“Governing with the citizen: transparent and accountable local governments in an increasingly urban world” 14th October 2016, 18.00 – 19.30h Corferias Convention Center Bogota (Colombia)
Background In many parts of the world, there is a deep and worrisome crisis of confidence in the role of the public sector to give response to the people’s needs. For most citizens, the municipality is the first (and often the only) gate of access to public administration and government. Additionally, local governments are often the only entities providing the direct link between national strategies and policies to citizens. Most of the public trust in government is produced (or lost) at the local level. Many local governments in the world are fighting the battle for transparency in providing services and desire increased participation of their citizens in public affairs. Creative efforts are being implemented across the world to bring openness to local public management and to rebuild the social contract between the people and the ones running public affairs. In the meantime, at global scale, local governments and their associations are committed to the implementation of the new global agenda 2030. Within the list of new sustainable development goals, two of them are considered particularly relevant for local governments: the SDG 11, which refers to sustainable cities, and the SDG 16 which calls for the creation of effective, accountable and inclusive institutions. Attaining SDG 16 requires local governments to be more effective and accountable to citizens, fighting corruption and increasing public access to local information. For decades, local governments have led efforts towards the adoption of new forms of
inclusive decision-making, such as participatory budgets or participatory urban planning. There is a clear correlation between transparency and elimination of corruption and bribery in all its forms. This requires creating effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels, ensure the adoption of participatory decisions that meet the needs of all citizens and ensuring public access to information while protecting fundamental freedoms in accordance with national laws and international agreements. Transparency and accountability are the key to give the world’s citizens the tools and information they need to play a more active role in society, and are crucial for improving the lives of citizens by delivering services efficiently and effectively, increasing confidence and trust in public sector, and promoting development in an open, competitive, and fair manner. As it is at the local sphere where citizens and the public sector interact most regularly and directly, when corruption occurs locally, the impact on citizens’ lives can be most damaging, with the poorest being hit the hardest. The aim of this session is to discuss a holistic approach to strengthening local government integrity by highlighting innovative measures that local governments are experimenting to improve transparency and accountability in the field of urban planning and the provision of basic services while ensuring access, quality affordability and safety in the provision, on one side, and the control over the speculative physical development of the city. Key topics to address during the session -
The role of local governments in building trust in the public sector. The importance of transparent and accountable municipal management. The role of local governments in preventing corruption in urban development. Identification of local experiences in different context of the world. Partnership and opportunities to collaborate in this area of work.
Speakers 1. Abel Caballero, President of the Federation of Spanish Municipalities and Provinces and Mayor of Vigo (Spain). 2. Murat Aydin, President of UCLG-MEWA Committee on Local Governance and Mayor of Zeytinburnu (Turkey). 3. Daniel Carlos MartĂnez Villaamil, Mayor of Montevideo (Uruguay) 4. Representative of Transparency International (to be confirmed) 5. Mayor of South Africa (to be confirmed) Moderates: Diana A. Lopez Caramazana, Head, Local Government and Decentralization Unit, UN-Habitat. Organizers
FEMP, Federation of Spanish Municipalities and Regions UCLG – MEWA, United Cities and Local Governments - Middle East and West Asia Section UN-Habitat, United Nations Human Settlements Programme
Outcomes envisaged The main objective of the session are: 1. To raise awareness amongst local governments of the importance of putting into place open government and transparency policies to establish a new pact of trust with their citizens. 2. To identify already existing experiences, by the participating Mayors in creating trust in their citizenship 3. To present and look for partners interested in taking part of the project “Urban-GLASS: Governing with the Citizen” jointly designed by UN-Habitat and FEMP to support local governments and their associations to increase transparency and accountability in urban development. More information in www.urban-glass.org
Contact Maria Alejandra Rico Falla maria.alejandra@unhabitat.org Skype mariale_col