OVERVIEW
International organizations, governments, and civil society have come to a consensus over the last decade on the importance of good governance in economic and social development (Dressel, 2005). Governments must include the public and private sectors in the development and implementation of reforms or policies that are aligned with the SDGs and grounded in the local context. Moreover, the efficiency and impact of the government can be increased by strengthening good governance, especially in accountability, transparency, participation, and predictability (Dressel, 2005).
Thus, this year’s theme, Anchoring Sustainable Philippine Development in the Pillars of Innovative and Participatory Governance, highlights the critical role of innovation in fortifying various aspects of good governance toward transformative policymaking to promote an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for Filipinos.
PAST LECTURES
2024 Thursday Talks Lecture Series
LECTURE 1:Strengthening Public Accountability and Participatory Governance for Sustainable Development
April 4, 2024
The first lecture of the series will set the tone of the theme by introducing the interconnection between Philippine political institutions and sustainable development. Through this event, the lecture traces the development of the political institutions and how the current structure that we now know contributes to achieving justice, lasting peace, and strong institutions at all levels for Filipinos. The lecture will also highlight the importance of the rule of law, transparency, and participatory governance in fostering citizen trust and public accountability in order to strengthen the democratic institutions that leave no one behind. Lastly, it also aims to problematize what democracy means for Filipinos in the context of the changing socio-political and economic landscapes.
LECTURE 2: Building Trust: Opportunities for Citizen Participation in Public Accountability
June 13, 2024
This lecture aims to probe deeper into modes of citizen participation beyond elections, where integrity, transparency and accountability in government form the primary concern of the citizenry. In particular, fiscal accountability is conceived as a core issue that serves as a catalyst for increased citizen participation. Ensuing discussions will touch on some of the principal programs and strategies being implemented to promote fiscal transparency, as well as possible public policy agendas to encourage citizen participation in strengthening government accountability.
LECTURE 3: The Future of Truth: Navigating Information in the Digital Age
July 28, 2024
As information is a linchpin of democracy in countries such as the Philippines, the challenge lies in the rapid increase of information sources in this digital age, along with the decline in peoples’ attention span and information processing. Hence, this lecture aims to explore how relevant stakeholders can navigate the new and changing information landscape to strike the balance between protecting the rights of people and enforcing regulations and mechanisms to ensure free and balanced information literacy.