Public Information

Fundamental to allowing the growth of civil society is he need to make public information available and accessible. Without this information, tools and resources, even the most energized public is unable to be truly active in the governance process. Public information is any information that is produced by the public sector but which does not infringe national security, legal right, or confidentiality agreements.

Once information is made accessible, the public will need to have the skills to properly utilize access, and interpret the information in order for it to truly be empowering. For information to empower people it must bring into focus the need to improve their capacity to analyze information and to act on that information by communicating views through a.) public hearings, b.) public meetings, c.) participatory planning committees, d.) focus groups, e.) surveys, f.) citizen advisory groups, etc. Parliament and other government agencies will also need to play their role in assuring that these mechanisms are made relevant and accessible to the community by strengthening community organizations, and sometimes facilitating collective approaches through citizen report cards.

Communities may develop communication networks that allow members of the community to develop a unified voice and make demands for services and information relevant to them, such as health care, education, water and employment. Participation is important because it allows engagement of citizens and organization in public policy debates, delivering public services, and monitoring and contributing to the management of public goods. Participation is critical to making development policy and public service action respond to the needs of the people.