Date Published: June 18, 2017, 9:42 a.m.
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Local governments all over the world need support to face the new challenges posed by new types of governance, as many of them lack the necessary capacities, resources or legal frameworks to effectively respond to the citizen’s demand for transparency and accountability in city management and for increased participation in the city matters. With increasing education and access to information, governing without the citizen has become nearly impossible in the world of today. Transparency and accountability are the key to give African citizens the tools and information they need to play a more active role in society, and are crucial for improving the lives of citizens by delivering services efficiently and effectively, increasing confidence and trust, and promoting development in an open, competitive, and fair manner.
The aim of this session is to discuss a holistic approach to strengthening local government integrity by highlighting innovative measures that local governments are experimenting to improve transparency and accountability in the field of urban planning and the provision of basic services while ensuring access, quality affordability and safety in the provision, on one side, and the control over the speculative physical development of the city. Another goal is to share practical experiences related to local government integrity in Africa and to identify needs and gaps that local government have today to face corruption and what can be done to support them in “doing their job” and to better serve the citizen. The session will also serve as pilot need assessment of a future possible project to be implemented in Africa by the organising partners.
TOPICS OF THE SESSION
Innovation and accountability in transparent municipal governance
Tax recovery and transparent management
Transparency and integrity in urban land governance
SPEAKERS
09.30 – 11.00: Session Part I. Thematic approaches to local transparency
Robert Beugré Mambe, Governor of Abidjan (Ivory Coast): the use of SMART technologies for transparent municipal revenue
Celia Cumbe, Financial Controller of Maputo (Mozambique): tax recovery and transparent management
Elijah Ochieng Ambasa, Transparency International (Kenya): Transparency and integrity in urban land governance
11.00 – 12.30: Session Part II. The infrastructure for local transparency.
Thembekile Kimi Makwetu, Auditor-General of South Africa: supporting local governments to be more transparent. What can national institutions do?
Chantal Uwimana, Regional Director for Africa Transparency International Secretariat: African local governments and transparency. Emerging regional challenges and opportunities.
Christel Alvergne, Deputy Director, Local Development Finance. UNCDF: Investing for transparency: the United Nations Capital Development Fund model
More information about the 7th Africities Summit at: http://www.africities2015.org/
For more information, download the concept note of the session download from below.