Asia-Pacific Regional Centre

Decentralization and Local Governance in Asia and the Pacific

Representation in Decentralized Governance

Local representative institutions constitute for many citizens one of the most important avenues for participation in governance and for influencing decision-making of direct relevance to their livelihoods. Representation through participation and the different forms it can take therefore have a direct bearing on the MDGs and their attainment. In this context, the systems for representation at local level are of great importance in the overall governance agenda through their influence on the nature of representation and accountability and impact upon wider public outcomes. 

Regional Research Initiative

UNDP Asia-Pacific Regional Centre has taken an important step in analyzing these trends through regional initiative Local Democracy in Asia: Representation in Decentralized Governance.

The first phase of the research explored the situation with respect to different forms of party political engagement in local elections as well as the outcomes that different electoral systems and affirmative actions can have in terms of improving participation and representation.

Local Democracy in Asia: Designing Inclusive and Accountable Local Democratic Institutions:

Building on the findings of this analysis, a second phase of the research is currently implemented in five countries in cooperation with international and national research partners. These include: Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK), India; Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Pakistan; CPRM Consultants Inc., Philippines; individual researchers in Iran and Timor-Leste; and the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS), Denmark.

The research seeks to document the ways in which representation can be made more accountable through electoral reforms and affirmative actions. Types of accountability mechanisms in place that work to secure better representation are also reviewed in the selected countries.

• A Practitioner's Guide (2008)
• Research Framework (2006)

Regional Expert Network

As part of the initiative a Regional Expert Network is established that engages key central and local government professionals, national research partners, UNDP practitioners and other interested stakeholders in discussions of the relevant issues, with a view to distilling and presenting new knowledge emanating from within and between countries in the region. The emerging analysis involving different country contexts seeks to contribute to policies that aim to develop more inclusive systems of representation.

• Regional Expert Network (2006)
• Synthesis of E-Discussions (2006-2007)

Resources

• Regional Retreat: 22-24 June 2005, Hua Hin, Thailand, Representation in Decentralized Governance and Local Service Delivery for MDGs
  • Full Report

• Presentation by the UNDP Regional Adviser at the Workshop in Uppsala, 3-4 April, 2006 Sweden, Equal Representation, A Challenge to Democracy and Democracy Promotion
• Human Development Viewpoint: Inclusive Local Governance, Representation and Affirmative Action
• Human Development Viewpoint: Presidentialism In Decentralized Governance:More Local Leadership But At What Cost?