I am fortunate to know and be in speaking terms with the British High Commissioner.  It had been instant rapport the first time I met His Excellency a month ago.  But on Thursday 14th March His Excellency surprised me with his advocacy of the values of Good Governance in SIBC evening news.  He had virtually been saying the very things I had lined up for this article.

Drawing from ‘The Footprint of Error’ article, released to mass media on the 10th and 11th January, this supplementary write up is to assist readers who may be not familiar with key points that had been advanced about the Principles of Good Governance.

There is no denying, we do have good, sincere and hardworking politicians who command respect and strive to steer governance processes in the right direction.  Sadly, these well-meaning individuals are still susceptible to being overshadowed by the more ravenous who have the ability to be outspoken and to exude daring vibes.  Our stand today must therefore be, to cultivate good quality characters and astuteness in leadership, the two essential traits for Good Governance.  They must be relevant to present day challenges and demands.  They must not be averse to changes and they must be champions of the comprehensive twelve commonly accepted principles of Good Governance.  Yes we need to focus on change from past errors if we are to attain sustainable viability moving forward.

Appearing hereunder are the 12 principles of good democratic governance, which represent fundamental values for effective governance:

1. Participation, Representation, Fair Conduct of Elections:
   • Local elections should be conducted freely and fairly, adhering to international standards and national legislation.
   • Citizens play a central role in public life at the local level.
   • All individuals of discernment age, regardless of gender, have a voice in decision-making, either directly or through legitimate representative bodies.
   • Decision-making considers the interests of all, including persons of special needs the less privileged and the vulnerable.
2. Responsiveness:
   • Objectives, rules, structures, and procedures should align with citizens’ legitimate expectations and needs.
   • Public services must be delivered promptly, and requests and complaints should receive timely responses.
3. Efficiency and Effectiveness:
   • Achieving results that meet agreed-upon objectives.
   • Optimal utilization of available resources.
   • Performance management systems to evaluate and enhance service efficiency.
4. Openness and Transparency:
   • Decisions made and enforced according to rules and regulations.
   • Public access to non-classified information (except for specified reasons like privacy protection or fair procurement procedures).
   • Information on decisions, policy implementation and results made available to the public.
5. Rule of Law:
   • Adherence to legal principles and norms.
   • Ensuring that laws apply equally to all citizens.
   • Upholding justice and protecting individual rights.
6. Ethical Conduct:
   • Upholding ethical standards in governance.
   • Avoiding conflicts of interest and corruption.
   • Ensuring integrity and accountability.
7. Competence and Capacity:
   • Building and maintaining the necessary skills and expertise.
   • Ensuring that public officials are competent and capable of fulfilling their roles.
8. Innovation and Openness to Change:
   • Embracing innovation and adapting to evolving needs.
   • Willingness to explore new approaches and solutions.
9. Sustainability and Long-Term Orientation:
   • Considering the long-term impact of decisions.
   • Balancing immediate needs with future consequences.
10. Sound Financial Management:
    • Responsible handling of public finances.
    • Transparency in financial matters.
11. Human Rights, Cultural Diversity, and Social Cohesion:
    • Respecting human rights and promoting diversity.
    • Fostering social cohesion within the community.
12. Accountability:
    • Holding public officials accountable for their actions.
    • Ensuring transparency in decision-making processes.

These principles are essential for democratic governance at all levels.  They are relevant from the highest Governing body of the land through all tiers of governance to village community groupings.

WILLIAM BARILE

HONIARA