The Aberdeen Agenda: COMMONWEALTH PRINCIPLES ON GOOD PRACTICE FOR LOCAL DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

Abstract

Commonwealth member states share common values of democracy and standards. The shared values, structures and experiences within the Commonwealth family provide a framework for working together in partnership and undertaking joint activities. As the designated Commonwealth organisation for local government, CLGF has been promoting local democracy and helping governments and local governments to assess the health of local democracy in their own countries. It has worked with members and key stakeholders to look at what factors, or principles, are important for local democracy and good governance. The 2005 Commonwealth Local Government Conference was held in Aberdeen Scotland in March 2005. The theme of the conference was deepening local democracy . It brought together more than 500 senior local government stakeholders from more than 40 countries to consider what makes effective local governance. The discussions at the conference led to the Aberdeen Agenda: Commonwealth Principles on Good Practice for Local Democracy and Good Governance which was formally approved by CLGF members. The Aberdeen Agenda presents a set of standards for healthy local democracy and good governance. All too often commitments or declarations made at international conferences are forgotten or not followed up. This has not been the case with the Aberdeen Agenda. The principles were formally incorporated as part of the Commonwealth’s fundamental political values at the 2005 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and reaffirmed at the 2007 CHOGM. They are intended to guide Commonwealth states on core principles for promoting local democracy and governance to ensure that local development is participatory and citizen-focused, benefits local people, and that citizens have a major say in their governance and development. Many countries are implementing these principles and assessing how they measure up to them. An in-depth assessment was done in Uganda, with the help of CLGF, to develop a methodology for assessing the state of local democracy in member countries. This methodology is being rolled out to other member countries. CLGF is also working with its members on specific principles, and has held specialised events on gender, inclusivity and funding. We hope that other countries will undertake reviews on how the principles are being followed, identifying strengths and weaknesses in their local government structures and systems to determine how improvements can be made. CLGF will assist it’s members as far as possible in this process to continually improve methodologies and strengthen local democracy and good governance.