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Five Government Innovations Recognized for their Work to Open up Government

Cinco reformas innovadoras reconocidas por su trabajo a favor de la apertura del gobierno

Implementers will Share Expertise with More than 70 Countries and 70 Local Governments

 

Washington, D.C. –Five open government reforms from Latvia, Mexico, New Zealand, the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina and the state of Kaduna, Nigeria have been recognized by the Open Government Partnership (OGP) for their advances in making government more open, inclusive and responsive. OGP has selected these reforms and has invited reform implementers to join the OGP Leaders Network, an initiative designed to showcase innovative reforms advanced by government and civil society reformers working together and to inspire others to advance reforms in different thematic areas.

The members of the newly launched Leaders Network have a proven track record of delivering ambitious reform agendas through their open government process. This has been done either through a commitment in their OGP two-year action plans or by creating spaces to advance a particular policy area in their country. As experts in their reform topic, they will share technical expertise and strategic intelligence with other OGP members to support the implementation of similar reforms at the local and national level. To do so, they will work closely with the OGP Steering Committee, as well as OGP partners, Ambassadors and Envoys.

The launch of the OGP Leaders Network comes at a crucial time when the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the decline of civic space globally. The selected reforms show the need and possibility of civil society organizations and government officials working together to build more open and inclusive democracies. These reforms also have the potential impact to deepen the efforts needed to catalyze economic recovery, tackle inequality, and build more resilient democracies.

“We are at a critical moment in history, amidst a confluence of a number of crises; from the most devastating pandemic in a hundred years and the worst global recession since World War II. If we can indeed join forces, like the reformers in the OGP Leaders Network, we can advance transformational reforms that put citizens at the heart of governance and build back more vibrant and inclusive democracies,” said Sanjay Pradhan, Chief Executive Officer of the Open Government Partnership.

Latvia’s State Chancellery, the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau of Latvia (KNAB), and Transparency International Latvia (Delna) are increasing public awareness on reporting of breaches, including corruption, and the protections provided under the 2018 Whistleblowing Law.

In Mexico, the National Institute for Women is working with the Simone de Beauvoir Leadership Institute to design a national policy on public care services through a pilot program. This policy will be monitored by citizens to increase their ability to monitor and shape these services and reduce the gender inequality gap in Mexico and position the right to care in the public agenda.

In the Pacific, Stats NZ and Transparency International New Zealand are working to increase the transparency and accountability of how the government uses algorithms to deliver essential public services, including through outreach to relevant user communities within and outside government.

In the State of Kaduna, Nigeria, the Department of Monitoring and Evaluation in the Planning and Budget Commission and Follow Taxes are working on a citizen-led budget monitoring initiative designed to track state funded projects through the Kaduna Citizen Feedback App, housed under the Eyes and Ears project. This has empowered citizens to become the eyes and ears of the government to oversee public spending.

Finally, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Council of Magistrates and the Civil Association for Equality and Justice (ACIJ in Spanish) launched the Open Justice and Innovation Lab, a space for exchange, co-creation and collaboration between sectors to promote transparency and accountability in the judicial system.

“It is so important to create spaces for peer exchange, where these leaders can provide expert feedback on reforms and OGP commitments. We hope this Network also provides a platform for learning that can accelerate reform on key thematic areas globally,” said Robin Hodess, Director of Governance and Transparency at The B Team and former OGP Steering Committee Co-Chair (2019-2020).

“The OGP Steering Committee also hopes these leaders join us in pushing for higher ambition in reforms in OGP countries and leverage their networks to mobilize other governments to advance reforms in their topic”, said Cesar Gazzo Huck, Undersecretary of Open Government and Digital of Argentina, who also co-chaired the OGP Steering Committee in 2019-2020.

To complement the OGP Steering Committee’s critical role in advancing thematic leadership across the Partnership, the Leaders Network will showcase innovation by early adopters on tools and solutions in emerging open government areas. The Leaders Network will be launched as a two-year pilot.

 

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About OGP:

In 2011, government leaders and civil society advocates came together to create a unique partnership—one that combines these powerful forces to promote accountable, responsive and inclusive governance.

Seventy-eight countries and a growing number of local governments—representing more than two billion people—along with thousands of civil society organizations are members of the Open Government Partnership (OGP).

For questions or to set up interviews please contact commsteam@opengovpartnership.org

Comments (1)

Miss Elcena Jeffers MBE Reply

Congratulations all the winners in thier own countries to continue this good work elsewhere?
What process is being used for continueing the work of Central and local governments and local networks? to spread the good work else where in the world?.

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