Dr. Md. Shairul Mashreque :
Governance of course with the addition of prefix ‘good’ is sinequanon for efficient development management. Development intervention through public policy is now a favorite of intellectual discussion as it very much concerns about institutional governance with the participation of the stakeholders to fulfill its desired objectives. Beneficiaries of public policy look to governing institutions both public and private for better service for ameliorating their socio-economic conditions
In the process of governance the government has to interact with civil societies and NGOs. In fact NGOs have long been handling their projects flowing from policy direction by structured flexibility approach. Self-assessment mechanism, regular monitoring and intermittent change of techniques., if situation demands. This is really efficient and apt managent of implementation. They are found working in an enabling working environment that they themselves created with participatory component, decentralization and motivation. In health sector, for illustration, there has emerged some positive changes in health bevaviour. Based on the index of health development there has been astounding improvement in health awareness, especially awareness about STD/Hiv/AID, immunization, balanced diet and maternity services. We may have much to take lessons from NGO’s health management projects. This is of course result-oriented. The paramedics are well trained health workers doing their utmost to the satisfaction of the people. The resource persons at the apex of project management treat things well in a professional manner. Most experts opine that human development related policies concern mother and children development, their participation and their rights. Obviously we have a cluster of good laws and programmes in connection with human rights and development. Notwithstanding legislative measures and programmatic intervention the most vulnerable groups like women and children continue to suffer manifold harassments and negligence..
Public policy is not self-executing without the elements of good governance. True government exists. But good governance is missing.
Governance has been defined by the World Bank as ‘the manner in which power is exercised in the management of country’s economic and social resources for development (World Bank1992:3). UNDP programme’s policy documents define governance as ‘the exercise of economic, political and administrative authority to manage a country’s affairs at all levels.
It comprises the mechanisms, processes and institutions, through which citizens and groups articulate their interests, exercises their legal rights, meet their obligations and mediate the differences (UNDP1972:2-3). Based on this definitional premise governance may be defined as the manner in which beneficiaries of public policy obtain necessary service. The emphasis here is on broadening the scope of civil society, the presence of public discourse, which forges a symbiotic relationship between the authority and the public through share and care. It also means accountability and transparency somewhat reflecting the voice of mobilized groups and association. The formation of civil societies and citizen bodies are crucial here.
Governance becomes meaningful when it is oriented to the protection of HR. The end result of human development must be the realization of every citizen’s rights as enshrined in the universal declaration of human rights. Experts of course have conceptual understanding of HR standards. Nevertheless working knowledge about the application of such standards or principles is scanty. For right-base approach to be operationally meaningful it is necessary to devise a mechanism for reporting on in its implementation. Institutionalization of HR is post-war (second Great War) phenomenon.
There is no dyeing the fact that public policy becomes meaningless producing no desired results in favour of public as beneficiaries if the elements of governance, and good enough governance are awfully missing. We may have a cluster of well-conceived policy measures. Even then things remain unchanged, as there is lack of governance at the implementation stage. Of course good governance and even good enough governance warrant smart policy intervention for development in a desired manner.
(Dr. Md. Shairul Mashreque, Professor, Department Public Administration, Chittagong University)
