Ensuring Transparency of Local Self Government Bodies of Large Communities (AM0026)
Overview
At-a-Glance
Action Plan: Armenia, Second Action Plan, 2014-16
Action Plan Cycle: 2014
Status:
Institutions
Lead Institution: Marzpetarans (Regional administrations)
Support Institution(s): Ministry of Territorial Administration Asparez
Policy Areas
Local CommitmentsIRM Review
IRM Report: Armenia End-of-Term Report 2014-2016, Armenia IRM Progress Report for 2014-2015
Early Results: Did Not Change
Design i
Verifiable: Yes
Relevant to OGP Values: Yes
Ambition (see definition): High
Implementation i
Description
Some large communities of Armenia have websites, others not, they are being updated on a quite irregular basis, LSG decisions are being published not on all websites (decisions of Community Council, orders of the community heads) or they are being published partially. The awareness raising on public discussions, hearings, sessions of the Community Council is being done improperly. The sessions of the Community Council is being broadcasted online only in the cities of Vanadzor and Gyumri, and even in some communities because of the lack of sufficient space for halls it is sometimes impossible to ensure the participation of all interested persons in the sessions of the Community Council.
The creation and update of internet pages, the publication of all legal acts adopted by the community authorities, the notification about the sessions of the Community Council, public discussions and hearings, as well as the online broadcasting of the sessions of Community Council will be ensured for the communities of Armenia with the population of 20, 000 and more.
IRM End of Term Status Summary
11. Transparency of Local Self-Government Bodies
Commitment Text:
Some large communities of Armenia have websites, others not, they are being updated on a quite irregular basis, LSG decisions are being published not on all websites (decisions of Community Council, orders of the community heads) or they are being published partially. The awareness raising on public discussions, hearings, sessions of the Community Council is being done improperly. The sessions of the Community Council is being broadcasted online only in the cities of Vanadzor and Gyumri, and even in some communities because of the lack of sufficient space for halls it is sometimes impossible to ensure the participation of all interested persons in the sessions of the Community Council.
The creation and update of internet pages, the publication of all legal acts adopted by the community authorities, the notification about the sessions of the Community Council, public discussions and hearings, as well as the online broadcasting of the sessions of Community Council will be ensured for the communities of Armenia with the population of 20, 000 and more.
Responsible Institution: Ministry of Territorial Administration of the Republic of Armenia
Supporting Institution(s): Marzpetarans (regional administrations) of the Republic of Armenia
Start Date: August 2014 ....... End Date: April 2016
Commitment Aim
This commitment aims to provide better access to information on public discussions and hearings of Community Councils by creating and updating of websites and broadcasting online sessions.
Status
Midterm: Limited
At the time of writing of midterm report, most communities had not acquired the equipment necessary for online broadcasting (cameras, microphones, etc.). Out of seventeen communities, only four were broadcasting sessions of Elders Councils, with one of them not broadcasting the sessions regularly.
End of Term: Limited
According to the self-assessment report, as of June 2016, 17 communities have begun receiving equipment to broadcast their council meetings. The report does not mention how many websites were created and whether decisions passed by the councils have been made available.
As of late December 2016, within the framework of ‘Development of Civic Youth Centers’ programs funded by Open Society Foundations, Armenia Journalists' Club “Asparez” monitoredoperational transparency of 17 local self-governing bodies with regards to following: opportunities for citizens to be present during the sessions of Elderly Councils or for getting informationthrough other channels of communication.
The monitoring revealed that seven communities, namely, Yerevan, Gyumri, Ejmiatsin, Kapan, Hrazdan, Ararat, and Gavar, broadcasted sessions of Elderly Councils. Out of seven communities specified above, Ararat broadcased only one session.
Lack of advance announcements on upcoming live broadcasts of Elderly Council sessions emerged as a problem. The monitoring report concluded that authorities in several local self-governing bodies failed to relay appropriate information (time, date and draft agenda) on upcoming sessions of Elderly Council, making viewership impossible and rendering broadcasts meaningless.
Did it Open Government?
Access to Information: Did Not Change
The public has not been properly informed on discussions, hearings and sessions of Community Councils. In some communities, there is no possibility to ensure participation of interested parties due to lack of adequate space. Online broadcasting of sessions of Community Councils can help solve the problem in part. However, according to information obtained at the time of writing this report, no new community had started online broadcasting of sessions.
Carried Forward?
The commitment is not included in the third action plan.