Asian Regional Conference
Local governance institutions in these countries are expected to assume greater responsibilities to promote participatory democratic practices, equitable development and effective provisioning of public services. As these institutions assume such roles and responsibilities, they must be capacitated as well as be made accountable to the citizens, particularly to the poor and marginalised.
The conference
The Asian Regional Conference on Effective Local Governance: Accountability, Participation and Inclusion is conceptualised as a multi-stakeholder platform of civil society organisations, academicians, government and donor agencies which engages in critical reflection on strengthening local governance in the region. It is envisaged as a forum for deliberating findings from empirical research, systematisation of learning from grassroots actions, and experiences from on-going policy engagements.
PRIA Global Partnership (PGP), with support from the Local Governance Initiative South Asia (LoGIn) — a project of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) — and LogoLink, undertook a number of empirical cross-country comparative research studies across Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka on democratic decentralisation, capacity development, democratic accountability, citizen participation and social inclusion, right to information and participatory planning.
Objectives
Specific objectives
- 01
Share knowledge and lessons
Sharing knowledge and lessons learned for enhancing capacities of practitioners in strengthening local governance institutions.
- 02
Identify issues and priorities
Identifying issues and priorities for multi-stakeholder actions at country and regional levels towards strengthening local governance institutions.
- 03
Catalyse a regional coalition
Catalysing a multi-stakeholder coalition in the Asian region which fosters cooperation and partnership for strengthening local governance institutions.
Outcomes
Expected outcomes
Shared understanding of emerging challenges
Among participants, on the emerging challenges of strengthening local governance institutions and their implications for future policies and programmes in the region.
A strategic direction with clear roles
Articulation of a strategic direction with clarity on roles and responsibilities for various actors in the regional coalition, to enhance efficiency in capacity development support to local governance institutions.
Organisers
Who convenes it
PRIA Global Partnership (PGP)
An initiative of PRIA to foster knowledge and relationships globally. PGP strengthens and nurtures partnerships across communities and countries to 'make democracy work for all citizens' through developing local capacities, harvesting and sharing innovations through research and action learning, organizing learning processes and promoting multi-stakeholder engagement and convening.
LoGIn South Asia
Local Governance Initiative South Asia is a project of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). It seeks to disseminate and upscale good practices and lessons learnt from SDC-supported projects in local governance and decentralisation in India and other South Asian countries, and supports knowledge exchange between developing countries and between Switzerland and South Asia.
LOGOLINK
The Learning Initiative on Citizen Participation and Local Governance is a global network of practitioners from civil society organizations, research institutions and governments, created to deepen democracy and social justice through greater citizen participation in local governance. Supported by the Ford Foundation, LogoLink encourages learning from field-based innovations and expressions of democracy that contribute to social justice.
Institute for Governance and Development (IGD), Nepal
IGD affirms the rights of all citizens, particularly the most vulnerable, discriminated and marginalised, to take part in the conduct of public affairs. It works on decentralisation initiatives aimed principally at strengthening legal frameworks and providing training to local elected authorities, disadvantaged and marginalised women, and other citizen groups.
Partner with us on governance, mediation and citizen participation
IGD works with local governments, development partners, civil society networks and community institutions across Nepal. Tell us what you are trying to change and we will tell you how we can help.