Definitions of terms
Transparency - Ensuring Transparency and Information Sharing
This means connecting with others and sharing information amongst members of civil society alliances and with other stakeholders. This can be at many different scales, for example, transparent programming at an organisation level, information sharing between civil society alliance members or requesting anti-corruption and democratic measures be embraced fully at a governmental level. It also means developing open processes and developing trust in the form of strong partnerships and frank and open discussion about key issues.
Accountability - Demonstrating Mutual Accountability
Accountability means demonstrating why and how activities have been undertaken and having processes to track progress and ensure achievement of set commitments leading to a positive impact on nutrition outcomes. This means individuals and institutions taking responsibility to ensure that activities are undertaken as planned, reporting is adhered to and that finances are managed transparently and openly. Good accountability includes eliciting feedback from the communities and organisations the civil society alliance represents and developing feedback loops so that there is a clear reporting procedure in place to ensure communities are respected and human rights principles not compromised and are actively promoted. The same applies to government and all other stakeholders which have a duty bearing responsibility. If appropriate processes are not followed there needs to be a mechanism for highlighting problems and for action to be taken to rectify the situation. In order for this to be possible an environment of mutual accountability is required between all members of the civil society alliance and other actors such as local communities and partners, government, business, academia, donors and the UN system. Mutual accountability means not only being open and transparent but also actively disseminating information that encourages accountability while recognising the different roles which stakeholders may have within the context of improving nutrition and realising the right to food. For example, reporting on impact, ensuring that financial information is updated and making a commitment to circulate this regularly in a format that other members of the civil society alliance as well as local communities can understand. Local communities and partners should not only be mobilized to participate in service delivery but also be empowered with financial and other data to hold the CSA to account. This may mean displaying this information visually for those that are unable to read or holding an open workshop session to let them know how resources have been used and garner feedback and input into how these resources are used in the future. Mechanisms for accountability are not only necessary in order to ensure accountability to donors but are vital to maintaining and building on relationships with local communities.
Mutual accountability can include:
• Accountability of governments to the general population and vulnerable communities
• Accountability of CSOs to general population and vulnerable communities.
• Accountability between sectors of government through the multi-stakeholder platforms
• Accountability between different stakeholders of the multi-stakeholder platforms
• Accountability between CSOs within the CSA
• Accountability between CSA and Participating United Nations Organisation (PUNO)
Responsibility
Responsibility comes from individuals and organisations awareness of their roles and responsibilities to each other. This is relevant both between different actors such as civil society groups and government as well as within those groups. Being responsible also involves a commitment to working together in a constructive way. At a civil society alliance scale this can mean developing terms of reference including clear roles and associated responsibilities for members. Accountability rests upon individuals and organisations taking responsibility for the activities of the CSA and actively ensuring that the CSA delivers to its commitments and has as great an impact on nutrition as possible. Developing clear plans including achievable goals for CSA activities and then communicating progress on these regularly is necessary to demonstrate responsibilities are being fulfilled and to enable accountability both within the CSA and to other stakeholders.
Participation for everyone
Participation is about more than encouraging all stakeholders to participate and share their point of view. It also means actively ensuring there are mechanisms that enable them to do so. Equality should be promoted and diversity valued. There should be a focus on the development of mechanisms that ensure the active participation of disadvantaged or marginalised groups such as women, children, people with disabilities and those discriminated against as a result of factors such as their age, race or economic status. Including those who are experiencing violations of their right to food is vital to this. Inclusive, true and open participation is based on trust and acting with integrity from all stakeholders within the CSA and the broader multi-stakeholder group. Participation means actively reaching out to existing and potential CSA members. Participation of all can mean that things take longer and resources must be invested to ensure participation of communities and key individuals. However, in the long-term the gains are likely to be an improved sense of ownership and the active participation of organisations who feel an incentive to contribute time, resources and energy to the goals of the civil society alliance.
Participatory Democracy
One way of encouraging participation might be through adopting the principles of participatory democracy . This means that citizens are active participants not only consulted for their views and perspectives but also able to work alongside policy makers and institutions in order to develop mechanisms and approaches that reflect their priorities. This does not mean that citizens take on the role of duty bearers but that they are involved in encouraging the duty bearer to take responsibility.
Responsiveness – being constructive and supportive
Responding to the needs of the population that is served and demonstrating that their views, opinions and priorities are valuable means actively using these opinions to inform alliance activities. Responding to local needs means responding consistently and with a clear and transparent process that withstands external scrutiny. This is also about ensuring that any concerns are dealt with clearly and openly and that there are clear and transparent policies and/or practices in place that are utilised to guide the way in which the CSA operates within the alliance and as part of their contribution to broader mutli-stakeholder efforts/ processes. One outcome of good governance and in particular responsive, consistent communication is trust from communities and stakeholders.
Effectiveness – Leadership that achieves results
Working in alliances can be challenging, and the reason groups do so is to achieve more as a collective than is possible as one voice alone. Alliances need to be galvanized by a powerful, compelling vision and speak with a unified voice driving themselves towards achieving results. Personal grudges and biases should be minimised and agreement reached to support leaders within the coalition that are democratically elected and represent community perspectives.. Generating alignment and strategic focus within an alliance requires the skills and commitment of everyone.