The Enabling Environment forSocial Accountability in Mongolia

Healthy Society Demonstration, April 2005

Purpose of the Study

* Analyze Factors Influencing Social Accountability (SAc)

* Identify Priority Areas for Reforms

* Identify Areas of Capacity Building

With the Overall Goal of Enhancing Good Governance

ARVIN Analytical Framework

Assess Enabling Environment for:

Association

Resources

Voice

Information

Negotiation

Mongolian Country Context

Rapid Economic & Political Transition but… Corruption in Key Sectors

Decentralization and Deconcentration but… Lack of Downward Accountability Centralization of Fiscal Management

Mongolian Country Context

Socialist Legacy of Human Development but…

Poverty

Urban-Rural Disparity

Political Deference and Passivity

Religion not Focal Point for Activism

Oyuna (WB-UB) and Head Lama,

Gandantsemnal Monastery (UB)

Mongolian Country Context

Nomadic Individualism Spatial Distance

Mongolian Civil Society

Large Number of NGOs

Impressive Array of SAc Mechanisms

Constraints Lack of Resources Politicization Lack of Knowledge of CSOs

Healthy Society Protest, 4-05

Familiarity with CSOs:“How much do you know about

CSOs?”

Source: Opinion Poll (April-May 2005): Question Q.

Much, 0.3%

Nothing, 41.0%

Little, 51.0%

Some, 8.0%

Methodology: Interviews and Focus

Groups

Stakeholders: CSOs, Media Workers, Public Officials, International Donors and INGOs

CSO Focus Group, April 2005

Methodology: CSO Survey

Random Sample of Registered (35) Active CSOs (61) Topics:

Organizational Information Organizational Resources Involvement in Social Accountability

Information, Voice and Negotiation

“How frequently has your organization been involved in the following areas?”

0%15%30%45%60%75%

Com

men

t

Advo

cacy

Cont

act

Hear

ing

Com

mitt

ee

Budg

etAn

alys

is

Mon

itor

Budg

et

Mon

itor

Serv

ices

Oth

er

Source: CSO Survey, Question H.

Rarely13%

Almost Never10%

Not Apply4%

Almost Always

13%

Missing4%

Sometimes56%

“How frequently has your CSO received requested information from

officials?”

Source: CSO Survey, Question BB1.

Methodology:National Opinion Poll

Over 600 respondents 50% in Ulaanbaatar 50 % in 3 Aimags

Topics: Political Activism The Political Economy Public Officials CSOs

Uverkhangai, April 2005

60%

69%

37%

24%

14%

31% 30% 28% 29%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

“What is your level of confidence in the following social and political institutions?”

Source: Opinion Poll, Question I.

“Are CSOs making an important contribution in the following

areas?”

0%15%30%45%60%

Mob

ilize

Res

ourc

es

Org

aniz

eAc

tiviti

es

Info

on

Budg

ets

Mon

itor

GO

M

Publ

icD

ebat

e

Gat

her

Opi

nion

s

Info

GO

MPo

sitio

ns

Assi

stIm

plem

ent

Source: Opinion Poll, Question R.

Case Study on Legal Advocacy:

National Center Against Violence

Voice, Information and Negotiation in:

Advocating for Legal Reforms Law Against Domestic Violence

(2004)

Advocating Implementation Transfer Shelters to State

Case Study on Local Governance:

Women for Social Progress

Information to Promote Accountability Triangle News

Promoting Forum for Negotiation Business Development Consultation

Seeking Voice in Local Governance Opposition to Market Relocation

Uverkhangai Market,April 2005

Case Study on Environmental Protection:

Ongi River Movement

Negotiation Association with Public Officials Knowledge of Environment Laws

Information GOM and Independent Studies

Voice Petitions and Meetings Workshops and Marches Artisanal Mining

Case Study on Public Service Delivery:

School Councils Negotiation Capacity Undermined

Disempowerment of School Boards/Councils

Voice limited “Elected” Representatives

Import of Access to Information Misappropriated School Funding

Focused Study on Media

Significant Growth in Number of Outlets

Legal/Regulatory Constraints

Informal Restrictions

Internal Constraints Lack of Professionalism Weak Funding Base Lack of Neutrality

PRTV (Ulaanbaatar)

Enabling Environment: Voice

Finding V1: Mongolians lack awareness of their civil rights, including Freedom of Expression.

Recommendation: GOM and CSOs should undertake programs such as civic education to improve awareness and understanding of rights.

Finding V2: Defamation laws unreasonably restrict expression and media reporting.

Recommendation: The GOM, CSO and media should collaborate to review and reform Defamation laws.

Enabling Environment: Voice

Finding V3: Poor journalism undermines the public’s right to diversity of reliable information.

Recommendations: CSOs, media and GOM should conduct a broad social consultation to find solutions to poor media reporting, including the possibility of the formation of a media council.

Finding V4: The registration system poses a threat to media independence.

Recommendation: GOM, media, and CSOs should consider revising the media registration system.

Enabling Environment: Voice

Finding V5: Licensing system fails to promote public interest broadcasting.

Recommendations: The autonomy and capacity of CRC (Communications Regulatory Commission) should be enhanced so that broadcast licensing can promote diversity of content and ownership.

Finding V6: The capacity of PRTV to produce programming in the public interest is undermined by resource constraints and political influence.

Recommendations: GOM should-with Donor support-build PRTV capacity for efficient management and resource mobilization and respect the independence of its Council.

Enabling Environment: Information

Finding I1: Mongolians have insufficient information about the decisions and proceedings of the GOM.

Recommendations: The GOM should make information about its

decisions and proceedings more accessible. CSOs should continue explore ways to enhance their

provision of alternative sources of information. Donors should consider providing start-up support

for these activities but overtime these costs should be transferred to the GOM and CSOs.

Enabling Environment: Information

Finding I2: Secrecy laws and culture are inconsistent with open government and obstruct citizen access to information.

Recommendations: Secrecy laws should be amended, openness training should be provided--with possible funding from the Donor Community--and senior officials should send clear signals promoting openness.

Finding I3: Public officials are denying and/or delaying access to information held by public bodies.

Recommendations: An Access to Information law in line with constitutional and international standards should be adopted and its implementation promoted through training and publicity.

Enabling Environment: Negotiation

Finding N1: Most Mongolians are insufficiently aware of the role of CSOs in promoting social accountability.

Recommendations: Stakeholders should educate Mongolians about the importance of and opportunities for engaging the GOM which should promote direct citizen engagement.

Finding N2: Mongolia’s governmental structures limit accountability of national and local governments and constrain citizen participation.

Recommendation: GOM should encourage citizen participation in the budget process.

Enabling Environment

Finding N3: The Community Score Card (CSC) could be enhanced to provide more opportunities for Voice, Information and Negotiation.

Recommendation: World Bank-supported Sustainable Livelihoods Project should explore expanded use of Community Score Cards.