Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Highlights
Ukrainian report
Editorial Letter Dear colleagues, One of my 2013 New Years resolutions was to get a regular newsletter to you twice a month. Here is our first one. Soon we will be streamlining our mailing lists and launching a website full of resources. Last week in Ireland I saw that a mix of smart networking, creative advocacy and determination from a handful of individuals can spark enthusiasm for OGP in government and parliament. Change agents are connected and the dialogue on priorities started even before a letter of intent was sent. Irish activists learned from the experiences of colleagues in Moldova and Croatia and will now share their insights with colleagues in Uganda that are working in a fresh attempt to convince their government to join OGP. These efforts leave no doubt that positive energy and cooperation are two cornerstones of the Partnership Some other early 2013 highlights: The Ukrainian Institute for Public Policy published a very good report on OGP experiences in 6 countries. The report highlights weaknesses and areas for improvement, but also tells us that if willingness to interact and basic (political) conditions are in place, then fertile ground for cooperation and smart commitments can be created and has been created. Cross-country work is also happening around open government in other regions. In Africa, AFIC (with the support of the World Bank) has started a package of work including regular video conferences to share experiences, get plans and implementation to a higher level and prepare for the African regional meeting later this year. You can view the videoconference here and find an analysis here. One of my takes from the regional meeting in Chile was that the many existing regional networks and coalitions are crucial for cross-country learning and coordination, and for making OGP work. The energetic meeting also highlighted that people are very keen to be included in OGP discussions and governance, that they are watching the IRM closely and are expecting clear communication and answers on a number of topics soon. As said, from our side we will beef up communications in the coming months. Just to reiterate you can always ask questions either to me or to Emilene Martinez by mail, Twitter or Skype and we will be happy to answer them or connect you to the right person within OGP. We will also organize a few calls where you can ask questions or submit concrete suggestions to the civil society Steering Committee members. The next full Steering Committee meeting is in April and it will be good to know what your priorities are before then. Final point for now: dont forget that you can nominate yourself or someone else for the OGP Steering Committee. No better way to voice your critique and suggestions than having a seat directly at the table. You are also very welcome to help us select the best candidates. Best, Paul
cal Researchers
Inside this issue: OGP progress in Eastern 2 Partnership Countries and Russia Submit your Nominations for the Steering Committee Upcoming Events and Webinars News from the IRM Latest from the Civil Society Coordination 3
3 4 4
Page 2
The results of the consultation process were all together quite positive. CSOs that took part in the consultation process in five of the six countries noted that almost all their suggestions were accepted by their governments. The exception was Russia, where negotiations on drafting the National OGP Action Plan have not yet started. In the majority of countriesAzerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine CSOs say that at the end of the consultation process, drafts that had started out vague and unspecific
January 2013
Page 3
Submit Your Nominations for the Steering Committee! (Deadline February 23)
During the last few months our community has worked intensively to design an improved new process for rotation of civil society members of the Steering Committee. Now is the time to nominate the best candidates! From April onwards there will be space for 3 new members that will help address the specific challenges facing OGP in the coming period. This is an opportunity for civil society leaders from across the world to bring their skills, expertise and network to OGP. Of the current nine civil society members in the Steering Committee Tom Blanton (USA The National Security Archive), Gladwell Otieno (Kenya African Center for Open Governance) and Juan Pardinas (Mexico IMCO) have volunteered to rotate off. With your help the process will attract strong candidates from a diversity of regions and backgrounds, leading to a balanced team of civil society members on the Steering Committee that are well-positioned to continue to provide strategic and effective leadership to OGP. The new members will join OGP at a vital moment - with most fundamentals in place, the task is not only to further shape OGP policies and work, but also to build strong and effective civil society participation at the national level. The selection will be undertaken by a committee, comprised of Tom Blanton and Rakesh Rajani of the current Steering Committee, two volunteers from the broader OGP CSO community and the Civil Society Coordinator. Candidates for the two volunteer positions on the selection committee are invited to send a short motivation letter to Paul Maassen before midnight Central European time on February 8. Key Information on the Process Candidates can nominate themselves or be nominated by other individuals. National, regional and global organizations, networks and coalitions need to nominate a specific staff member and can be national, regional or global. People serve on the Steering Committee in their individual capacity, and do not represent an organization or coalition. The selection is based on a range of criteria - including personal skills, experience, legitimacy in region (s) and/or network(s). Nominations are submitted by sending a nomination form, together with endorsement letters to the independent Civil Society Coordinator at: maassenpaul@gmail.com. All complete nominations will be uploaded in full to the OGP website and will be public for all to see.
Diversity (gender, region, type of experience) will be one of the key filters used in the selection process. Candidates from Latin America, Africa, Europe and Asia/Oceania are especially encouraged to apply. The nomination phase closes at midnight Central European time on February 23. The nomination form is online and downloadable here.
Page 4
If you have any information or materials that you would want for us to include in our next newsletter please send them to Nout van der Vaart (n.van.der.vaart@hivos.nl) or Emilene Martnez (emilene17@gmail.com). Please keep in mind our next newsletter will be sent out on February 15.
January 2013
Page 5
Latin American Civil Society Actively Participates in Regional OGP Event in Chile
Latin American civil society organizations and government officials from across the region participated in an OGP Regional Event hosted by the Secretary-General of the Chilean Presidency in January 10 and 11. The event took place in Santiago and organizations from over 20 countries participated. A broad array of topics was discussed during the events four panels including: the challenges OGP faces in the region; consultation processes in Latin America; the role of oversight bodies in the local OGP dynamic; and transparency and accountability in the legislative branch. lvaro Ramrez Alujas, founder of the Group of Investigation in Government, Administration and Public Policy (GIGAPP), presented preliminary results a comparative analysis of action plans and consultation processes in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. Ramrez Alujas also looked at the countries that are working on the formulation of their action plans: Argentina, Costa Rica and Panama. Ten workshops organized and moderated by civil society organizations were held during the event. These spaces provided a great opportunity for dialogue and discussion between CSOs and governments. Key open government related issues were discussed among them: citizen participation in OGP; transparency in extractive industries; challenges and lessons learned in Latin America; transparency and public security; the role of the media as well as oversight bodies; and transparency in social programs. Additionally, workshops devoted to reviewing action plans and OGPs Independent Reporting Mechanism (IRM) were held. Additionally, international organizations and CSOs had the opportunity to present open government projects among them: the World Banks Global Partnership for Social Accountability (GPSA) and CEPALs Open Data for Development in Latin America and the Caribbean. Two book presentations were held as well for: The Promise of Open Government an effort of regional open government experts; and Transparency Oversight Bodies and Access to the Information in Chile and Mexico coordinated by the Transparency Network (Red de Transparencia RTA). Regional civil society networks actively organized and participated in the event coordinating panels and side meetings, among them: Alianza Regional por la Libertad de Expresin e Informacin; Iniciativa TPA; TILAC network composed of Transparency Internationals chapters in Latin America and the Caribbean; and the Latinamerican Network for Legislative Transparency. More information on the event including downloadable presentations given on workshops and panels can be found here.