Governance
Good
Governance... is a notoriously slippery concept, seemingly employed by
many donors to mean simply “the policies we
like”.
Ben Thurley, Tear Australia *
Good governance is essential to eradicating poverty and sustaining the
environment. Honest and accountable government is needed to
ensure that all people, rather than only select groups, share in social
and
economic benefits.
To create honest and accountable governments there need to be:
transparent and equitable systems; clear lines of accountability;
effective participation and representation of civil society –
including the poor and marginalised; and capacity to be responsive to
all people’s rights and needs, in a sustainable manner.*
Good governance is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law. It assures that corruption is minimized, the views of minorities are taken into account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making. It is also responsive to the present and future needs of society.*
Corruption is a major issue for effective governance around the world. It is frequently cited as a reason why aid is not effective and for not providing aid. However a major report on aid and corruption has found that aid is often successful in corrupt environments and that while corruption may be a reason for modifying aid it is not a reason for cutting it. The engagement that comes with aid often brings reform. Countries with high levels of corruption have still managed to grow thier economies and make significant improvements in key health areas.*
Capacity building, access to information and citizen empowerment are keys to reducing corruption. See the pages on ICT for Development, Participation and Empowerment and Capacity.
Good governance is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law. It assures that corruption is minimized, the views of minorities are taken into account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making. It is also responsive to the present and future needs of society.*
Corruption is a major issue for effective governance around the world. It is frequently cited as a reason why aid is not effective and for not providing aid. However a major report on aid and corruption has found that aid is often successful in corrupt environments and that while corruption may be a reason for modifying aid it is not a reason for cutting it. The engagement that comes with aid often brings reform. Countries with high levels of corruption have still managed to grow thier economies and make significant improvements in key health areas.*
Capacity building, access to information and citizen empowerment are keys to reducing corruption. See the pages on ICT for Development, Participation and Empowerment and Capacity.