A/HRC/31/28 and realizing the right to development. Delegates recognized that good practices at national, regional and international levels should be consolidated. Ensuring a human rights-based approach to good governance constituted a global challenge. One delegation referred to the aid delivery system, which was often mired by conditionality and thus considered unhelpful by the countries concerned. Certain delegations presented domestic efforts to promote good governance and increase citizen participation in public administration, including through their national human rights institutions (NHRIs) and ombudspersons, national legislation, national action plans and electronic governance initiatives. Participation in international efforts, including through the United Nations as well as the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, was also outlined. Additionally, delegates emphasized the importance of ensuring good governance within the work of international organizations. One speaker highlighted the need for States to mobilize sufficient resources to realize children’s rights, through measures like taxation, and to prioritize children’s best interests in all decision-making. 24. Delegates reiterated that a human rights-based approach was essential to the provision of public services. Ineffective governance was described as lying at the heart of development challenges, leading to waste, corruption, decline in business confidence, discrimination and failure to deliver basic services required for the enjoyment of human rights. Questions were raised regarding the role of the public service in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the manner in which the post-2015 development agenda could foster the consistent use of a human rights-based approach for the delivery of public services. C. Responses from panellists 25. Mr. Pastwa spoke regarding the realization of good governance in public administration and emphasized the need to adapt the measures to be taken to the goals to be achieved. A pragmatic approach to realizing good governance required an appropriate legal framework and budget, together with sufficient leadership from those involved in implementation. It was important to set good examples and identify and exchange good practices. Regarding the public service’s role in delivering the Sustainable Development Goals of the post-2015 agenda, he held that public service could open itself up to external stakeholders and invite them to participate widely in governance and policymaking, also bearing in mind the volume of issues raised in Goal 16. They could also strengthen partnerships in this process. States should ensure access to justice by making available the necessary budgetary, organizational and technical means. Training for members of the public service was needed, while citizens should be educated on how to exercise their rights. It was stressed that enhancing transparency and access to information was an invaluable investment and required an adequate budget. The use of digital means was recommended to significantly reduce costs in this regard. Practical examples of how corruption harmed individuals and society should be provided. It was also important to provide training to members of the public service on how to break the vicious cycle of corruption and avoid a corrupt organizational culture. 26. Mr. Mumuni addressed the question of how to prevent corruption and the diversion of public funds by high-ranking officials. Grand corruption showed the need to establish an international anti-corruption court to handle corruption cases that domestic courts were reluctant or unable to take up. Such a court would serve as a deterrent to those wishing to use public office for personal enrichment. He shared his views about how to make the public administration more responsive to citizens’ general interests. It was acknowledged that, in certain contexts, corruption was the main reason why people did not benefit from public service and a strict and even-handed enforcement of the rules applicable to civil servants was needed in cases of violations. Contrary to the suggestion that lack of political 7

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