[governance] IGC Talking Points for Enhanced Cooperation workshop

[michael gurstein]

In light of the earlier discussions concerning EC, both concerning the
broader definition/framework for EC as introduced by myself and the
discussions around the ITfC and APC letters, the following description of EC
in the context of Open Government and "Enhanced Cooperation" as represented
by the Open Government Partnership might be of some interest.  (The below is
taken from the Introduction to a Survey being circulated by a sub-Committee
of the Steering Committee of the Open Government Partnership which includes
both governmental and CS representation.)

It seems to me that in areas where there is a broad (but not necessarily
universal) multi-stakeholder consensus (as for example in certain areas of
EC) the below provides a useful and about to be tested method for moving
from good intentions to practical, transparent and accountable
implementation. Something to my mind which the current discussion, IGF and
"talking point" sorely are lacking.

Mike

--------------------------------------------------------------------

The Standards and Criteria sub-committee of the Open Government Partnership
Steering Committee is responsible for putting forward recommendations on the
Independent Reporting Mechanism. Civil society steering committee members on
the Standards and Criteria sub-committee include Juan Pardinas, IMCO; Martin
Tisne, the Omidyar Network; Suneeta Kaimal Revenue Watch Institute; and
Warren Krafchik, International Budget Partnership (in his capacity as civil
society co-chair). They will discuss the IRM in the subcommittee on May 24
and 25.

Preliminary discussions about the IRM occurred during previous Open
Government Partnership Steering Committee meetings (all minutes and
materials are available online at http://www.opengovpartnership.org/news).
These discussions have informed the following conception of the IRM:

"The Independent Reporting Mechanism (IRM) is to be a key means by which all
stakeholders can track the progress of OGP participating countries in
implementing their commitments, as well as promote strong accountability
between member governments and citizens. Every year, OGP will issue an
independent assessment report for each OGP participating country, as a
complement to governments' own self-assessment reports and independent civil
society monitoring. The IRM is in charge of overseeing this process on
behalf of OGP to ensure its credibility and independence.

IRM reports will look at whether governments implemented the commitments
made within their country action plans as well as whether they followed the
OGP guidelines in developing that plan. IRM reports takes the commitments
governments have made at face value, and assesses to what extent governments
have delivered on these commitments. The IRM will also assess and verify to
the extent possible the improvements these commitments have made for
citizens. These reports are intended to help promote stronger accountability
between citizens and their governments, and ensure governments are living up
to OGP process requirements.

The IRM will be overseen by an international expert panel appointed by the
OGP Steering Committee. The expert panel will be charged with identifying
respected local experts in each OGP participating country to draft these
reports. Additionally this expert panel will develop a common framework and
questionnaire for all local country researchers, and provide peer review to
ensure that the highest standards of research and due diligence are applied
for every report.

The final country reports will be drafted by well-respected local experts
from each OGP member country, using the IRM's common framework, drawing on a
combination of interviews with local OGP stakeholders, analysis of relevant
data, and governments' own self-assessment reports."

Your responses to the questions below will help us to understand civil
society expectations of the IRM and on how to shape the mechanism. If you
have any questions, please don't hesitate to be in touch. We anticipate
further discussions over the next few months about reporting templates,
dissemination of the reports and ensuring the quality of the reports

____________________________________________________________
You received this message as a subscriber on the list:
     governance at lists.cpsr.org
To be removed from the list, visit:
     http://www.igcaucus.org/unsubscribing

For all other list information and functions, see:
     http://lists.cpsr.org/lists/info/governance
To edit your profile and to find the IGC's charter, see:
     http://www.igcaucus.org/

Translate this email: http://translate.google.com/translate_t