Citizens demanding good governance
A landmark, nationwide effort is inspiring Cambodians to participate in governance and engage local officials
Cambodia has made extraordinary progress over the last 30 years. Human welfare has improved through more than a decade of 7+ percent growth, and increases in foreign investment have delivered new prosperity. But to sustain development, governance structures must be strengthened. Our Demand for Good Governance project, funded by the World Bank, is a landmark, four-year effort that fosters new models of partnership between citizens and government. The project is empowering Cambodians to engage constructively with government and hold the state accountable, using tools such as citizen report cards, alternative dispute resolution, and investigative journalism. The program is already empowering organizations operating in 20 provinces. Some have provided citizen feedback on commune development plans; in others, citizen monitoring has enabled groups to work with local government officials to improve community healthcare services. A centerpiece of the effort, the inaugural Forum for Development Ideas, showcasing innovative governance projects, was jointly organized by The Asia Foundation and Cambodia's Ministry of Interior and attended by more than 500 participants.