Connecting the dots: the coordination challenge for the Open Government Partnership in South Africa

Abstract

The Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a multilateral initiative which aims to secure concrete commitments from governments to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption and harness new technologies to strengthen governance. For South Africa, one of OGP’s founding countries, membership presents a real opportunity to advance open government. But for this to become a reality in implemention, interdepartmental coordination within the government needs to function properly. This applied research, from the Open Democracy Advice Centre, examines examples of best and worst practice in inter-departmental coordination from several OGP member countries in order to draw out lessons for advancing South Africa’s commitments under the OGP.