Deputy Lina Alexandre from the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) said that the program will help citizens to see the parliament as more than just a place for politicians to talk because it shows the daily tasks that engage them.

Deputy Ngola Kabango, bench leader for the National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA), said the mixture of interviews, statements from MPs and comments by legal experts illuminates the country’s political context and highlights what he considers the healthy environment of fair play that exists in parliament.

Listeners like it because it gives them a window into what elected leaders are doing. “Many listeners doubted that they would ever hear MP Norberto dos Santos ‘Kwata Kanawa,’ the current minister of parliamentary affairs, participating in an Ecclesia program,” said Walter Cristovão, the producer of the program. “The program has already circulated messages from the five political parties in parliament, namely the MPLA, UNITA, Social Renewal Party New Democratic Electoral Coalition and the FNLA, bringing MPs closer to citizens.”

The program also explores historical, political and legal issues that many Angolans may not be familiar with otherwise. “Parliament and Me” has covered the origins of the Angolan parliament, the laws it has passed and their importance, the impact of having 39 percent women MPs, and parliament and its role in the fight against corruption, among other topics.

As the show continues to gain audience and popularity, Radio Ecclesia is hoping that citizens will connect issues in their daily lives to actions that their MPs can take, will advocate and petition the parliament accordingly, and will hold members accountable.

Listen to clips of the radio programming (In Portuguese)

Intro to the radio program and its objectives

The role and functions of parliamentary committees

The role of the 5th Committee (Economy and Finance); how to contact MPs; and the oversight role of parliament

The newly-approved Probity Law

The role of the women’s caucus

The role of MPs who represent provincial constituencies; how constituency offices work; and how citizens may contact MPs in the provinces. This selection includes an interview with an MP representing Benguela

A mix of additional selections from the radio program

Pictured Above: Members of Parliament in the Angolan National Assembly

Published July 28, 2010