Activist Hosting Activists

In Madagascar, civic space is currently limited and oppression by the government makes
public protest and campaigns very risky so they are almost non-existent and discredited by
the government. Movements are systematically associated with criminal action or political
opposition, leaving activists feeling powerless.
This exchange was between Ketakandriana Rafitoson (Ke) from Madagascar hosting
Arnab Chakraborty from India. Both community leaders and activists are members of the
GGAN. Ke founded the Learning Initiative Aiming at Nonviolent Actions (LIANA) which
empowers people in political spaces to defend their rights better by advocating for social
justice and democracy. She is also an international board member of Transparency
International working at the grassroots level to tackle corruption. The AHA program was an
opportunity for sharing enriching experience in citizen mobilization with young Malagasy
activists and building relationships and widening the knowledge, skills and training
curriculum for both.
The following are some of the activities involved:
1) Interaction with Transparency International, Madagascar lead Mialisoa
Randriamampianina and other team representatives: Arnab had a discussion
with Lix Rakotoarivelo and learnt about a special program dealing with sexual
corruption using gender perspective since corruption affects women more than
men. Through this project Transparency International (TI) Madagascar did a sexual
corruption study in high school and universities and surveyed parents, students and
teachers. Initially victims were shy but after ensuring anonymity they revealed their
stories. TI-Madagascar also developed a tool which enables parents, students and
teachers to collaborate and fight against sexual corruption in educational institutes.
TI-MG plays an important role in the fight against corruption by providing oversight

and pressure to improve the transparency and accountability of government,
institutions and businesses.
2) Cultural Visit to Queen's Palace: The Palace is known as Manjakamiadana (A
Fine Place to Rule), with a structure that crowns the city's highest hill. Gutted in a
fire in 1995, it remains under endless restoration but the compound can be visited.
The palace was designed for Queen Ranavalona I by Scottish missionary James
Cameron. The outer stone structure was added in 1867 for Queen Ranavalona II,
although the roof and interior. The palace is the resting place of the country’s
greatest monarchs: the most imposing stone tombs are located left of the main
gate. The plain grey ones are those of kings, while the queens are painted red (red
was the colour of nobility).
3) Interaction with Nali Ravoson, Head of Code Menabe, Morondova and her
team representatives. COMMUNICATION POUR LE DEVELOPPEMENT is a
non-governmental organization known by the acronym CODE MENABE. It was
created on February 14, 2001 in Morondava. It is governed by law n°96-030 of July
31, 1996. Code is an autonomous, private, non-profit organization active at regional
and national level. CODE Menabe has declared its vision to be “Sustainable
Change in Governance and Inclusive Local Development in Harmony with Natural
Resources”, and its mission is to “multiply responsible citizens ready to defend
Madagascar's development, starting with that of Menabe while respecting
fundamental rights”.
Arnab Chakraborty shared his own enriching experience in citizen mobilization from rural
areas in Bengal state and Calcutta, Indian with the young Malagasy activists. With the
assistance of local people to overcome language barriers, he was able to intervene and
provide interactive training to several organizations and groups in two cities of
Madagascar, located in distinct regions of Antananarivo and Morondava.
He engaged in in workshops, conferences, webinars, interviews and conversations with
different groups on a number of issues including Gender-Based Violence, Corruption,
Climate action and Nonviolent Action.
Highlights from the visit and lessons.
– Sharing best practices in mobilizing women in India and highlighted several
similarities with the women in Madagascar and reinforcing structural change
through nonviolent civil resistance.
– During the 16 Days of Activism by his host in Madagascar, he presented the
evolution of women's place in India through collective action. Case studies from
India illustrated how effective mobilization can transform social structures but
require structural change driven by movements and collective mobilization around
the cause.
– Arnab led an awareness-raising and empowerment session on the importance of
nonviolent action, illustrated by the impact of his own commitment.
– Through a training program focusing on community mobilization, civil resistance
and activism, the participants were able to organize themselves around nonviolent
movements, thereby influencing decision-makers to take their demands into
account.

Next Steps from the Peer-to-Peer Exchange Visit
– Plan in Madagascar in 2025 to focus on raising awareness of civil resistance
through a campaign on social networks, with engaging and accessible content.
– Create a platform for expression and education aimed at young people in
Madagascar and India, offering short videos, podcasts and interactive debates. The
aim is to tackle key topics in a dynamic and attractive format.