Jamaica has been a cornerstone of Caribbean democracies since gaining independence in 1962. Civic and political leaders have expressed increasing concern, however, about declining engagement in political life and the impact on the country’s progress and ensuring elected officials are responsive to citizens.

Last week, from 18 to 21 June, more than 2,000 civil society activists, journalists, government officials and private sector actors convened at the International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) in Vilnius, Lithuania, to discuss lessons learned and good practices for the fight against corruption. 

For the last several months, Burkina Faso has been dealing with the suspension of political party activities, as well as other forms of political censorship. Public trust in government institutions has fallen considerably, with citizens citing a lack of transparency and accountability from government leaders and a disconnect between political decision-makers and the needs and priorities of citizens. In addition, the introduction of new laws used to target and silence activists and political enemies has had a chilling effect on free speech and public protest against the regime.

One of the key ways that legislatures promote democratic governance and accountability for their constituents is by participating in the yearly process of scrutinizing and authorizing the executive’s budget proposal for government spending. As the national institution most closely linked to the population’s demands, legislatures have a special responsibility to engage with the budget process to ensure that it is transparent and reflects citizen priorities.