Highlighting a significant advancement:
"Good Governance, Social Accountability and the Smart Village Model"
This In-Person and Zoom gathering aims to unite experts and community members to explore ways to enhance governance, accountability, and the implementation of smart village concepts. Attendees will meet at Hotel Cambodiana for engaging dialogues, networking, and actionable insights.
Participants, including policymakers and activists, will collaborate to foster a brighter future for villages and communities. This is a valuable opportunity for those passionate about making a positive change.
For more information, visit the Smart Village Lab at the University of Melbourne.
The Workshop Objectives:
1. Present the Smart Village Model from Melbourne University concerning local planning and addressing climate change and sustainable development.
2. Evaluate the effectiveness of government policies and programs pertinent to Sub-National Democratic Development 2020-30.
3. Enhance public service delivery and policy implementation using evidence-based reports.
4. Launch API Research and Digital Platforms focused on Environmental Education; Local Budget; Local Fundraising; Mobilizing Support, and online Monitoring and Evaluation.
Introduction to API:
The Advocacy and Policy Institute (API) is a key Cambodian organization aimed at building capacity in advocacy, policy influencing, citizen engagement, and governance. Their mission is to promote long-term democratic and social progress in Cambodia by enabling citizens to engage with their government, safeguarding their rights, and fulfilling their needs.
API envisions a future Cambodia by 2028 as a more inclusive society with sustainable development, effective governance, and adherence to democratic principles and human rights. Their strategic objectives include improved governance and accountability, the inclusive development and monitoring of public policies, and the respect for human rights.
In response to governance challenges in their target areas—such as regulatory gaps, enforcement issues, limited civic engagement, and inadequate decision-making—API, in partnership with the government, has initiated several projects aimed at enhancing these circumstances. Initiatives like Citizens' Voices and Actions for Sustainable Development (2020-2025), Innovations for Social Accountability (2019-2024), and Citizen Engagement for Social Accountability in Social Protection (2022-2024) have received funding from various international organizations.
API has also produced numerous reports and established digital platforms for data collection, analysis, and educational purposes, addressing issues across health, education, and local governance.
Moreover, API collaborates with the Smart Village Lab (SVL) from the University of Melbourne, recognized for their research aimed at aiding rural development globally and promoting sustainable development models with low carbon footprints. The Smart Village Model contributes significantly to the Sustainable Planet Initiative's mission.