Experience in several Latin American countries show that citizen participation in governance is a key element for social and economic development. Yet government officials and political leaders rarely have the opportunity to get together to discuss instruments used by civil society to influence policy-making and hold national and local governments accountable.

The goal of this workshop is to share practical experiences on the use and implementation of various instruments for citizen participation by civil society practitioners, government officials, and political leaders to improve governance in five Latin American countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Honduras, and Mexico. We will also be joined by a representative from OECD who will share the findings of a recent multi-year study on "Engaging Citizens in Policy-making: Information, Consultation and Public Participation."

Among others, the following mechanisms are being used to promote citizen engagement in policy issues: participatory workshops, citizen information and complaints offices, public fora, public hearings, town hall meetings, neighborhood committees, task forces, advisory boards and commissions. These, along with technology-based tools (internet surveys, e-mail feedback, website information and discussion boards or listservs), citizen oversight committees (veedurías ciudadanas), and integrity pacts (pactos de integridad) are increasing citizens' efforts to hold government accountable and to influence the development process.