KYRGYZSTAN TODAY Policy briefs on - Department of Geography

Chinara Esengul,
Project Officer, SRC, AUCA
Institutionalizing Dialogs between Non-governmental
Organizations and the Government
Summary
The question of institutionalization of dialogs between government and nongovernment
organizations has become an important issue in ensuring the effectiveness
of the policy-making process. At the same time, no model of institutionalization has
been well-established and widely accepted. The forms of dialog depend on a specific
country context.
In most cases, the institutionalization of dialog implies three major elements as the
basis of productive cooperation between government and non-government organizations.
These are 1) the existence of government unit or official position responsible for working
with the third sector; 2) a policy document or strategy, which sets out the government
vision of relations with NGO sector; 3) agreements or other written covenants between
the first and third sectors. 1
This briefing considers these elements of institutionalization by analyzing the case
of Kyrgyzstan, using Poland’s experience to draw some relevant policy lessons. It aims
at outlining concrete agencies, structures, procedures and mechanisms and providing
recommendations on improving the dialogue between concerned actors. 2 These policy
recommendations may be of interest and use for government officials, and equally
important to NGO managers and activists and others who have academic or practical
interest in this field. 3
The problem
The main problem is the absence of any formalized, stable, systematic and legally
prescribed forms and procedures of inter-sector dialog. The question remains: will the
1
UNDP, Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States, “<strong>Policy</strong> process reform: institutionalization
of consultations between government institutions and non-government organizations in the CIS countries,”
Bratislava, August 2002, p.20.
2
The policy brief defines “civil society” as the unity of three sectors of society: government, commercial
and non-government (non-commercial). Within a broad range of civil society organizations, the policy
brief will focus on the role and practices of non-governmental organizations, since the latter is the most
socially active and represented actor within the civil society in Kyrgyzstan.
3
The author expresses her sincere thanks to the Institute of Public Affairs, Poland, and to the Center for
Public <strong>Policy</strong>, Kyrgyzstan as well as to all interviewees in Poland and Kyrgyzstan. This policy brief would
not have been possible without their support and cooperation.
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