KYRGYZSTAN TODAY Policy briefs on - Department of Geography
KYRGYZSTAN TODAY Policy briefs on - Department of Geography
KYRGYZSTAN TODAY Policy briefs on - Department of Geography
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– nati<strong>on</strong>al programs and projects;<br />
– regi<strong>on</strong>al studies;<br />
– sectoral (industrial) programs and projects.<br />
5. A wide range <strong>of</strong> c<strong>on</strong>stituents:<br />
– governmental organizati<strong>on</strong>s;<br />
– private entities;<br />
– n<strong>on</strong>-governmental organizati<strong>on</strong>s;<br />
– internati<strong>on</strong>al organizati<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
Negative Aspects:<br />
1. The “closed character” <strong>of</strong> independent studies, i.e. c<strong>on</strong>ducted for a specific<br />
client.<br />
2. Limited access for the parties c<strong>on</strong>cerned to the results <strong>of</strong> such studies.<br />
3. Fragmentary knowledge <strong>of</strong> m<strong>on</strong>itoring issues by NGO experts.<br />
This analysis revealed a real need for NGOs to participate in an independent<br />
(alternative) assessment <strong>of</strong> CDS implementati<strong>on</strong>, in such areas as:<br />
– the quality <strong>of</strong> governance and fighting corrupti<strong>on</strong>;<br />
– social priorities;<br />
– envir<strong>on</strong>mental security;<br />
– deregulati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> ec<strong>on</strong>omy.<br />
Importance <strong>of</strong> the Problem<br />
This article <strong>of</strong>fers an overview <strong>of</strong> the existing problem <strong>of</strong> enhancing NGO activities<br />
to participate effectively in the m<strong>on</strong>itoring and evaluati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> the CDS. What do we<br />
expect as soluti<strong>on</strong>s to this problem?<br />
First, NGO participati<strong>on</strong> in m<strong>on</strong>itoring and evaluating the implementati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> the<br />
CDS and its regi<strong>on</strong>al programs would ensure their transparency.<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>d, the participati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> NGOs in this process would help work out a mechanism<br />
for joint work with governmental authorities.<br />
Third, the participati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> civil society in m<strong>on</strong>itoring and evaluating the CDS would<br />
provide full and unbiased informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the progress <strong>of</strong> its implementati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Fourth, <strong>on</strong> the basis <strong>of</strong> alternative (independent) estimates by NGOs, the government<br />
and local administrati<strong>on</strong>s would be able to make timely adjustments to these programs<br />
and make the right decisi<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
A Brief Overview <strong>of</strong> the CDS<br />
What is the CDS, and how does it differ from previous socio-ec<strong>on</strong>omic development<br />
programs? Will NGOs be able to participate in the m<strong>on</strong>itoring and evaluati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> the<br />
strategy?<br />
At the moment, opini<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> the CDS are mixed. Some believe that the program<br />
does not receive adequate resources for individual events and areas, which leads to<br />
failure. Others believe that the CDS has a more solid financial basis than all previous<br />
programs. What does the nati<strong>on</strong>’s <strong>of</strong>ficial leadership say <strong>on</strong> this issue? In August 2007, a<br />
meeting between the President <strong>of</strong> the Kyrgyz Republic K. Bakiyev and the participants<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Nati<strong>on</strong>al NGO Forum-2007, emphasized the need to engage NGOs in the process<br />
<strong>of</strong> m<strong>on</strong>itoring and evaluati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> the Country’s Development Strategy. While welcoming<br />
the willingness by NGOs to participate in m<strong>on</strong>itoring the implementati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> the Strategy<br />
for 2008-2010, the Head <strong>of</strong> State stressed that the Strategy was very promising. As the<br />
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