Ensuring the Credibility and Ensuring the Credibility and Effectiveness of CSO through Effectiveness of CSO through

Self-regulationSelf-regulation

Eric NgangEric NgangAction Group on Governance and Environmental Management Action Group on Governance and Environmental Management

(AGGEM) Cameroon(AGGEM) Cameroon

What is and why a code of Ethics for What is and why a code of Ethics for CSOs?CSOs?

• It is a document that defines a set of norms, principles and values to standardise the conduct, action and behaviour.

• Many sectors (media, medical core etc) have Codes of Conducts and operational principles. Why not CSOs?

The Cameroon CSOs LandscapeThe Cameroon CSOs Landscape• Over 55,000 CSOs in Cameroon at frontline of

development process (EU/PASOC 2009).

• They have influenced in no small measure, local and national policy-formulation.

• Their watchdog status, CSOs have become key players in the democracy movement, demanding high standards of transparency and accountability from government.

DriversDrivers• Need to clear the house by defining

accepted and acceptable behaviour.

• Improve partnerships between public sector, other CSOs and the Private Sector including overseas development partners

• Increase concern about CSO transparency, legitimacy, accountability and general good management practices

• ‘NGI’ = Non Governmental Individuals• ‘PNGO’ = Pocket Non Governmental Organisation• ‘SCNGO’ = Suitcase Non Governmental Organisation• ‘GONOGO’ = Government Non Governmental Organisations

What CSOs aim to achieve with a What CSOs aim to achieve with a Code of Ethics?Code of Ethics?

• Improve their credibility and acceptability vis-à-vis the government, the population, financial and technical partners in and out of the country.

Target groups and beneficiariesTarget groups and beneficiariesDirect Beneficiaries

Not-for-profit, non-self-serving, non-governmental, non-partisan and independent organizations or association that voluntarily adhere to the code.

Indirect beneficiaries Indirect beneficiaries

• Beneficiaries of the work of CSOs that voluntarily adhere to the code.

• Government that supports and regulates the work of these organizations

• Overseas development partners that provide them with various forms of assistance.

The processThe process

Shortlisted Core working team of 12 organisations

Lead: NWADO and Club Media OuestNOWECA, SIRDEP, RIDEV, FONDATION FIDEPE/OIASC, COMINSUD,, GEED Foundation, AJPCEDES, Light Africa. INADES Formation, NOWEFOR .

500 questionnaires administered in 10 500 questionnaires administered in 10 regions, collected and analysedregions, collected and analysed

Public presentation During a National civil society reflection followed by a press conference in 2009

Attended by;• 50 CSOs from across the national territory• Representatives from donor Community• Media • Beneficiaries

Content of the code of ethics Content of the code of ethics elaborated in French and Englishelaborated in French and English

-Definition• -Scope• -Principles and Aspiration• -Good Governance• -Organizational integrity and independence• -Management and Human Resources • Financial Management and accountability• -Communication and networking• - Conflict of Interest • -Enforcement of the Code• -Revision of the Code

ChallengesChallenges• Civil society in Cameroon is very diverse and it

is difficult to achieve sector wide and country wide support from potential stakeholders.

• Some CSOs simply view the code as another layer of regulation and fear sanctions and so resist adherence.

• NWADO also find it difficult to acquire adequate financial resources to disseminate and implement the code at all levels in Cameroon (i.e. both local and national NGOs).

Way Forward/ Today's TaskWay Forward/ Today's Task

• -Reflection on setting up an Ethics Committee and how it will function

• -Procedures for accreditation and a format for demand for accreditation

• -Formulate procedures for complains and redress at the Ethic Committee.

• - Reflection has to be done on revision of the Code, indicators and challenges.

• -Widely disseminate the Code

Thank YouMerci