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The growing prominence of civil society around the world brings with it a greater public responsibility and accountability. The Legitimacy, Transparency and Accountability (LT&A) Programme is committed to the enhancement of legitimacy, transparency and accountability of civil society organisations (CSOs) - as well as the public trust in CSOs - by improving their individual and collective governance. It also builds on CIVICUS efforts to promote new, more participative and accountable models of governance and partnership. The LT&A Programme, is an initiative to promote ethical practice and agreed codes of conduct for civil society organisations (CSOs), as well as for funders, governments and business. This programme aims to build the capacity for CSOs to respond to challenges to their roots, authority, and right to speak on behalf of broader constituencies. Ultimately the programme is aimed at strengthening the influence and public standing of CSOs, and their ability to act effectively, with integrity and for the public good. It relates to CIVICUS vision of a society in which the roles of civil society in development and governance are recognised, respected and fulfilled.

"We must be the change we wish to see in this world." Mahatma Gandhi

“Good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development.” Kofi Annan, former  Secretary General  of the United Nations

General Objectives

The specific objectives of the programme are to:

• Advance the international debate on CSO LT&A;

• Generate increased capacity, tools and resources to improve the quality and functioning of CSO boards and other formal CSO oversight mechanisms;

• Promote cross-learning and knowledge sharing amongst CSOs on improving LT&A mechanisms, while building on current best practices in this regard and;

• Generate wider commitment to the principles and values of LT&A.

Approach

The LT&A programme provides a platform for CSOs to come together to reflect on and assess the current state of civil society's legitimacy, transparency and accountability, as well as share past experiences and aspirations for the future. By guiding and facilitating global and national consultations on LT&A issues and developing capacity-building resources in regions and countries, the programme also promotes concerted responses to challenges on LT&A. CIVICUS works through its global membership base and associated networks to make a substantial contribution to improving civic engagement and the quality of citizen participation.

A full version of the LTA scoping paper "Civil Society Legitimacy and Accountability: Issues and Challenges," by Jagadananda, CIVICUS and David Brown, Center for Nonprofit Organizations. http://www.civicus.org/new/media/LTA_ScopingPaper.pdf
http://www.civicus.org/new/media/LTA_ScopingPaper_Fr.doc  (French)
http://www.civicus.org/new/media/LTA_ScopingPaper_Sp.doc (Spanish)

A chapter from the UNRISD commissioned paper, "The Evolving Politics of Global Civil Society Legitimacy," by Aruna Rao and Kumi Naidoo, 2004. http://www.civicus.org/new/media/LTA_conceptoflta1.2.doc

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