How Can We Bridge the Gap Between Citizens and State? Findings from the Open Budget Survey 2017

Join with government officials, policymakers, civil society representatives, and others for a discussion on the latest findings from the Open Budget Survey 2017 on the state of government budget transparency and accountability in 115 countries around the world. Which countries have made progress and which have regressed? What drives improvements and regressions in budget transparency, participation, and accountability? What can reformers both in and outside government do to encourage and sustain more open and accountable budgets? In the current context of growing distrust in democratic institutions, shrinking civic space, and retreating democratic engagement, we will examine how improving countries’ public finance systems and practices can be an important step in bridging the gap between citizens and their governments.