Promoting Open Public Administration in Belize

Open government is the central policy which maintains that citizens have the right the right to access public records, as well as government proceedings in order to allow for effective public oversight.  Shared access to information as a measure of ensuring accountability and inclusiveness is encouraged under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.  In Belize, a concerted effort is now being undertaken through the Trust for the Americas to carry out a project called “Transformation to an Open Public Administration.”  It is a partnership with the Organization of American States that has yielded Belize’s first Open Government Action Plan which sees input from civil society, academia, and the private sector.  It also involves stakeholder participation from organization such as the Belize Peace Movement. News Five spoke with Paco Smith of B.P.M. 

Paco Smith

Paco Smith, Belize Peace Movement

“It’s all about bringing Belize to a level with regards to transparency, accountability, adherence to the rule of law.  Those fundamental things that are central to the open government partnership.  Now the open government partnership is something separate and apart from this, but it represents where we want to take Belize with regards to accountability, transparency and what have you.  And in terms of the initiative that is being put on through the Trust for the Americas, this is an excellent opportunity for Belize to step into the forefront and get these types of things institutionalized.  It was all about dealing with capacity building, attuning the citizenry with regards to the concept of open government and open data.  I’d actually like to throw that in as well because open data is a very, very critical part of this entire schematic, so to speak.  Open data, it comes into the fore with regards to providing information to the public, or I should say, access to information for the public with regards to public services, government services and things of that nature.”

Isani Cayetano

“The arrangement between the government and the public, particularly the civil society, how does that work in terms of bringing about a certain kind of synergy moving forward?”

Paco Smith

“In terms of the arrangement, what we seek to develop is a partnership.  It all deals with collaboration, inclusivity and getting everyone, all the key stakeholders involved.  When we talk about key stakeholders, definitely civil society is part and parcel of the mix but we’re also looking at involving academia, as well as the private sector, as well as John and Jane Q. Public because individuals can contribute to this as well, as they have.”