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Policy Areas

OGP participating governments advance a variety of policy areas through their action plans. The OGP Support Unit reviews and tags every commitment for its relevant policy areas and sectors. The policy areas listed below are not exhaustive of all potential areas for open government reforms. Rather, these policy areas are selected for analysis based on a number of factors, including popular topics addressed across action plans and OGP strategic documents. The Support Unit conducts an annual review of the list of policy areas used for tagging and analysis purposes. We welcome feedback or suggestions, which can be sent to research@opengovpartnership.org.

Education

Accountability within the public education system is key to improving outcomes and attainment, and accountability is nearly impossible without transparent policies and opportunities for participation in decision-making. Technical specifications: Covers the primary, secondary, and tertiary education sector.

Elections

Improving transparency in elections and maintaining the independence of electoral commissions is vital for promoting trust in the electoral system, preventing electoral fraud, and upholding the democratic principles of free and fair elections. Technical specifications: Institutions and legal frameworks that…

Energy

Ensuring universal access to sustainable, dependable, and affordable energy is critical to every aspect of prosperity. Increasing public oversight and transparency in the energy sector can help to ensure a fairer green transition and improve human health, while also ending…

Environmental Regulation

Incorporating transparency and citizen participation in the development and implementation of environmental regulations allows for more informed decision-making and cultivates a shared responsibility for mitigating environmental impacts. Technical specifications: Legal and administrative policies and/or strategies established to manage and mitigate…

Extractive Industries

Applying open government values of transparency, participation, and accountability to extractive industries can decrease corruption, safeguard community interests and needs, and support environmental sustainability. Technical specifications: Cover the extraction and governance of renewable and non-renewable natural resources (mining, forests, fisheries,…

Freedom of Assembly

Peaceful assembly — a fundamental human right — is essential to healthy and effective democratic institutions. Technical specifications: Protection of the individual right to peacefully assemble, collectively express, and petition the government for redress of grievances. See also: Freedom of…

Freedom of Association

Freedom of association — the right to join a formal or informal group to take collective action — is a universal right and can be used as a mechanism for public accountability. Technical specifications: Protection of the individual right to…

Freedom of Expression

Journalists and activists are critical intermediaries connecting public officials with citizens and serving as government watchdogs, and their rights and safety need to be protected. Technical specifications: Protection of the individual right to free expression. This includes the protection of…

Gender

OGP participating governments are bringing gender perspectives to popular policy areas, ensuring diversity in participatory processes, and specifically targeting gender gaps in policies to address government policies and practices that often systematically exclude gender groups like women, girls, non-binary individuals,…

Gender-Based Violence

Reforms that combat gender-based violence are essential for fostering an inclusive society and government that respects human rights and promotes gender equality. Technical specifications: Commitments that aim to address and combat violence, harassment, or threat -- in person or online…

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