Introduction
On April 16-18, 2012, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) will hold its annual meeting in Brasilia, Brazil. Participants will include high-level representatives from OGP’s 50 member governments, civil society, the private sector, and the media.
At this meeting, all 42 new OGP member countries will present their country action plans, the 8 additional Steering Committee countries will share their progress to date, and all participants will join in thematic discussions and have the chance to input into OGP’s overall strategic vision for the future.
Civil Society Participation
As a joint government-civil society initiative, OGP is eager to support the participation of a diverse group of civil society representatives at the April 2012 meeting. OGP has resources to support the participation of up to one civil society representative from each of the 50 OGP participating countries. In addition, we have space for around 50-70 self-financed regional/international civil society representatives to participate. In order to ensure a transparent and open selection process, the OGP support unit has detailed the following process.
I. Local Civil Society from OGP Member Countries
If you are a civil society representative from one of OGP’s 50 member countries (full list can be found here: http://www.opengovpartnership.org/countries) that is actively working in the open government field, you are eligible to apply for support to attend the April 2012 meeting.
Wherever possible, OGP is seeking to have local civil society in each OGP country select their representative to the April 2012 conference themselves, rather than OGP picking the candidate. OGP will privilege applications from civil society representatives that can demonstrate an established track record of active engagement in the open government field, and the endorsement of fellow local civil society colleagues to attend the April 2012.
In instances where local civil society cannot come to agreement on a common delegate to attend the April 2012 meeting, the OGP Support Unit will do its best to recommend the candidate from that country whose application demonstrates the most experience and strongest civil society networks in the open government field.
After nominations are reviewed/vetted by the OGP support unit for completeness, they will be forwarded to a sub-group of the Steering Committee, comprised of both government and civil society representatives for decision. In making its decision diversity and balance shall also be considered.
Application Process for the April 2012 OGP meeting:
Please go to the following link to apply to participate as a local civil society organization at the April 2012 meeting: http://opengovpartnership.org/civil-society/application/local-april-2012
At this, you will be asked to provide the following information:
- A cover letter with the following information:
- Your experience in the open government field to date
- How you have been engaged with OGP to date in your country
- Why you want to attend the April 2012 meeting and how you will contribute to/learn from it
- What outreach you plan to do on OGP with civil society and others when you return home
- What funding you require to attend the Brasilia meeting
- A CV/resume
- A list of organizations, names and emails of their leaders that have endorsed your application to participate in the April 2012 meeting, and how the selection process took place (an in person meeting, an email vote, etc…)
All applications will be made public to ensure that local civil society are able to verify their endorsement of particular candidates where applicable. Questions or concerns about the selection process can be sent to Aprilmeeting@opengovpartnership.org.
Deadline for applications:
The deadline for applications is February 6, 2012.
OGP Response Timeline:
The OGP Support Unit will work with a sub-group of the OGP Steering Committee to finalize participant selection. OGP will aim to share the results of its selection process no later than February 22, 2012. The Support Unit will begin working with selected representatives to organize their travel at this time.
I. International Civil Society
Self-financed civil society organizations working in the open government field are also welcome to attend the Brasilia conference. We have around 50-70 slots available (to be determined by space) for self-financed civil society participants. Only one individual per organization can attend. These 50-70 or so groups are in addition to the civil society members of the OGP Steering Committee.
Application Process for the April 2012 OGP meeting:
The application process for regional/international civil society is open to all organizations with an established track record in the open government field until February 6, 2012.
Please go to this link to apply to participate as a regional/international civil society organization at the April 2012 meeting: http://www.opengovpartnership.org/civil-society/application/international-april-2012
At this link, you will be asked to provide the following information:
- A cover letter with the following information:
- Your experience in the open government field to date
- How you have been engaged with OGP to date in your country
- Why you want to attend the April 2012 meeting and how you will contribute to/learn from it
- What outreach you plan to do on OGP with civil society and others when you return home
- A CV/resume
Organizational information that demonstrates the following minimum transparency and accountability criteria (Please provide weblinks or direct documentation detailing these elements):
- Transparent governance structure
- Annual financial statements are subject to external audit
- Publish all sources of funding
- Publish operational budget
- Publish annual narrative and financial reports
Deadline for applications:
The deadline for applications is February 6, 2012.
OGP Response Timeline:
The OGP Support Unit will work with a sub-group of the OGP Steering Committee to finalize participant selection. OGP will attempt to privilege early applications, while at the same time seeking to reflect issue and regional diversity amongst participants. OGP will aim to share the results of its selection process no later than February 22, 2012.