With the general elections slated for November this year, the Namibia Institute for Democracy (NID) is carrying out civic education campaigns countrywide. 

The institute paid a visit to Unam's Rundu Campus to engage students in the "Namibia Needs Me" campaign.

The "Namibia Needs Me" campaign is all about strengthening democratic participation, and NID's Executive Director, Naita Hishoono, says institutions like universities are a great place to start.

"It's about informing citizens about their rights and responsibilities and how they can involve themselves peacefully in our political processes in the country. We are explaining to the people: who are the institutions? What are the procedures and what are the processes in our country. We are a democratic country, and our constitution gives us the rights and responsibilities to be involved."

Hishoono talks about how the "Namibia Needs Me" project has been received by various Namibians countrywide.

"It's well received, but it's just in the beginning stages; few people still know about it. That's why we have a multi-media campaign, and we tell everybody. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and visit our website. NID itself has been doing this work for the past 33 years, so this is not news, but it's just a reminder."

Electoral Commissioner Dr. Gerson Sindano, says it should not just be the responsibility of the ECN and institutions like NID to impart civic education related knowledge.

"I think it should be the work of anybody, including members of society, to participate in promoting civic education. So people can understand their rights and the need to promote democracy. I always argue that if there was a fabric of political space time, at the core, at the centre, lies electoral democracy."

SRC Vice President at Unam's Rundu Campus, Anna Kanyanga, says the "Namibia Needs Me" campaign presents meaningful dialogues essential to contributing to the greater development of the country.

"The betterment of our university and community is collectively being responsible in our collective actions by actively participating in initiatives that improve academic results, foster social cohesion, and integrate cultural narratives into research. We are not merely shaping our individual selves but contributing to the broader development of Namibia as a whole."

The "Namibia Needs Me" project is implemented by NID in collaboration with the Hanns Seidel Foundation and the European Union.