Citizen Engagement Self-Assessment Questionnaire

Ulrich GrauteUnited Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs

Beirut, Lebanon 3 - 6 December 2012

Presentation and Discussion at the EGM and Capacity Development Workshop

Part I: Concept and Structure � EGM

Part II: Testing and Next Steps � CDW

Citizens demand participation andeffective governance for development.

To achieve this governments need to examine the legal and institutional framework and identify practices for better engaging citizens.

But how to do this practically …

… and how can the UN help?

There is not the one and only approach or activity. Instead it needs the ‘right mix ’ of policies and activities.

In this context the self-assessment questionnaire can serve to identify what is the state of government-citizen relation.

The UN generally offers a variety of support options including Normative work, Policy studies and Capacity building / Technical cooperation.

The questionnaire can be used by member states on their own and in preparation of requests for further UN assistance.

intends to support assessing the existence and possibility of measures and/or institutional arrangements linking citizens more directly into the national decision -making processes.

The Self-Assessment Questionnaire

is designed to assist in taking stock of the regulatory framework, the organizational framework, channels and modalities, and outreach measures for citizen engagement.

The Self-Assessment Questionnaire

The questionnaire should be beneficial throughout the public policy process:

At early stages including periods of political transition or transformation to enhance public problem definition and to identify acceptable policy options;

Through the implementation stages by facilitating dialogue to support policy inclusiveness; and

To receive feedback while monitoring and evaluatingpublic policy programmes and their outcomes.

Three versions, customized for use by three stakeholder groups are planned:

- Public Sector

- Private Sector

- Civil Society

The Questionnaire has four sections:

1. Regulatory framework 2. Organizational framework 3. Channels and modalities 4. Outreach measures

Each reflects the three building blocks of CE: Information – Consultation – Decision -making

Regulatory framework

On what legal basis are actions taking

place?

Regulatory framework

Q1: Articles in the constitution

Q2: Experience implementing provisions

Q3: Legislation regarding public information

Q7: Legislation regarding consultation

Q9: Legislation regarding decision-making

Organizational framework

Who is doing what?

Organizational framework

Q1: Mandated government agencies to

coordinate public information

Q5: Data protection

Q7: Consultation on development

Q9: Decision-making on development

Channels and modalities

In which way and by what means are

activities carried out?

Channels and modalities

Q1: Language use

Q3: Modes for information

Q4: Channels for consultation

Q5: Modalities for decision-making

Outreach measures for citizen engagement

What level of outreach to citizen is

achieved?

Outreach measures for citizen engagement

Q1: Calls related to information, consultation

and decision-making

Q2: Governance actors involved

Q3: Interest in development management

Q6: Outreach to special groups

The self-assessment questionnaire can serve to identify what is the state of government-citizen relation.

The questionnaire can be used by member states on their own and in preparation of requests for further UN assistance.

Thank you for your attention

Ulrich Graute