Solomon Islands: Citizen Involvement in Open Government Partnership and the furthering of Sustainable Development Goals.
I have followed events of the year (2019) in the Solomon Islands from afar and as the year draws to an end I take heart from the many positive initiatives and actions I have observed by individual citizens, by groups, business leaders, by the government and by development partners to improve the lives and welfare of Solomon Islanders.
Many challenges remain, too numerous to enlarge upon, but at the heart of all is what each and everyone must do by having the self-interest to induce change by supporting sound policies and good management practices to grow the economy and promote much needed development.
I would go further by mentioning compelling reasons regarding citizen engagement
- 1. As citizens you are central to government in a democratic country like the Solomon Islands.
- 2. To make a difference in the country development partners and institutions need to be visible and valuable to citizens.
- 3. The success and effectiveness of many public policies depend on the response of citizens and businesses.
- 4. Citizen engagement should not be seen as pitting citizens against the government, civil servants or Members of Parliament.
- 5. Citizen engagement should be seen as building trust, and
- Citizen involvement should be regarded as complementing the representatives of democracy.
The international community has come to recognise the importance of engaging citizens with the strong growth of an Open Government Partnership and citizen engagement within the Sustainable Development Goals process of a country.
Having an Open Government Partnership and pursuing Sustainable Development Goals are key factors for the Solomon Islands further progress in the year ahead and beyond.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
