Experts Roundtable and South-South Exchange Forum Lessons from Assessing Governance: Towards Inclusive Democracies and Development in Asia Jakarta, Indonesia March 21-22, 2012 Context The Government of Indonesia has defined South-South Cooperation as one of its focus in foreign policy, as stated through the Presidential Regulation No. 5/2010 on the National Medium Term Development Planning Document (RPJMN) 2010-2014. Since its graduation to a Middle Income Country status, and becoming a member of the G20, the Government of Indonesia, has considered South-South and Triangular Cooperation as important modalities to strengthen its position in the global arena, and sees it as a significant responsibility to share knowledge and lessons to other countries. Following this the Government developed the Grand Design and Blue Print of South-South and Triangular Cooperation to further strengthen and strategize the implementation of the cooperation. One of the priorities areas articulate in these documents is to share Indonesia’s experiences on democratization, best practices and lessons learned Indonesia is internationally recognized as a democratic country which is the result of several years of reforms which began in 1998. Currently, Indonesia is widely known as the world’s third largest democratic country and plays an active role in promoting democracy through the regional and multilateral forums, while at the same time attempting to consolidate its democracy internally. Among Indonesia’s attempts to promote democracy in the regional level is the annual Bali Democracy Forum (BDF), and various workshop on democratization for different countries, conducted by the Institute for Peace and Democracy (IPD), BDF’s implementing agency. Its current status and recognition is the result of a long process involving both governmental and non-governmental actors. Despite the challenges Indonesia faces as a multi-ethnic Islamic country, its experiences in consolidating democracy is perceived to be a valuable experience to share other countries through the South-South Cooperation Framework. Its experience in developing the Indonesia Democracy Index is one attempt to develop a device to assess democracy performance in policy making, which has been supported by UNDP 2007. UNDP has been advocating for the importance of nationally driven democratic governance assessments for a number of years, and has been supporting on-going efforts in various countries around the globe in this regard. The Oslo Governance Forum, which took place in October 2011, culminated with the adoption of the “Oslo Principles on Democratic Governance Assessments”1. With the participation of more than 280 policy makers, academics and practitioners, the forum enabled the sharing of innovative work undertaken by some of the most inspiring civil society activists from across the world. Discussions were focused on how governance assessments can play a critical role in strengthening democracy and 1
www.oslogovernanceforum.org 1
governance in a number of area including human rights, anti-corruption, natural resources, post-conflict and fragile situations and service delivery. For UNDP, the value of a country-led governance assessment is that it serves as a critical accountability and transparency mechanism for governance performance, elements which may not be captured through externally driven assessments or indices. Democratic governance is more likely to be sustained and improved if targets for attainment and expectations of how governments should perform are formulated by those who live within the political system. When all relevant stakeholders participate in the assessment process, it stimulates their demand for governance information and a demand for greater accountability from government. In order for country-led assessments to provide more depth into a particular policy issue, UNDP emphasizes that they must integrate a focus on marginalized and vulnerable groups. Country-specific and disaggregated indicators will help identify specific institutions and practices that perpetuate unfair and sub-standard provision of services to these groups. Within this global framework, five countries in Asia-Pacific have undertaken governance assessments in their respective contexts, with the support of UNDP. The South-South Exchange of Experiences and Experts’ Roundtable Forum will provide an opportunity to share these experiences. The meeting will not only showcase the processes that have led to the establishment of governance data and indicators, it will equally stress the subsequent contributions that data and information can and should make both in terms of policy making and development impact.
South-South Exchange of Experiences and Experts’ Forum The South-South Exchange of Experiences and Experts’ Forum will reflect on the experiences in a number of countries in Asia-Pacific which have undertaken governance assessments. The Forum will explore the relevance of nationally-driven governance assessments to the challenges identified in the region – inequalities in development and governance deficits – and how governance assessments can contribute to addressing them. At the October 2011 Oslo Governance Forum, these issues were discussed further and in a broader context. The various exchanges focused on the value that nationally-led country assessments have brought in understanding democratic governance better, as well as examining the links between democratic governance and human development. The Oslo Governance Forum also agreed on the “Oslo Principles on Democratic Governance Assessments”, which are designed to promote and strengthen democratic governance at the local and national levels through a participatory approach to assessments. Of particular relevance are Principles 2 and 4, which emphasise the need to strengthen the ability of people to hold their governments to account (Principle 2), and the need to strengthen a government’s capability to be responsive (Principle 4).2 This Forum will build on the experience of Indonesia and its successful efforts in establishing the Indonesia Democracy Index (IDI). It will also reflect on the experiences of other countries in the region which have undertaken assessments in various ways, and for diverse purposes. It is expected that these discussions will clarify whether specific and targeted assessments can help trigger broader governance and development reforms. Building on these insights, the meeting will discuss how to take governance 2
The Oslo Principles on Democratic Governance Assessments, 2011, www.oslogovernanceforum.org 2
assessment to the next phase in Asia-Pacific, particularly in the context of rising inequality and continuously evolving democratic and political space.
