More than 20 representatives of 10 different political parties in the country, with and without parliamentary seats, have benefited from the second course on "Leadership and Personal Development" by the Leadership Academy of Guinea-Bissau.

This training is part of two major training initiatives of the Leadership Academy, which had as its first group the heads of public institutions under the theme "Leadership and the Public Service".

This one-week training was conducted by the Pedro Pires Institute for Leadership of Cape Verde with the support of two national trainers of the Leadership Academy. Different themes were addressed such as personal development and the politicization of public administration, among others.

The last day of the training was graced by the Executive Director of the Pedro Pires Institute (IPP), Indira Pires, who came from Cape Verde specifically to attend the closing ceremony and to participate in the presentation of certificates.

The event was also attended by the Deputy Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Mr. Jose Levy, and the Director-General of the National School of Administration (ENA), Agostinho Baiem Fande.

The General Manager of the National School of Administration (ENA) as host and strategic partner of this initiative congratulated UNDP and the Pedro Pires Institute for the work they have been doing since the official launch of the academy in May of this year.  

Agostinho Baiem Fande said that he hopes that the trainees serve as agents of change in their respective political parties and in their related duties as civil servants serving the public. He stressed that the Academy was established, "to equip leaders with tools that can bring about change in their leadership and in society".

The Deputy Representative of the United Nations Development Programme congratulated the trainers and trainees, encouraging them to become leaders capable of being transformative citizens and agents of change. 

José Levy, also emphasized that "UNDP, through the leadership academy and other interventions will continue to support capacity building of political party’s members so they can understand their important role in the development process of the country that wants to be democratic". 

"It is by investing in people and in their empowerment that we will be able to overcome the economic and technological backwardness, ignorance, poverty, and social inequalities," said the Executive Director of the Pedro Pires Institute (IPP), Indira Pires.

According to Indira Pires, in the case of Guinea-Bissau, “the Academy is rooted in the hope that young people and women, who are being trained will be able to be part of the broader discussion and implementation of important decisions for the future of the country”.

For Mamadu Saliu Djalo, representative of the New Democracy Party (PND), noted that the training allowed him to have a holistic view of leadership. He disclosed that the onus is now on him to "disseminate the knowledge acquired not only in his party but also for the country, thus contributing to socio-economic and cultural development to ensure social peace and government stability.

For more information, watch the video about the training, its impact and the comments of participants below: