Open Government Partnership

Democracy is rooted in open government -- government that is transparent, accountable and responsive to the voices of its citizens. That is the United States and Brazil announced the Open Government Partnership, a new international initiative aimed at securing concrete commitments from governments, in partnership with civil society, to promote transparency, increase civic participation, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to make government more open, effective, and accountable.

Around the world, trust in government is declining. At the same time, the Internet and social media have lowered barriers to participation in democratic processes. We've seen that with the role of social media in recent elections here in the United States and in so many other countries around the world. Technology is transforming the ways people access information and relate to their governments and to each other. Access to accurate information empowers citizens in making decisions about how they are governed. As an international community, we cannot afford to be complacent. We must find new and innovative ways to operate government more effectively, and in a manner which involves the citizens. The Open Government Partnership (OGP) works towards this goal.

Why? Because open and responsive governments are more effective, efficient, and innovative. From improving service delivery to reducing corruption, open government efforts are helping build more democratic and prosperous societies that enable citizens to have a more direct say in the decisions that affect their daily lives.