About the Author: Maria Otero serves as Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights. On behalf of the United States, she is the founding co-chair of the Open Government Partnership.

Good governance means more than regular elections. It also means active citizens; a free press; an independent judiciary and legislature; and transparent and responsive institutions that are accountable to all citizens and protect their rights equally and fairly. The Open Government Partnership (OGP) hews closely to these principles. It is, at its core, about the relationship between a government and its citizens — a relationship that is defined by mutual responsibility and facilitated by dialogue.

Undeniably, technology and access are changing the relationship between a government and its people. Communication networks are enabling citizens to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms, participate in the democratic process, and organize social movements that alter the… more »