Remembering Our Commitment to Our Coalition for Change

Last month, government and civil society leaders gathered at the High Level Event in New York to renew their commitmentOGP commitments are promises for reform co-created by governments and civil society and submitted as part of an action plan. Commitments typically include a description of the problem, concrete action... to OGP. Leaders shared powerful and inspiring words to reimagine the government through more open and honest collaboration with citizens and civil society. A month on, it’s useful to remind ourselves of the coalition for change that we pledged to maintain.

As can be seen in the recently released highlights video of the event and the transcript of the remarks, speakers spoke to the unique platform of OGP in bringing together government and civil society.

What’s more, OGP brings together engagement and action. New Civil Society Co-Chair Suneeta Kaimal remarked, “Action on the part of governments is not enough. Action on the part of civil society is not enough. But engagement between governments and civil society that informs action is what leads to impact.” The HLE forum presented an opportunity to celebrate our achievements over the last three years and awarded groups working to promote citizen participationAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, citizen participation occurs when “governments seek to mobilize citizens to engage in public debate, provide input, and make contributions that lead to m... More at the local level.

At the same time, leaders recognize the challenges we have yet to overcome. As then Civil Society Co-Chair Rakesh Rajani stated, “There is nothing inevitable about the opening of government or the closing of civic space. It rests upon what we choose to do.” President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia and President Jacob Zuma of South Africa echoed similar sentiments that more transparencyAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, transparency occurs when “government-held information (including on activities and decisions) is open, comprehensive, timely, freely available to the pub... More, accountability and collaboration requires us all to redouble our efforts in making our shared objective an on-going and sustained commitment.

This sustained commitment is necessary as we make small but vital, incremental changes around the world. President Obama reminded us that what we’re doing “is not flashy. It doesn’t generate a lot of headlines. But the work you’re doing here is a steady wave of better government, and a steady wave of stronger civil societies.” 

Looking back, the ambitionAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, OGP commitments should “stretch government practice beyond its current baseline with respect to key areas of open government.” Ambition captures the po... to deliver on the promise of OGP is essential to the government officials and civil society who need the support of an international platform to continue their hard work. It is our hope that these encouraging words help to spark more meaningful reforms.