Training workshop on the OGP co-creation process |26 October 2023

Delegates at the workshop

A two-day training on the Open Government Partnership (OGP), organised by the Vice-President's Office, started yesterday morning at the ICCS.

The training is being conducted by Kgothatso Semela from the Open Government Partnership Secretariat and Gustavo Perez from the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM).

Participants include members of the Multi-Stakeholder Committee, heads and representatives of civil society organisations, leaders and representatives of government departments and agencies, as well as members of the media. The OGP focal point has been established within the Cabinet Office, as determined by the cabinet of ministers.

The members of the Multi-Stakeholder Committee for Seychelles are Chrystold Chetty, co-chairman, Transparency Initiative Seychelles; Dr Frauke Dogley, CEO, Seychelles Islands Foundation; Philippe Michaud, chairman, Fisheries Transparency Initiative; Alvin Laurence, CEO, Ceps; Sherin Pillay Laporte, National Planning;  Doris Esther, Public Service Bureau; Thereza Dogley, CEO, Information Commission;  Hendricks Andre, DICT; Kevin Perine, PS, Local Government; Tania Isaac, National Assembly; Margaret Moumou, Point of Contact, OGP and Florry Payet, cabinet affairs.

Margaret Moumou, the OGP point of contact for Seychelles, highlighted that Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a global initiative that was launched in 2011. “It began as a collaborative effort between governments and civil society organisations with the aim of promoting transparency, accountability, citizen engagement, and the use of technology and innovation to strengthen democracy and improve governance.”

The roots of the OGP can be traced back to several key events and developments.

In 2010, the United States and Brazil initiated discussions on transparency and open government, resulting in the development of the ‘8 Principles of Open Government’, which outlined key principles such as transparency, civic participation, and accountability.

In September 2010, U.S. President Barack Obama and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff issued a joint statement known as the Open Government Declaration, calling on governments worldwide to embrace open government principles and inviting other countries to join in an international effort.

In 2011, a high-level meeting during the United Nations General Assembly marked the formal launch of the Open Government Partnership, bringing together representatives from various countries, civil society organisations, and international institutions.

The OGP officially began with the endorsement of the OGP Declaration by eight founding countries: Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, the Philippines, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. These countries committed to developing action plans to implement open government reforms and engage with civil society.

Ms Moumou added that since its inception, the OGP has experienced significant growth, with over 70 countries now members, each developing and implementing its own action plan to advance transparency and accountability. An essential aspect of the OGP is its emphasis on civil society participation, she said. “Civil society organisations actively contribute to OGP processes by providing input, monitoring progress, and advocating for transparency and accountability within their respective countries.”

Seychelles views its partnership with the OGP as a unique opportunity to embrace transparency and active citizen involvement as vital components for a functional democracy. Seychelles joined the OGP in 2018 and launched its first National Action Plan for 2019-2021, encompassing four key commitments: Strengthening public participation in the budget process; Implementing the Access to Information Act; Initiating the Fisheries Transparency Initiative and Creating an e-engagement portal to enhance citizen responsiveness.

Since 2019, numerous achievements have been recorded, but challenges have also emerged. With feedback and support from the IRM, Seychelles is now ready to embark on its second round of action planning.

Kgothatso Semela added that “Seychelles successfully implemented its first action plan in 2021, laying the foundation for the OGP process. There is an opportunity for institutionalising the process, aiming for greater ambition with explicit high-level support, and expanding the OGP structure and ecosystem in the country to involve civil society and other government branches or levels. Seychelles' action plan is due by December 31, 2023, with a primary focus on OGP participation and co-creation standards”.

The meeting decided on various priority areas for the country.

They included a modern public service, to further the Transformative economy agenda, have a more resilient tourism sector which is better integrated in the economy, and improve food security and economically sustainable import substitution, as well as the creation of avenues to encourage more consumption of local products in the agricultural sector.

Other priority areas are the promotion of value addition and the modernisation of infrastructure in the fisheries and blue economy sector, have a healthy nation, promotion of law and order, have a modern education system aligned with future needs and promote a sustainable and climate change resilience environment.

During this training session, the two facilitators led participants to explore the principles of open government, examining best practices from around the world, and learning how to apply these concepts in the local context. Together, they explored opportunities to enhance transparency in government operations, improve access to information, and foster collaboration between government agencies and civil society organisations.

The training also aimed to empower individuals and communities, creating an environment where every citizen feels heard, their concerns matter, and they have the ability to hold their government accountable. By embracing OGP principles, Seychelles is taking a significant step toward building a more just, inclusive, and responsive society.

Text and photos: Vidya Gappy