The Enabling Environment for Social Accountability in Mongolia

1. The Enabling Environment forSocial Accountability in Mongolia Healthy Society Demonstration, April 2005

2. 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

3. ARVIN Analytical Framework Assess Enabling Environment for: • Association • Resources • Voice • Information • Negotiation

4. Mongolian Country Context • Rapid Economic & Political Transition but… • Corruption in Key Sectors • Decentralization and Deconcentration but… • Lack of Downward Accountability • Centralization of Fiscal Management

5. 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)

6. Mongolian Country Context • Nomadic Individualism  Spatial Distance

7. 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

8. Familiarity with CSOs:“How much do you know about CSOs?” Source: Opinion Poll (April-May 2005): Question Q.

9. Methodology: Interviews and Focus Groups • Stakeholders: CSOs, Media Workers, Public Officials, International Donors and INGOs CSO Focus Group, April 2005

10. Methodology: CSO Survey • Random Sample of Registered (35) • Active CSOs (61) • Topics: • Organizational Information • Organizational Resources • Involvement in Social Accountability • Information, Voice and Negotiation

11. “How frequently has your organization been involved in the following areas?” Source: CSO Survey, Question H.

12. “How frequently has your CSO received requested information from officials?” Source: CSO Survey, Question BB1.

13. 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

14. “What is your level of confidence in the following social and political institutions?” Source: Opinion Poll, Question I.

15. “Are CSOs making an important contribution in the following areas?” Source: Opinion Poll, Question R.

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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)

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.