Schools as Champions for Social Accountability

by Chad Osorio

The author with CHED Chairperson Dr. Patricia Licuanan

24 April 2014 — ANSA-EAP was invited by the World Bank as an interested Civil Society Organization (CSO) for the KDC Meeting 2014. Knowledge Development Centers (KDCs) are policy institutions and universities, in partnership with the World Bank, which organize knowledge exchange about development issues.

The participants of the activity are the presidents and heads of universities and institutions, heads of the research department or outreach and community extension program, KDC coordinators, and KDC information officers. Development partners, select government agencies and civil society organizations also participated in the activity.

The Meeting, entitled “Exploring Approaches to Community Engagement,” highlighted the results of a study conducted by the World Bank, with support from the Government of Australia, on the approaches to community engagement of universities (ACE-U). The activity also provided a venue to discuss the programs of selected government agencies and identify opportunities for KDCs to participate in those programs. In particular, it focused on the current status of the community engagement programs of the universities in the country and the assistance of different partners to bridge the knowledge gaps and provide a better knowledge platform to their local communities.

Fulfilling Constitutional Mandate: Involving The Youth in Social Accountability Initiatives

Political Science students listening attentively to the Social Accountability and

Open Contracting lesson.  They will then be required to submit outputs based

on experiences in applying what they have learned.

by Chad Patrick Osorio

Open Contracting (OC) can be viewed both as a strategy and a tool for Social Accountability.  It refers to government disclosure and citizen participation in the public contracting process, from the inception stage and planning to the performance and delivery of contractual obligations, involving constructive engagement between government and citizens in the entire decision-making and implementing process. Its goals are for better facilities and infrastructures, more efficient delivery of goods and services, and the furtherance of the protection of the rights and welfare of the population. In sum, the OC advocacy aims to promote the efficient, effective and economic use of public funds through collaborative efforts of civic engagement.

Clearly, the role of citizens in Open Contracting is essential, as it forms a pillar on which the entire process stands. Citizenry is composed of a number of actors, including organized civil society groups lobbying for common causes, local communities, and various social sectors. One of these key groups is the youth.