THP perspective: Participatory Local Democracy is the only society-wide mechanism through which people can take direct action to meet their basic needs. Yet too often local governments in developing countries are starved for resources and decision-making authority.
In partnership with the UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF), THP works to cultivate a global community of practice to strengthen Participatory Local Democracy and raise its profile on the international agenda. This initiative has its own website and mailing list here.
Key interventions:
- Mobilizing and developing grassroots civil society that can engage with local government.
- Mandatory mechanisms for social accountability.
- Citizen Charters, that clearly inform people of their rights.
- Participatory Planning
- Participatory Budgeting
- Open Government Partnership
- Ombudsman
Key messages:
- All politics is local.
- As a matter of human dignity, government decision-making should be moved as close to the people as possible (the principle of subsidiarity).
Global campaigns and initiatives:
- Agenda 21 – the outcome document of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio – designated Local Authorities as a major group. ICLEI organizes that major group.
- Global task force to include local government in the Post-2015 agenda
Key agencies:
- UN Habitat
- UCLG – United Cities and Local and Regional Governments.
Key reports and data sources:
- The Hunger Project’s State of Participatory Democracy Report.
- The World Bank – Public Sector Governance
- Portal on Practice in Participation (By Pria, India)
Relevant Posts on this site:
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