Hollande calls for better transparency and increased citizen involvement in democracy summit

Record ID: 76148

  • Title: Hollande calls for better transparency and increased citizen involvement in democracy summit
  • Date: 7th December 2016
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (DECEMBER 7, 2016) (REUTERS FOR AGENCY POOL) AUDIENCE LISTENING
  • Embargoed: 22nd December 2016 17:30
  • Keywords: Open Government Partnsership democracy Hollande Obama
  • Location: PARIS, FRANCE AND WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES
  • City: PARIS, FRANCE AND WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES
  • Country: France
  • Reuters ID: LVA0075BVYUYV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The 4th Open Government Government Partnership Global Summit opened in Paris on Wednesday (December 7), with French President Francois Hollande calling for more government transparency and increased citizen involvement.
    Hollande said democracy was a common good, yet precious and fragile.
    "There are signs which we have considered to be warning signs for a long time, for example the voter turnout at elections or a lack of interest in the younger populations and we've seen an increase in populist movements. There's a feeling that democracy may not be the most effective system there could be for preparing the future," he told participants from some 70 countries.
    Hollande called for more transparency by governments, a will to fight corruption and increased citizen participation.
    "We're not going to defend democracy from attack by barricading ourselves behind our institutions, it's the opposite. We have to open up democracy, we have to be transparent, we have to show that we are open to all initiatives, we have to show that our civil services, our governments, do not fear citizens and that citizens can hope to have great things from governments. What we have to do, is to have citizens believe in democracy and democracy has to give way to citizens," Hollande said.
    In a recorded video message, U.S. President Barack Obama echoed Hollande's remarks.
    "Because as I prepare to leave this office I am more convinced than ever that the most important title isn't president or prime minister, it's citizen. And in the coming years I intend to join you, on the frontlines as we work together as citizens to build societies that are more just, more equal and more accountable," Obama said in the video.
    The Open Government Partnership involves 3,000 representatives from 70 countries including heads of state and governments, ministers, public servants, parliament members, local authorities, civil society representatives, start-ups and digital innovators, researchers and journalists.
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