Youth Manifesto 2012 190912

YouthManifesto2012Good GovernanceAuthor: Muhammad Hammad Malik (YP16-KPK03)The concept of "Governance" is an ancient one. The word "Governance"means the process of making decisions and the process by which decisionsare implemented. Since Governance is the process of making decisions andimplementation, it focuses on the formal and informal elements which areinvolved in decision making and implementing them.Government is one major element in governance. Other elements involved ingovernance vary a lot and depend upon the level of Government that is underdiscussion. In rural areas, they may include influential land lords,associations of farmers and corporations, NGOs, religious leaders, politicalparties and the Military. The situation in urban areas is much more complex.At national level, in addition to the above mentioned elements, media,international donors, lobbyists, multi-national corporations, etc. may play avital role in making decisions or influencing the process. All other elementsthan Government and Military are grouped as part of the "civil society." Insome countries in addition to the civil society, the process of decision makingis influenced by some organized crime syndicates also.According to the definition of United Nations, Good governance has 8 majorcharacteristics. It is Participatory, Consensus oriented, accountable,transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable, is inclusive andfollows the Rule of Law. It also assures to minimize corruption, to take intoaccount in views of minorities and that the voices of the most vulnerable insociety are heard in the process of making decisions. It is also responsive tothe present and future needs of society.Along with all major characteristics mentioned above there are also someother characteristics that cannot be ignored. These include:1. Equal participation2. Promotion of National cohesion3. National Integration4. Institution Supremacy5. Independent Judiciary6. Constitutional Supremacy7. Political Stability8. Free Media9. Equal Educational Opportunities10. Socio-economic Development11. Equal Distribution of Resources12. Welfare State with Provision of Social Securities13. Strong Write of the Government on All FrontsIn Pakistan the situation of Governance is not very good unlike developedcountries. The major factor that disturbs the implementation of goodGovernance in Pakistan is the institutional imbalance. along with it, poor38