Capacity Development for Good Governance in Developing Countries: Some Lessons from the Field

Abstract

Good governance is essential for sustaining economic transformation in developing countries. However, many developing countries currently lack the capacity, as opposed to the will, to both achieve and sustain a climate of good governance. This article addresses, from a practitioner's field perspective, the fundamental objectives, principles, and key areas that need to be addressed for developing capacity for good governance. These frameworks are now beginning to be recognized as both governments and donor institutions attempt to take advantage of the current demand and opportunities for addressing governance deficits. In pursuing capacity development for good governance, developing countries must ensure that such initiatives are comprehensively designed to be simultaneously related to change and transformation at the individual, institutional, and societal levels and be owned and controlled locally.

Keywords:

• capacity development
• good governance
• developing countries
• sustainable development

Notes

The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or any other organization to which he is affiliated.