Open government is the simple but powerful idea that governments and institutions work better for citizens when they are transparent, engaging and accountable.
Open government as an approach means that everyone can access relevant, usable, and timely information about government processes and decisions that impact their lives, and that everyone has an equal opportunity to participate freely in shaping the public policies and decisions that impact their lives. This includes governments collaborating with civil society, academia, private sector and others to find and implement innovative and sustainable solutions to societal challenges. Open government believes that everyone has the freedom and ability to seek effective redress when the rule of law is not upheld, their rights are not respected, or their needs are unmet, without risk or harm. This also means that public officials must be accountable for their decisions and actions, and public resources are managed transparently, fairly, and equitably.
Open government has three key principles:
- Transparency – opening up of government data and information on areas such as public spending, government contracts, lobbying activity, the development and impact of policy, and public service performance.
- Participation – support for a strong and independent civil society, the involvement of citizens and other stakeholders in decision making processes, and protection for whistleblowers and others who highlight waste, negligence or corruption in government.
- Accountability – rules, laws and mechanisms that ensure government listens, learns, responds and changes when it needs to.
Good open government reforms can transform the way government and public services work, ensuring that they are properly responsive to citizens, while improving their efficiency and effectiveness, and preventing abuses of state power.
The Open Government Partnership
In 2011, government leaders and civil society advocates came together to create a unique partnership — one that combines these powerful forces to promote transparent, participatory, inclusive and accountable governance. The Open Government Partnership now covers 75 countries and 150 local governments – representing more than two billion people and thousands of civil society organisations.