United Nation’s Influence on Administrative Processes for Public Policy Development and Implementation
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.
By Lois M. Warner and Deborah Mohammed-Spigner
March 26, 2019
The
United Nations is involved in the development and implementation of public
policy across its 193 member states. It influences administration by advocating
and negotiating benchmarks, incentivizing innovation and disseminating good
practices. As a noteworthy example, the UN supports the development and
implementation of freedom of information laws (FOIA) that uphold the public’s
right to access information recorded by public organizations. This right is
documented in UN General Assembly Resolution 59, authored in 1946, and in
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, authored in 1948.
Democratic
theorists have recognized that citizens’ use of and access to government
information is fundamental for their participation in governmental and political
processes. Democracies have, therefore, moved to pass access-to-information
laws as part of the transition toward greater openness and transparency and henceforth
the facilitation of citizen participation. These laws, commonly called, “Right-to-know
laws,” open up government to public scrutiny and arguably enhance government functioning.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, however, few countries had FOIA. With
attention to citizen participation and civic engagement growing in countries
transitioning into democratic government, and to support achieving the
Millennial Development Goals (MDGs), the UN identified access to public
information as an important and essential step in that process.
The public, including civil society organizations, needed to be informed about various aspects of government in order to meaningfully participate in democratic practices and in decision-making about matters that would impact their lives. According to Feinberg, in his chapter entitled, “Open government and freedom of information. Fishbowl accountability?” in the Handbook of Public Law and Administration edited by Phillip E. Cooper and Chester A. Newland, there was no consistent government-wide approach to FOIA issues. Interpretation of FOI laws is often complex and varied and is left up to administrative and judicial bodies. At the fulcrum of decision-making in information policy are public managers. Public managers are responsible for exercising discretion as they implement, manage and shape this policy. Administrative procedures needed to be established to facilitate access to public information and the UN supported a forum for their development, and also for disseminating good practices through their publications, such as the World Public Sector Report (WPSR).
The year 2015 was designated as the target for achieving the MDGs and also serves as a checkpoint for accessing the implementation of FOIA across the UN member states. According to WPSR, by 2015, 62 percent of the UN member states had recognized the right to access public information in their constitutions. Numbers varied in the different world regions: 86 percent of the countries in Europe, 63 percent in the Americas, 45 percent in Asia, 19 percent in Africa and 14 percent in Oceana. Fifteen percent of the countries provide information about FOIA in multiple languages, and include appeal mechanisms for cases where withholding information, though seen as legitimate, can be challenged by the public. In most countries, administration provides a schedule for responding to requests for information. 61 percent are able to deliver within 20 days.
The UN has also influenced the development of Data Protection Acts (DPAs) in its member states and related administration. DPAs recognize that as important as freedom to public information is, the right to access some types of information would be detrimental and therefore should not be allowed. Rather, it should be safeguarded against public access. This includes information related to privacy and security. According to the WPSR, 2015 by that year, 82 of the member states had DPAs, including classification of specific types of data to which open access would apply.
So
far into the new millennium, the UN has influenced administration further through
its public service awards program that provides incentives for innovation in
public administration. Winning an international award has inspired high levels
of participation annually. Over 3000 cases have been nominated in categories
that include: fostering participation in policymaking decisions through
innovative mechanisms, improving transparency, accountability and
responsiveness in public service and improving the delivery of public services.
Many of the award-winning innovations incorporate the use of technologies to
achieve efficiency in public administration and more effective outcomes by expanding
outreach.
The
UN’s activities in influencing administration are well documented in their
publications, which are available in e-books and hard copies. Although available
worldwide, the publications on innovation are produced primarily in English.
They can be used as sources for alternative options in administration, as well
as to guide those interested in initiating and managing innovation in public
organizations. The cases highlight the problems being addressed, challenges
experienced and how they were resolved, lessons learned and contact information
for the award winners. More recently, the UN has also launched programs to
support nations in replicating innovations in countries where they are
applicable. Publications can be accessed from the UN searching for titles such
as, “Innovations in Governance and Public Administration: Replicating What
Works,” and, “Good Practices and Innovations in Public Governance.”
In conclusion, the UN’s work has been enhanced by its online network that enables its member states to share information and collaborate in knowledge building: United Nations Public Administration Network.
Authors: Lois M. Warner, Assistant Teaching Professor, School of Public Affairs and Administration. Deborah Mohammed-Spigner, Assistant Professor, School of Public Administration and Criminal Justice, Kean University.
