Date: 23 June 2011
In order to participate, please register/RSVP to to receive further information and log-in details.
Participatory governance, i.e. processes seeking to empower citizens and their groups to participate in public decision-making, has been gaining increasing acceptance as an effective means to tackle ‘democracy deficits’ and improve public accountability in both the global North and the South. Around the world, a growing number of governments and their partners in civil society are experimenting with innovative practices that seek to expand the space and mechanisms for citizen participation in governance processes beyond elections. CIVICUS has documented these methods and tools, ranging across the different stages of the policy cycle, and a database of participatory governance tools and approaches is now available online at www.pgexchange.org. There is a growing body of evidence that participatory governance practices are contributing to stronger government transparency, accountability and responsiveness, improved public policies and services, and citizen empowerment. At the same time, it is widely acknowledged that participatory governance is about much more than the tools alone, and that in order to have the desired impact, the intervention needs to be mindful of the context in which it operates, and simultaneously work towards enhancing the preconditions for effective participation.
With presentations from several internationally renowned practitioners, this webinar will examine some of the critical success factors for participatory governance interventions, including the legislative framework and access to information, role of the media, and capacity of and relations between the stakeholders. The participants will also learn about the key findings from DRC Citizenship’s recently concluded 10-year research on citizen engagement, as well as get a brief tour of the resources and services made available at the PG Exchange online resource centre.
The presentations will be recorded and made available together with slides and key readings for later download, in order to make them accessible for practitioners in different time zones. The session will be conducted in English only. Participants will have the opportunity to provide questions and comments through an instant messaging function. Follow-up discussion and reflection will be coordinated via the PG Exchange online platform.
The webinar session will be held on Thursday 23 June, 2011, at 12.00pm UTC/GMT. The session is expected to last 1.45h.
In order to participate, please submit your RSVP/Registration via email to no later than by 21 June, 2011. You will receive the log in details and other requisite information. Registrations will be accepted on a first come first served basis.
Space is limited so mark your calendar and register now!