Essay On Good Governance

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GOOD GOVERNANCE Background: In the last decade, development literature increasingly emphasized the role played by good governance in maximizing the effectiveness of the development dollar and in achieving sustainable development. What is governance? The term 'governance' is used to describe the way in which a country is governed. It covers the range of political, economic and administrative decisions made by the government, business and civil society sectors as they manage a country's resources and affairs. What is good governance? The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) define good governance as: 'Good governance has eight major characteristics. It is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, …show more content…

It takes time to change behaviors and attitudes as well as resources for people in official positions not to be tempted to engage in corrupt practices. The global agenda: The critical importance of democratic governance in the developing world was highlighted at the UN Millennium Summit in 2000, where the world's leaders resolved to 'spare no effort to promote democracy and strengthen the rule of law, as well as respect for all internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development'. A consensus was reached which recognized that improving the quality of democratic institutions and processes, and managing the changing roles of the state and civil society in an increasingly globalize world, must underpin national efforts to reduce poverty, sustain the environment and promote human development. Governance and Anti-Corruption (World Bank): The World Bank's governance program supports countries in improving governance and controlling corruption. Programs take a strategic and integrative multi-disciplinary approach by: going beyond public sector dysfunction (the 'symptom') to assist countries in integrating institutional, regulatory and economic reforms (the 'fundamentals'); implementing rigorous empirical diagnostics and analysis, bringing about collective