The Open Government Partnership (OGP) turns one

The first anniversary of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) was celebrated in New York this week – on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The Open Government Partnership formally launched on September 20, 2011, when the 8 founding governments (Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, Philippines, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States) endorsed an Open Government Declaration, and announced their country action plans. Since 2011, 47 additional governments have joined the Partnership”. An infographic about the OGP is available here.
At the event the Independent Reporting Mechanism (IRM)  was launched– a panel comprising three high-profile senior advisors and five technical or policy experts. – who “will track progress and ensure strong accountability of OGP participating governments”.
The UK has taken up leadership of the Open Government Partnership (OGP). Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude wrote in a blog post in the Guardian that: “Open data is driving growth and prosperity. Data is the raw material of the 21st century and a resource for a new generation of entrepreneurs. But transparency is not just about economics. Transparency shines a light on underperformance and inefficiencies in public services. It allows citizens and the media to hold governments to account, strengthening civil society and building more open societies.”
Twaweza’s Rakesh Rajani from Tanzania made closing remarks at the event. “Noting that the OGP could be a breakthrough if governments organised to respond to citizens, Rajani underlined “[We need] to create a new collaborative way of doing government, a way that is less about issuing directives and more about creating conditions in which governments and citizens come together to solve common problems.” (See Rajani’s Remarks)