(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)
Loading...
United Nation’s Influence on Administrative Processes for Public Policy Development and Implementation
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.
By Lois M. Warner and Deborah Mohammed-Spigner
March 26, 2019
The United Nations is involved in the development and implementation of public policy across its 193 member states. It influences administration by advocating and negotiating benchmarks, incentivizing innovation and disseminating good practices. As a noteworthy example, the UN supports the development and implementation of freedom of information laws (FOIA) that uphold the public’s right to access information recorded by public organizations. This right is documented in UN General Assembly Resolution 59, authored in 1946, and in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, authored in 1948.
Democratic theorists have recognized that citizens’ use of and access to government information is fundamental for their participation in governmental and political processes. Democracies have, therefore, moved to pass access-to-information laws as part of the transition toward greater openness and transparency and henceforth the facilitation of citizen participation. These laws, commonly called, “Right-to-know laws,” open up government to public scrutiny and arguably enhance government functioning. At the beginning of the twentieth century, however, few countries had FOIA. With attention to citizen participation and civic engagement growing in countries transitioning into democratic government, and to support achieving the Millennial Development Goals (MDGs), the UN identified access to public information as an important and essential step in that process.
The public, including civil society organizations, needed to be informed about various aspects of government in order to meaningfully participate in democratic practices and in decision-making about matters that would impact their lives. According to Feinberg, in his chapter entitled, “Open government and freedom of information. Fishbowl accountability?” in the Handbook of Public Law and Administration edited by Phillip E. Cooper and Chester A. Newland, there was no consistent government-wide approach to FOIA issues. Interpretation of FOI laws is often complex and varied and is left up to administrative and judicial bodies. At the fulcrum of decision-making in information policy are public managers. Public managers are responsible for exercising discretion as they implement, manage and shape this policy. Administrative procedures needed to be established to facilitate access to public information and the UN supported a forum for their development, and also for disseminating good practices through their publications, such as the World Public Sector Report (WPSR).
The year 2015 was designated as the target for achieving the MDGs and also serves as a checkpoint for accessing the implementation of FOIA across the UN member states. According to WPSR, by 2015, 62 percent of the UN member states had recognized the right to access public information in their constitutions. Numbers varied in the different world regions: 86 percent of the countries in Europe, 63 percent in the Americas, 45 percent in Asia, 19 percent in Africa and 14 percent in Oceana. Fifteen percent of the countries provide information about FOIA in multiple languages, and include appeal mechanisms for cases where withholding information, though seen as legitimate, can be challenged by the public. In most countries, administration provides a schedule for responding to requests for information. 61 percent are able to deliver within 20 days.
The UN has also influenced the development of Data Protection Acts (DPAs) in its member states and related administration. DPAs recognize that as important as freedom to public information is, the right to access some types of information would be detrimental and therefore should not be allowed. Rather, it should be safeguarded against public access. This includes information related to privacy and security. According to the WPSR, 2015 by that year, 82 of the member states had DPAs, including classification of specific types of data to which open access would apply.
So far into the new millennium, the UN has influenced administration further through its public service awards program that provides incentives for innovation in public administration. Winning an international award has inspired high levels of participation annually. Over 3000 cases have been nominated in categories that include: fostering participation in policymaking decisions through innovative mechanisms, improving transparency, accountability and responsiveness in public service and improving the delivery of public services. Many of the award-winning innovations incorporate the use of technologies to achieve efficiency in public administration and more effective outcomes by expanding outreach.
The UN’s activities in influencing administration are well documented in their publications, which are available in e-books and hard copies. Although available worldwide, the publications on innovation are produced primarily in English. They can be used as sources for alternative options in administration, as well as to guide those interested in initiating and managing innovation in public organizations. The cases highlight the problems being addressed, challenges experienced and how they were resolved, lessons learned and contact information for the award winners. More recently, the UN has also launched programs to support nations in replicating innovations in countries where they are applicable. Publications can be accessed from the UN searching for titles such as, “Innovations in Governance and Public Administration: Replicating What Works,” and, “Good Practices and Innovations in Public Governance.”
In conclusion, the UN’s work has been enhanced by its online network that enables its member states to share information and collaborate in knowledge building: United Nations Public Administration Network.
Authors: Lois M. Warner, Assistant Teaching Professor, School of Public Affairs and Administration. Deborah Mohammed-Spigner, Assistant Professor, School of Public Administration and Criminal Justice, Kean University.
Follow Us!