Just & democratic governance

Our goal of just and democratic governance recognises that in the fight against poverty, we can have greater impact when governments and powerful institutions are held to account by the people they affect.

ActionAid believes that democratic governments can and must act on behalf of citizens - upholding social & economic rights and the principles of justice for poor and excluded people.  The responsibility for this lies with the leaders of both rich and poor countries. 

The theme of governance runs right through our work at all levels, from local communities to international institutions.   Some examples of ActionAid’s work in this area include:

At the international level:
Our ‘international financial institutions’ (IFI) team includes members from Africa, Asia, North & South America and Europe.  Members in different countries use ActionAid’s international perspective and research to influence the policy and practice of institutions like the World Bank & IMF within their country.  When important lobbying opportunities arise – such as the Annual Meetings of the World Bank & IMF – the team comes together to push for change.  At the Annual Meetings in 2006, the team focused upon high profile protests, demanding a voice for poor countries at the IMF.

At the national level:
In both developing and developed countries, ActionAid undertakes a wide range of work designed to hold those in power accountable for their impact upon poor people.  In the UK, this meant a successful campaign to get the government to agree to meet the international commitment to spend 0.7% of income on international aid.  In Kenya, ActionAid’s support of the Women’s Agenda Network has played a vital role in providing a voice for Kenyan women in national politics.  

At the local level:
In Brazil, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, the Gambia, and Cambodia, ActionAid provides training on monitoring and tracking budgets.  This helps local people to hold a range of organisations accountable – which have a direct impact on their lives -  from schools, to health authorities, to national governments.

photo : ©Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum/ActionAid