Title: Introduction to the guiding principles for enhancing alignment and harmonisation on local governance and decentralisation
1Session 1.1. Introduction to the guiding
principles for enhancing alignment and
harmonisation on local governance and
decentralisation
2Background
- 1996 Elaboration of the Habitat Agenda
(Istanbul) - "Sustainable human settlements development can
be achieved through the effective
decentralisation of responsibilities, policy
management, decision-making authority and
sufficient resources, including revenue
collection authority, to local authorities,
closed to and most representatives of their
constituencies" (paragraph 177) - "Governments should examine and adopt, as
appropriate, policies and legal frameworks from
other States that are implementing
decentralisation effectively" (paragraph 180)
3Background
- 2000 Adoption of the World Charter of Local Self
Government - This World Charter aims to draw up an
internationally agreed framework for the practice
of local democracy, as a vital contribution to
improving peoples living conditions in cities
all over the world.
4Background
- 2007 The international guidelines on
decentralisation and strengthening of local
authorities adopted by the Governing Council of
UN Habitat - These guidelines are a key instrument to promote
good governance at all levels and to strengthen
local authorities.
5Background
- 2009 publication of "International Guidelines on
Decentralisation and Access to Basic Services for
all". UN Habitat, 2009
6Decentralisation and local governance
- Political dimension
- participation
- decision-making
- leadership
- Technical dimension
- needs assessment
- planning
- negotiation of contracts
- accounting mechanisms
- monitoring/impact assessment
- Both requires
- capacity of all stakeholders involved
- sense of responsibility and ownership
- enabling institutional framework for
partnerships - Local actors have become key-players in
develoment
7Background
2006 Establishment of the informal Development
Partners Working Group on Local Governance and
Decentralisation (iDPWG-LGD)
8Aims of iDPWG-LGD
- Enhance coordination and harmonisation of
assistance in the area of decentralisation and
local governance - Contribute to an improved understanding of
different donor approaches - Build consensus around fundamental issues to be
considered when supporting decentralisation and
local governance processes
9Activities of iDPWG-LGD
- Sharing experiences and good practices
- regular meetings and workshops
- preparation of studies to take stock of
experiences - preparation of guiding principles and guidelines
- capacity development
10General guiding principles for enhancing
alignment and harmonisation on local governance
and decentralisation (2008)
- Foster exchange, dialogue and cooperation between
actors with a view to promote harmonisation - encourage common understanding of key concepts
- improve coherence, complementarity and
effectiveness of initiatives in support of DLG
11Main principles
harmonisation
12Specific guiding principles for enhancing aid
effectiveness that will apply to specific country
contexts (2009)
- Steps to be taken in order to apply the
principles in a more operational manner - Based on the Accra Agenda for Action
- Design country-based action plans for
implementation
13Walking tour
- The twelve specific guiding principles, with
their explanation, are pasted on the walls. - Visit them, and discuss them with your colleagues
- Write your first comments on the posters