Context
In recent years, the world has seen formidable manifestations of citizens’ engagement and demands for responsible and accountable governance. By taking to the streets to condemn corruption scandals, by rallying on social media to address growing inequalities or by participating in global consultations to develop the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ordinary citizens are increasingly eager and able to make their voices heard. At the same time, after several decades of progress, the space for citizens’ voices is shrinking globally as several governments raise legal barriers to constrain actions by civil society and their demands for accountability. Event recap and videos available online here.
“Citizen engagement leads to better development outcomes- but we need more evidence in the form of synthesis reports, systematic reviews”- Prof. Lily Tsai, director, @mitgovlab at the 3ie-IEG conference on #citizenengagement #Eval4goodgov
📺Watch live: https://t.co/LHwso08xcY pic.twitter.com/kRcCPEoifK— 3ie (@3ieNews) April 8, 2019
Event Description
In this context, 3ie and IEG are partnering to establish an interactive dialogue anchored in evaluative evidence, engaging stakeholders in ways that inspire them to make better decisions and ask better questions on the future of citizen engagement and accountable government. This one-day conference on citizen engagement and accountable government will be held in Washington, DC on 8 April 2019. It is the start of the 3ie Washington Evidence Week, which includes a series of internal and public events. Event details online here.
Prof. Lily Tsai Faculty Director, Governance Lab MIT @mitgovlab | There is less evidence for the “long route” to accountability than for the “short route”. Clear sanctioning mechanisms lead to better engagement & govt accountability. #Eval4GoodGov https://t.co/KQYJEQGa9P pic.twitter.com/YIDuDoPjVY
— IEG – WB Group (@WorldBank_IEG) April 8, 2019
High-level Agenda
Opening remarks: Alison Evans, World Bank Group and Emmanuel Jimenez, 3ie
The world today – citizen engagement and government accountability
- Moderator: Brenda Barbour, World Bank
- Discussants: Santiago Levy, Brookings Economic and Social Policy in Latin America Initiative; Lily Tsai, MIT Political Science
Reality check
- Moderator: Ruth Levine, William Flora and Hewlett Foundation and chair, 3ie board commissioner
- Discussants: Jean Arkedis, Results for Development; Jonathan Fox, School of International Service, American University and Accountability Research Center; Warren Krafchik, International Budget Partnership; and Jeff Thindwa, Global Partnership for Social Accountability, World Bank
Mapping the future
- Moderator: Marie Gaarder, 3ie
- Presenters: Elena Bardasi, IEG; Francis Rathinam, 3ie
- Breakout leads: Group 1: Beryl Leach, 3ie; Christopher Nelson, IEG; Group 2: Elena Bardasi, IEG; Gisela Garcia, IEG; Group 3: Birte Snilstveit, 3ie; Francis Rathinam, 3ie
Bridging the disconnect
- Moderator: David de Ferranti, 3ie
- Presenter: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, board chair, Gavi
- Discussant: Daniel Kaufmann, Natural Resource Governance Institute
Closing remarks: Alison Evans, World Bank Group; Annette Dixon, World Bank; and Emmanuel Jimenez, 3ie
Final takeaway on producing #evidence for citizen #engagement and #accountable government >> “Invest more effort in building houses (big picture evaluations) and not just bricks.” -Prof. Lily Tsai #Eval4GoodGov
Thanks to @3ieNews and @WorldBank_IEG for a thought-provoking panel! pic.twitter.com/KoE2IdkLli
— MIT GOV/LAB (@mitgovlab) April 8, 2019