E-Governance and Access to Information for Citizens’ Participation (from the website of UNDP)
Practice Notes | Publications | Guidelines & Toolkits
http://www.undp.org/governance/sl-egov.htm
Ensuring Freedom of _Expression and the Right to Information for Inclusive Governance
Access to Information is a pivotal empowerment tool and underpins effective interventions in the area of democratic governance which is central to sustained poverty reduction and the achievement of the MDGs. It is vital for strengthening accountability, transparency, participation and rule of law. Accessible and understandable information and the means and ability to communicate are important for enabling people to participate in policy making processes and the decisions that affect their lives. UNDP believes that the implementation of the right to freedom of _expression and the right to information are prerequisites for ensuring the voice and participation necessary for an open democratic society. This means that the promotion and protection of both access to information itself and flows of information that exist between constituents – both men and women, government, parliament, community groups, civil society organizations and the private sector are of equal importance.
UNDP’s activities in access to information focus on: improving the enabling legal and regulatory environment for freedom and pluralism in information; strengthening the capacity of independent and pluralist media; strengthening the capacity of civil society to raise awareness on rights to information and promoting communication mechanisms that enable marginalized groups to participate effectively in governance processes. A mapping of UNDP access to information projects identified 68 projects. Of the 68 projects identified, just under a third focus on media development.
E-governance
Use and deployment of the new Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has been rapidly growing since the early 1990s. While the initial focus of the so-called “ICT revolution” was on infrastructure deployment and connectivity, a shift has now taken place.
While most developing countries still face, to various degrees, serious access challenges, the focus is now on the development of use of specific ICT applications and, in general, on the use of the new technologies to address traditional development problems and challenges.
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Public Administration Reform and Anti-Corruption
( from website of UNDP)
Practice Notes | Publications | Guidelines & Toolkits | Events
http://www.undp.org/governance/sl-par.htm
Supporting Efficient, Responsive and Transparent Public Service
In societies undergoing rapid change as an effect of globalization or other forms of transition, a strong administrative capacity offers much-needed clarity and coherence for the implementation of national priorities, including those connected with MDG targets. UNDP helps to build public services that are cost-efficient and results-oriented, transparent, responsive and accountable to the needs of citizens.
Support in this service line focuses on supporting efficient, responsive, transparent and accountable public administrations.
In an era of increasing globalization, governments play a critical role to ensure economic competitiveness and growth, good governance and sustainable development
Accountable and effective management of public financial resources constitute some of the most fundamental responsibilities and challenges of many governments in the world, particularly those in developing countries and economies in transition. In this era of increasing globalization of world markets and trade, public sector management and accountability have become critical elements in determining the over-all effectiveness, efficiency, and ability of governments to ensure economic competitiveness and growth, good governance and sustainable human development.
UNDP recognizes that minimizing corruption is critical to reduce poverty and promote social and people-centred sustainable development. UNDP’s emphasis on long-term systemic changes and the human dimensions of development, coupled with its impartiality, underscore its unique contributions in promoting good governance and public accountability and transparency.
Promoting effective governance to meet the challenges
Public sector management is increasingly seen as more than just modernising state institutions, it is also about fostering dynamic partnerships with civil society and the private sector in order to improve the quality of service delivery, enhance social responsibilities and ensure the broad participation of citizens in decision-making. This calls for increased attention to the issue of decentralised government as a means to support poverty alleviation goals and conflict prevention policies. These trends put increased emphasis on the performance of the civil service and on the need for an effective and efficient public management that is transparent and accountable.
UNDP takes a special interest in promoting sound public sector management as one of the key enabling factors for sustaining progress and for meeting the Millennium Development Goals. As a neutral and experienced partner, UNDP is supporting public administration and civil service management reform. UNDP is a leader in coordinating external assistance in this field.
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IS this happenning in INDIA ? or
Where UNDP has Invested the funds like NISG in INDIA.
Post your comments here please.
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