The key sessions at the meeting: The South-South Exchange of Experiences which will showcase the experiences of national counterparts in developing governance assessments, sharing their successes, challenges, and recommendations for taking the work forward in the region. Some of the questions that will be explored include: 1) How can Indonesia’s democratization experience be shared through South-South Cooperation framework? 2) How can governance assessments be made more meaningful – why should they be undertaken, and how can the findings support broader development efforts? 3) How can nationally driven and defined governance assessments complement international and/or regional normative principles related to democratic governance? 4) How can governance assessments be used to enable the state to respond to the needs articulated by citizens? 5) How can governance assessments be used to explore channels, ways and means for citizen engagement in public and political spaces? The forum is also expected to touch on issues such as: enhancing the participatory and inclusive nature of assessments and measurements; ensuring a strong gender angle in the assessment process, as well as the data; clarifying the link between governance assessments, human development, and human security; the need for rigorous and scientific methodologies; and the role of assessments in widening (or creating) political space, are some examples.
The Way Forward While the focus of the forum is on experiences around democratic governance assessments, it is expected to provide avenues toward the strengthening of South-South Cooperation, particularly in the field of democracy and governance in Asia-Pacific. The Government of Indonesia as the co-host aim to share not only its experience on country-led assessments, but also in other areas that can benefit from democratization. This event can also lead to wider audiences to share the Indonesian experience in consolidating democracy. For UNDP, this is an important event in marking the contribution of Indonesia in strengthening South-South cooperation.
Organisation The National Development Planning Agency of the Republic of Indonesia (BAPPENAS), UNDP Indonesia, and UNDP Asia Pacific Regional Center (APRC) are collaborating and co-organising this regional event from March 21-22, 2012 in Jakarta, Indonesia. National partners from those countries that have expressed interest in the governance assessment will be invited, along with the relevant UNDP country offices. Other participants will include experts from Indonesia and abroad, and representatives from civil society and academic institutions.
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Agenda Day 1: March 21, 2012 8.30-9.00
Registration
9.00-9.30
Opening remarks Beate Trankmann, Country Director, UNDP Indonesia Raden Siliwanti, Director Politics and Communication, BAPPENAS
9.30-9.45
Indonesia’s democratization experiences and its role in the region
Ketut Putra Erawan, Executive Director, Institute for Peace and Democracy
Rapporteur: Muhammad Husain, UNDP Indonesia 9.45-9.55
Objectives of the Forum
9.55-10.45
Sujala Pant, Regional Programme Specialist, UNDP APRC
What are democratic governance assessments? The conceptual framework and illustrations This first session will introduce the conceptual thinking of nationally driven democratic governance assessments, and will illustrate this with the experience of the Indonesia Democracy Index. Chair: Malik Gismar, University of Paramadina
Introduction to the concept of democratic governance assessments, Mr. John Samuel, UNDP, Oslo Governance Centre Indonesia Democracy Index, Ms. Raden Siliwanti, Director Politics and Communication, BAPPENAS
Rapporteur: Sumeeta Banerji, UNDP India 10.45-11.00
Break
11.00-12.30
Flexible approach to democratic governance assessments This session will examine the ways in which the framework for assessment is developed in a way that reconciles national and local understandings of democratic governance. It will be an opportunity to examine how national policies have to be applied and taken forward in a practical manner that resonates with citizens. Chair: Christian Hainzl, UNDP Myanmar
Making sense of Democratic Governance Assessment in the Chinese context, Prof. Zhou Hongyun, China Centre for Comparative Politics and Economics, China Understanding citizens’ expectations from democratic governance through the Vietnam Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index (PAPI) Dr. Dang Hoang Giang, Centre for Community Support and Development Studies (CECODES), Viet Nam 4
Applying the governance assessment in the context of REDD+, Mas Achmad Santosa, PGA Expert Member, Indonesia
Rapporteur: Won Young Hon, UNDP Bangladesh 12.30-14.00
Lunch
14.00-15.00
