Having an Open Governance Encourages Community Involvement!
Ironically, while our Chuukese culture espouses fairness, openness, and hospitality, our government suffers from a lack of accountability and transparency. People have very little knowledge or involvement in the day-to-day operations and policy-making decisions in the government. Because no one is demanding a transparent governance, the political leaders continue to make funding decisions that are not for the greater good of the community. Reform is needed to force all elected government leaders from the outer islands to have an open and transparent governance system. Efforts must be made to encourage a cultural shift in how people view the government leadership; citizens must be educated to question their elected officials and demand accountability. In this 21st century, it is inexcusable for the government not to have a website that communicates its services, discloses financial statements, reports news, and enables citizens to question the government actions, and challenge all political candidates to publish their platforms on a website for public scrutiny, engage members in discussions, and solicit constructive feedback from citizens and global allies.
Action Strategies:
- Establish a website for the Northwest region to publish all financial accounting, news reports on the latest programs and events in the outer islands.
- Publish a monthly financial report on thee website to be publically scrutinized and challenged.
- Establish a weekly radio news report on V6AK addressing the latest acquisitions, programs, funding, events from the Office of the Congress.
- Establish a regularly scheduled Open Hall meeting with the outer island communities on Weno, in the outer islands, and online forums with those living overseas.
- Adhere strictly to all financial accounting practices and requirements as imposed by the laws of the FSM.
