The First Global Assembly for Budget Transparency, Accountability and Participation brings together for the first time a wide range of groups working on public finance and budget accountability issues to discuss how they might work together at the international level. To date, the vast majority of budget work has been at country level. The Assembly is an attempt by a broad range of activists and organizations to complement this country work with collaborative international level advocacy.

Why Is The Time Now?

While much has improved from the time when governments justified unrestricted budget secrecy, much more can and must be achieved. Progress has been unequal among countries, and among levels of government within countries. Progress has also not been sustained—often, the achievements of today come undone tomorrow.  And progress has been uneven: it has been easier to gain access to budget information than to advance mechanisms for participation and accountability. Budget processes in most countries still remain closed to civil society.

We know that it is transparent and inclusive budgets that are essential for service delivery, poverty alleviation, the realization of human rights, social justice, and environmental sustainability. Diverse governments and international agencies currently recognize what we have known and pushed onto the agenda for years—namely, that good governance requires open budgets. We are entitled to know and influence what governments are doing on our behalf, in our name, and with our money.

We have the energy to push farther but the agenda needs to be driven by civil society and citizens. The time is now for dramatically advancing budget transparency, engagement and accountability. We can play a decisive role in achieving this, by coalescing around a common front, claiming the space we have had for years in our countries now at the international level, and pushing for the adoption of norms and standards on budget transparency and participation.

The time for a Global Movement for Budget Transparency, Participation and Accountability has come…one in which the connectivity and collective action of civil society and citizens is broader, deeper, more vibrant and effective. This opportunity has emerged due to our struggles, our convictions, and our individual efforts to hold our governments to account. It is ours to seize.