Plenary discussion and engagement from participants The purpose of this session is to enable participants to contribute their inputs and experiences on the overall discussion in a participatory manner. Chair: Christian Hainzl, UNDP Myanmar
15.00-16.15
Using data in the policy cycle and making assessments sustainable This session will examine how the assessments have been integrated in the policy cycle, and will look at factors, opportunities, and challenges in doing so. The key question being addressed here is see how systems can self-correct for more responsive policies. Chair: Irman Lanti, UNDP Indonesia
Integrating GNH indicators in the policy and planning process, Sonam Chokey, Gross National Happiness Commission, Bhutan Using governance data at the local level for planning purposes – E Kusumayadi, Banten Provincial Planning Office, Indonesia
Rapporteur: Kunzang Norbu, UNDP Bhutan 16.15-16.30
Break
16.30-18.00
Attaining objectivity and inclusiveness – the importance of process and sound methodologies Amalgamating large data sets can hide nuances and specificities. When being used, this may subsequently lead to skewed policies which can be detrimental to a particular group for example. This session will look at how a combination of multiple methodologies may help to avoid systematic biases, and how the process itself can pave the way to inclusion and participation. Chair: Prof. Zhou Hongyun, China Centre for Comparative Politics and Economics, China
Bringing together different research and data collection methodologies, Abdul Malik Gismar, Paramadina University Indonesia A process-oriented approach for inclusive results, Do Thi Thanh Huyen, Policy Analyst, UNDP Viet Nam
Rapporteur: Thin Khaing, UNDP Myanmar
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Day 2: March 22, 2012 9.00-10.30
Using data for increased social accountability This session will look at the ways in which information can, and has been used to increase state-citizen engagement, and how this in turn can increase responsiveness and accountability. Chair: R. Siti Zuhro, PhD, Senior Researcher of Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI)
Increasing accountability through assessments, Isagani Serrano, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, the Philippines Citizens’ Charter to increase social accountability in Bangladesh - Md. Saidur Rahman, Senior Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration, Bangladesh Increasing civil society accountability through assessment, Fransisca Fitri Kurnia Sri, Civil Society Alliance for Democracy (YAPPIKA) Indonesia
Rapporteur: Do Thi Thanh Huyen, UNDP Viet Nam 10.30-11.45
South-South learning This session will enable countries embarking on assessments to present their cases, and hear feedback from experts in addressing anticipate and/or current challenges. The participants will be split up in two groups, with discussions being led by the representatives from India and Bangladesh. Chair: Sujala Pant, UNDP APRC Group 1 lead: Sumeeta Banerji, UNDP India Group 2 lead: Won Young Hon, UNDP Bangladesh Rapporteurs will be identified by each group
11.45-13.00
Round-table - taking governance assessments to the next level in Asia-Pacific This session will discuss the various options available to strengthen the assessment approach, and examine initiatives that have taken place at the regional level. Explore the possible complementarity between nationally driven assessments and inter-regional core democratic governance indicators. Link to ongoing discussions around post 2015, Rio+20, climate change etc. Chair: John Samuel, Oslo Governance Centre, UNDP
Irwansyah, Center for Political Studies, the University of Indonesia Isagaani Serrano, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, the Philippines Derek Brien, Pacific Institute of Public Policy, Vanuatu
Rapporteur: Qing Gu, UNDP China 13.00-14.00
Closing session (including lunch) 6
14.00 onwards
John Samuel, Oslo Governance Centre, UNDP RM Dewo Broto Joko P., Director of Multilateral Foreign Funding, Bappenas
Possibility of side meetings, and UNDP closed meeting
Venue for the Forum: Hotel Borobudur Jakarta Jalan Lapangan Banteng Selatan, P.O.Box 1329, Jakarta 10710- Indonesia Tel: (62-21) 3805555 Fax: (62-21) 3809595 Conference room Banda A
Contact Information: Sujala Pant Regional Programme Specialist Democratic Governance UNDP Asia-Pacific Regional Centre, Bangkok Sujala.pant@undp.org Irman Lanti Team Leader – Assistant Country Director Democratic Governance Unit UNDP Indonesia Irman.lanti@undp.org Muhammad Husain Programme Manager Democratic Governance Unit UNDP Indonesia Muhammad.husain@undp.org Laxmi Topandasani Programme Assistant UNDP Indonesia Laxmi.topandasani@undp.org
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