Stages of Citizen Engagement: Institutional Framework

Transcription

1 Stages of Citizen Engagement: Institutional Framework Experts Group Meeting on Citizen Engagement in Post 2015 Development Agenda DPADM / DESA 03 December 2012

2 Outline Why engage citizens? Terms and definitions DESA/DPADM model for Citizen Engagement Data from 193 UN Member States Interim findings and key observations Q&A 2

3 Citizen Engagement Post-2015 Rio+20 Summit on Sustainable Development: stressed effective governance at local, national, regional and global levels as representing the voices and interests of all resolved to enhance participation and effective engagement of civil society Hence, the imperative of participation and engaging citizens at national and global levels for better developmental results. 3

4 What do we mean by Participation? UN Public Administration Glossary on Citizen participation: implies the involvement of citizens in a wide range of policymaking activities, including the determination of levels of service, budget priorities, and the acceptability of physical construction projects in order to orient government programs toward community needs, build public support, and encourage a sense of cohesiveness within neighborhoods. Source: UN World Public Sector Report

5 What do we mean by Engagement? 1 The UN Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA) refers to Citizen Engagement as: The desired outcome or logical end of participatory governance. Source: UN Documents, (E/C.16/2007/2) 5

6 What do we mean by Engagement? 2 The OECD refers to: Participatory governance as: A fundamental and important human right, in that individuals want to participate in shaping the circumstances of their lives rather than feel captive to the situations that surround them. A process of change involving three steps: information, consultation and active participation, which exemplify government-citizen relationships Source: OECD, Citizens as Partners: Information, Consultation and Public Participation in Policy-making. 6

7 What do we mean by Engagement? 3 UN DESA/DPADM working definition: Citizen engagement in public administration implies the involvement of citizens in decision-making process of the State through measures and/or institutional arrangements - so as to increase their influence on public policies and programmes ensuring a more positive impact on their social and economic lives. Source: Working definition for the United Nations Public Administration Country Studies (UNPACS) - Citizen Engagement Research And Content Development Methodology 7

8 DPADM model of Citizen Engagement Three layers: INFORMATION STAGE: Preconditions for Citizen Engagement CONSULTATION STAGE: Actions for Citizen Consultation DECISION-MAKING STAGE: Interactive Group Processes of Citizen Engagement 8

9 INFORMATION STAGE Consists of the active measures by government to disseminate information, - e.g. the right to information clauses in legal documents, including in Constitutions, Freedom of Information Acts, etc. - and the access to information upon demand by citizens 9

10 CONSULTATION STAGE Connotes the conditions that make it easier for government-citizen interactions to occur, provided that the government requests such a dialogue. e.g. the consultative process between a government and a citizen, or groups of citizens. 10

11 DECISION-MAKING STAGE Denotes the conditions that make it easier for government-citizen interactions to occur provided that the citizens are empowered to participate in the decision-making processes and, in some cases, request such an interaction. e.g. the active participation of citizens in decision making processes related to policy design, implementation, and subsequent monitoring and evaluation. 11

12 Snapshot on Citizen Engagement for the UN Member States United Nations Public Administration Country Studies (UNPACS) 12

13 UNPACS 193 countries provide comparative information for 193 Member States are organized around four dimensions or variables of public administration: (i) policy and regulatory frameworks, (ii) organizational frameworks, (iii) channels and modalities, and (iv) cases of effective practices. attempt to capture the key aspects of Institutionalization of Citizen Engagement 13

14 UNPACS framework on Citizen Engagement INFORM CONSULT DECISION-MAKING Organizational Framework Regulatory Framework Constitution Freedom of Information Act Information Commissioner Date Protection Act Privacy Commissioner Economic and Social Council - Legislation Economic and Social Council - Institution Legislation on CE in D-M process D-M institution 14

15 UNPACS - Constitutions, FOIAs, DPAs as institutionalized framework to access public information The right to information and provisions important for Citizen Engagement Explicit articles providing for the access to public information Restrictions to access to public information Protected and/or classified data categories Information Stage Any designated institutions that ensure implementation of specified Laws and Acts? 15

