Share Your Experience with Private Sector Partnerships on Open Governance

The Private Sector Council on Open Governance is seeking examples of corporate or business-oriented programs to promote better governance in countries and communities around the world. For instance:

• Microsoft has held open dataBy opening up data and making it sharable and reusable, governments can enable informed debate, better decision making, and the development of innovative new services. Technical specifications: Polici... hackathons to develop applications for disaster reduction and recovery, in cooperation with the Government of the Philippines and the World Bank.
• The Makati Business Club has established a Coalition Against Corruption to support projects in procurement reform and delivery of public services, in cooperation with academe, the business sector, civil society organizations, and the Church.
• The Thomson Reuters Foundation ranked the transport systems in terms of safety for women in 16 major cities. In each city, it surveyed women and experts focused on women’s rights, genderOGP participating governments are bringing gender perspectives to popular policy areas, ensuring diversity in participatory processes, and specifically targeting gender gaps in policies to address gov... equality, urban planning and gender-friendly urban spaces. 

To submit your examples to the Private Sector Council, please complete the questionnaire by August 31. Your examples will help to map and communicate private sectorGovernments are working to open private sector practices as well — including through beneficial ownership transparency, open contracting, and regulating environmental standards. Technical specificat... roles in governance partnerships and better align governance programming with existing private sector strengths. Our aim is not to raise funding for partnerships but to identify and share effective practices. We will share the results of the survey at the 2015 OGP Global Summit in Mexico City, Mexico.

The Private Sector Council was established in 2013 to engage diverse businesses and entrepreneurs in promoting open governance, economic growth, and local innovations. The Council coordinates private sector participation in the Open Government Partnership: a 65-country alliance of governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to promote transparencyAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, transparency occurs when “government-held information (including on activities and decisions) is open, comprehensive, timely, freely available to the pub... More, accountability, and civic participation within member countries. 

What we are looking for:

The Council invites examples from any of the 65 participating countries of the Open Government Partnership of initiatives that promote the core values of the partnership:

• Transparency: of government-held information; mechanisms to strengthen open access to government information.
• Accountability: rules and mechanisms for government actors to justify their actions and performance; act upon criticisms or commitments.
• Participation: citizens engage in dialogue on government policies or programs; provide input or feedback leading to more responsive, effective governance.
• Technology and Innovation: open access to technology; increasing the capacity of citizens to use technology.

In particular, private sector programs and partnerships that apply these values to address the following social challenges are welcomed:

1. Improving Public Services—measures that address the full spectrum of citizen services including health, educationAccountability within the public education system is key to improving outcomes and attainment, and accountability is nearly impossible without transparent policies and opportunities for participation ..., criminal justiceTo address barriers that prevent citizens from having their justice needs met, OGP participating governments are working to expand transparency, accountability, and inclusion into all systems of justi..., water, electricity, telecommunications, and any other relevant service areas by fostering public service improvement or private sector innovation 
2. Increasing Public Integrity—measures that address corruption and public ethics, access to information, campaign finance reform, and media and civil society freedom
3. More Effectively Managing Public Resources—measures that address budgets, procurement, natural resources, and foreign assistance
4. Creating Safer Communities—measures that address public safety, the security sector, disaster and crisis response, and environmental threats
5. Increasing Corporate Accountability—measures that address corporate responsibility on issues such as the environment, anti-corruption, consumer protection, and community engagement 

We are interested to hear about actual projects and services; consultative processes that engage business and other stakeholders; and principles-based initiatives. Examples from national OGP programs and independent initiatives are both welcome.

We will be grateful to receive your completed questionnaire by August 31.

For additional information about the Private Sector Council on Open Governance, contact: Kim Bettcher, Center for International Private Enterprise: kbettcher@cipe.org