Blog by Caya Johnson, Global Youth Advocate
“Throughout history, progress has always been driven by citizens, who have the courage to raise their voices” – US President Barack Obama, Open Government Partnership Side-Event, 24 Sept. 2014
By empowering people around the world to have their priorities heard at the UN, the MY World 2015 Global survey has enabled a more transparent and accountable international development process – so perhaps it is unsurprising that these people have a similar aspiration for the openness and accountability of their own governments. Out of the 16 MY World priorities, “An Honest and Responsive Government” is the 4th most voted for worldwide.
Disaggregated MY World Results on “An Honest and Responsive Governance”
Furthermore, the MY World survey indicates that in low-HDI countries people feel that governance has a very real impact on their lives. In these countries an honest and responsive government is the 2nd most voted for priority on average, indicating that governance and poverty are indeed linked. This linkage is backed up by research carried out by Transparency International showing a clear connection between poor governance and poverty.
Continue reading “An Honest and Responsive Government – the Role of Citizen Voice”