16 UNPACS - Consultation Stage Economic and Social Councils or similar institutions as institutionalized framework for consultative processes: The purpose of establishment of the consultative institution (e.g. ESC) Provisions and arrangements for consultative processes Typology of ESC (e.g. forum for inter-sectoral/social dialogue, advisory body) 16

17 UNPACS - Possible Institutions for further inquiry: Public Administration Ministries, Ministries for Planning, Ministries for Development etc. Decision-Making Stage Does the Institution have a mandate to encourage public/citizen participation in decision-making processes when defining public policies or development priorities? Are there mechanisms for citizens to get directly involved in public policy formulation processes, if yes, what means of participation exist: i. through E-participation ii. though independent/civic groups iii. though ad-hoc processes iv. Other (including town hall meetings, etc.) Are there any legal/regulatory documents) providing for citizen engagement in decisionmaking processes? 17

18 UNPACS - Decision-Making Stage Examples of Involving Citizens in Decision Making process 1 Algeria: The National Rural Development Strategy (through Proximity Projects of Integrated Rural Development - PPDRI) aims at allowing popular participation, local partnerships, respect for ecological balance and the pursuit of economic efficiency ( 18

19 UNPACS - Decision-Making Stage Examples of Involving Citizens in Decision Making process 2 Italy: Regional Law No. 3 of 9 February 2010 (Emilia Romagna region) contains norms on the promotion of procedures for consultation and participation in defining regional and local development policies ( 19

20 UNPACS - Decision-Making Stage Examples of Involving Citizens in Decision Making process 3 Morocco: The new Constitution mandates public consultation including its related rights and obligations. A government-wide public consultation policy (draft laws and regulations) is being drafted to ensure citizen engagement in the decision-making process and help inform the policy process. 20

21 Interim Findings - INFORMATION Oceania 40 Europe Asia CONST FOIA DPA Americas Africa 21

22 Interim Findings: INFORMATION Constitutions of UN Member States with provisions on the right to Information Africa Americas Asia Europe Oceania ESCWA+ECA 22

23 Interim Findings: INFORMATION FOIA DPA Africa Americas Asia Europe Oceania ESCWA+ECA 23

24 Interim Findings - CONSULTATION Oceania Europe Asia Americas Africa 0 ESC_LEX ESC_ORG 24

25 Interim Findings: CONSULTATION ESC_LEX ESC_ORG Africa Americas Asia Europe Oceania ESCWA+ECA 25

26 What is an ESC? International Association of Economic and Social Councils (AICESIS): ESC are independent assemblies established in their national constitutions, either by a law or a decree, or else officially recognized by the public authorities; moreover, they genuinely represent economic and social interests. Source:

27 Economic and Social Councils KENYA FRANCE ROMANIA Purpose Typology To provide expert advice on economic and social matters to H.E. thepresident and the Cabinet. standing committee comprising of eminent persons chaired by H.E the President or Hon. Minister for Finance To issue opinions &recommendations to the government on matters of economic and social relevance constitutional, representative assembly independent of both the Executive and Parliament with advisory function To achieve social dialogue between employers, trade unions and the Government, and build a climate of stability and social peace. autonomous tripartite public institution of national interest with advisory functions 27

28 Key Observations 28

29 Key Observations CONST 40 Africa Americas 20 ESC_ORG FOIA Asia 5 0 Europe Oceania ESC_LEX DPA ESCWA+ECA 29

30 Key Observations Oceania Europe Asia Americas CONST+FOIA+DPA+ESC_I CONST+FOIA+DPA Africa CONST+FOIA

31 ESCWA & ECA North Africa Comparison between % of Countries WORLD and ESCWA&ECA/NA 60% 54% WORLD 50% 40% 47% 37% ESCWA+ECA 42% 30% 31% 24% 24% 20% 18% 10% 12% 6% 0% CONST FOIA DPA ESC_LEX ESC_ORG 31

32 Key Observations - summary More than one hundred UN Member states have the Right to Information provided in their Constitutions And 60-80% of them have further enacted legislations on the Freedom of Information and Data Protection More than 80 Member Stated have respective legislations and designated institutions to facilitate consultations within their societies Provision of information is more institutionalized than consultation processes 32

33 Thank you for your attention.