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Nzunda Memorial Lecture Series

in Honour of the late Hon. Dr Matembo Nzunda

Faculty of Law, University of Malawi

This lecture series is being established by the Law Faculty to honour one of Malawi's most respected jurists and members of Parliament who passed away in 2000 while serving in the Malawi Government. Having taught in the Law Faculty for many years, and with a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge, he was a skilled negotiator, draftsman and orator who used his powerful intellect, sound judgment and disarming sense of humour to promote an appreciation and practical realisation of democratic principles in society. As one of the principal architects and champions of the Malawi Constitution, he was a guiding light in Parliament, in the Government Ministries he headed and in the University. To commemorate his contribution to his country and to the rule of law, the Law Faculty has resolved to establish a memorial lecture series in his honour.

The Governance Curriculum Initiative with support from the Commonwealth of Learning and private benefactors, commissioned a researcher in the summer of 2008 to assemble background materials and develop a programme outline. That work is nearing completion and the report will be posted to this site.

It is envisaged that there will be annual lectures commencing in 2009. The lectures will cover a range of topics that are central to a balanced understanding of good governance such as inclusiveness, democratic participation and political legitimacy, forms of accountability and mechanisms such as transparency and access to information, effectiveness of service delivery, respect for the rule of law and the protection of human rights.

An inaugural event consisting of a panel of experts will provide a general overview of the subject and map out the way forward. Subsequently, periodic lectures will focus on the practical application of governance principles for their more effective realisation. The series will be recorded and a video documentary produced for international distribution.

This series is part of a wider strategy to build and concentrate expertise in various aspects of good governance in the Faculty, which will in due course take the form of a governance lectureship and graduate programme.

Dates will be posted here.

Planning and Coordination: Ms Pasipau Wadonda-Chirwa

Faculty Guidance and Direction: Mr Thokozani Ngwira, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Law

Background Research and Conceptualisation: Ms Sarai Chisala

Planning Assistance: Ms Sarah Rogers

Photography and Recording: Mr Mike Hopkins

Production: AVA Unit, Chancellor

Benefactors: Molacaten Ltd (Netherlands), Good Governance Group (UK)