The 12 global principles of good governance International Women’s Day: March 8, 2024

The universal definition of good governance is the responsible conduct of public affairs and the prudent and accountable management of public funds and other resources. It is encapsulated by the Council of Europe and adopted by the EU as the 12 Principles of Good Governance. These had been adopted by more than 200 countries all over the world. Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama asked me to lecture on these in the forthcoming General Assembly of the League of Cities, Philippines of which he is the National President.

The committee chosen by the Council of Europe enshrined these standards as the ultimate barometer for good governance and innovation. The Centre of Expertise endorses it to all central and local authorities as the universal moral compass for local and central executives in the performance of their official functions and in the delivery of public services. I have summarized them into four Es in Excellence, namely: Effectiveness, the achievement of pre-determined goals; Efficiency, the optimum and responsible use of resources including public funds and time; Ethics, which the uncompromising adherence to law and regulations and Empowerment which is the continuing capacity and capability building among people.

These 12 Universal Principles of Good Governance include: First, Citizens Participation and Representation; second, Responsive; third, Efficiency and Effectiveness; fourth, Openness and Transparency; fifth, Rule of Law, sixth, Ethical Conduct; seventh, Competence and Capacity; eighth, Innovation and Openness to Change; ninth, Sustainability and Long Term Orientation; Tenth, Sound Financial Management; Eleventh, Human Rights, Cultural Diversity and Social Cohesion and Twelfth, Accountability. The DTI's standards are only five: Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructures, Resiliency and Innovation.

The first principle on participation and representation requires that decisions should be with the approval of the majority of the constituents through consultation and representation in decision-making. And the rights and voices of the minority should also be heard. The second on responsiveness demands that government goals, programs, structures and timetables should respond to the needs of the people and the solutions to the problems must be in direct and prompt response to the needs of the constituencies. The third on effectiveness and efficiency demands that objectives are chosen by the people and the public functionaries should use public resources prudently and responsibly.

Fourth, public functions should be open to public scrutiny and government decisions should not be hidden from the people. Fifth, there should be an uncompromising adherence to law and deviations should be detected, investigated and punished if warranted by the facts. Sixth, over and above the law are higher standards of ethics. moral values and a sense of honor and valor. Seventh, all public officials and personnel should have adequate KASH, adequate and appropriate competence, proper and righteous attitude, well-honed skills and effective habits. Eighth is openness to change and an attitude for continuing improvement through innovation and technology.

Ninth, government functions should be sustainable and have long-term viability. Tenth, there should be a sound and wise management of finances and public resources. Eleventh, includes inclusivity, cohesion and diversity. In a world where there are many variances of gender beyond LGBTQIA ++, good governance should not judge people by their sexual orientation but by their capacity and capability to create and add value to the delivery of public services. Lastly, all governance should be accountable, responsible and answerable to the people.

All these are the criteria by which to judge local government units and evaluate the performance of mayors, governors and presidents. It is not enough that public officials are popular. They must deliver concrete results and remain faithful to all the rules. The bar of excellence has been raised higher. Those who aspire to serve the people must deliver their best There is no assurance either that their best is enough.

Expectations are moving targets. The people's demands keep rising up. Those who want to survive should ceaselessly do more and deliver results beyond the ordinary.

Between 1909-1911, working women in the United States united to protest against low wages, lack of protective legislation, and, harsh working conditions. The tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in March 1911 in New York City, claiming the lives of over 140 working girls, primarily Italian and Jewish immigrants, triggered demonstrations especially against appalling working conditions and unfair labor practices.

In Europe, Clara Zetkin and the Socialist Women’s International advocated for March 8th to be recognized as International Women’s Day (IWD), annually celebrating working women worldwide.

The United Nations officially recognize March 8 as International Women’s Day, an annual global commemoration recognizing women’s accomplishments and the need for women empowerment and gender equality.

The 2023 Global Gender Gap Report noted that that gender parity is 131 years away, that it will take 131 years to close the global gender gap!

There has been progress observed, however. In sports for example.

In the 1924 Paris Summer Olympics, women made up 5% of the athletes. In the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, 100 years later, women will make up 50% of athletes for the first time ever, the first Games to reach full gender parity!

Out of the 10,500 athletes participating in the Games, 5,250 will be men and 5,250 women!

While the 2023 Global Gender Gap acknowledged gaps in educational attainment and health/survival nearly closed, it also noted, however, that progress on gaps in economic participation and opportunity and political empowerment continues to lag worldwide.

“If current trends continue, more than 342 million women and girls could be living in extreme poverty by 2030.

To ensure women’s needs and priorities are considered, governments must prioritize genderresponsive financing and increase public spending on essential services and social protection.

Policymakers must also value, recognize, and account for the vital contribution women make to economies worldwide through paid and unpaid care work.

Women spend around three times more time on unpaid care work than men and if these activities were assigned a monetary value, they would account for more than 40 per cent of GDP.”

Hence, the significance of this year’s official United Nations theme for International Women’s Day: Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress. “Investing in women and championing gender equality turbocharges a future where everyone in society can thrive, creating a world of boundless opportunity and empowerment for all.”

The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) joins and has lined up activities for this March 8 International Women’s Day. The PCW has also earmarked the whole of March as Women’s Month with activities “aligned with national and international agreements, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Beijing Platform for Action, the Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development (1995-2025), the Framework Plan for Women, and the Sustainable Development Goals.”

The national commemoration intends to mobilize support for gender equality and inclusivity and the commitment to leave no one behind, with the hashtag#WEcanbeEquALL!

The 2024 National Women's Month Celebration capitalizes on the recurring theme “WE for gender equality and inclusive society,” introduced in 2023.

“WE represent Women and Everyone, highlighting the collective responsibility for gender equality, not solely resting on women but involving everyone. WE also symbolize Women’s Empowerment, a goal achievable when various entities, ranging from agencies and institutions to private partners and duty-bearers at national and local levels, ensure women equal rights and opportunities. Inclusive society goes beyond a gender-responsive approach; it champions a society that surpasses the distinctions in class, ability, generation, status, culture and SOGIE (sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), a society where every individual, each endowed with rights and responsibilities, plays an active role, and a society that embraces and celebrates diversity.”

This March, our big salute/thanks also to our women eco-warriors who joined us for our Love Our Earth campaign!