The launching workshop of ODC’s social accountability profile page

On November 11, ODC shared its new Social Accountability profile page with a public launch. The page was brainstormed by the ODC team as an improvement in the presentation and organization of ODC data, and designed to share information on Social Accountability and public service delivery for the Innovations for Social Accountability in Cambodia (ISAC) project.

The main purpose of the workshop is to launch ODC’s new profile page on Social Accountability, which provides information on four crucial topics, namely sub-national budgets, civil status, primary education, and health centers. The launching workshop of ODC’s Social Accountability Profile Page has four main objectives are to 1) present the data, information, and features of the new profile page on Social Accountability 2) raise awareness about the current information landscape on public budgets and public service delivery, and identify timing limitations and priorities 3) generate debates, share best practices and promote information sharing among workshop participants and 4) encourage further collaborations between relevant stakeholders – including the Government, CSOs, and journalists – to improve social accountability in Cambodia.

Mr. Thy Try is answering questions from participants.

To raise awareness of the availability of the Social Accountability page and the information it shares, the launch took place as a hybrid public/virtual event, held at the Himawari hotel, with online participation from the general public, staff from ISAC partners, and implementing partners, representatives of stakeholders, and community accountability facilitators (CAFs).

Participants attend the event via Zoom video conferencing.

The workshop was welcomed by ODC’s Director Mr. Thy Try and Mr. Bishnu Sapkota, Chief of Party, Innovations for ISAC project. Mr. Try reviewed ODC’s work to develop the Social Accountability Page – first via the Co-Development Workshop (May 2020) and followed by additional work with ODC’s developer team and an external consultant. He noted that a key part of ODC’s work would be sharing budget information and public service delivery information, as a part of the larger information landscape.

Mr. Thy Try is giving welcome remarks.

Mr. Sapkota spoke on the value of the Social Accountability page as a part of the ISAC project, to promote a more informed public and strengthen informational outreach.

Mr. Bishnu Sapkota is giving welcome remarks.

The participants were joined by Democracy and Governance Officer Mr. Lee Forsythe, of USAID in Cambodia. He shared context on the ISAC project overall and ambitions for its impact, as embodied as a part of this outreach effort.

Mr. Lee Forsythe is giving opening remarks.

Following these introductions to the work surrounding the development of the page and its role in the ISAC project, ODC’s Social Development Editor, Mr. Ban Chanphalla presented the capabilities and functions of the Social Accountability page, profiling its four main areas of infographics, articles, data tables, and maps, as well as clarifying its varied functions and ease of use.

Mr. Ban Chanphalla is presenting the capabilities and functions of the Social Accountability page.

The workshop then turned to audience questions, largely from online participants in the Workshop’s dedicated Zoom chat. Mr. Ban Chanphalla and other ODC staff clarified the use of the page as well as its overall thematic scope and long-term goals. We received many questions and comments from the participants.

To wrap up the workshop, ODC’s Programs and Partnership Manager, Ms. Ourn Vimoil recapped events and noted that ODC would seek further collaboration with relevant stakeholders moving forward, as it continued to strengthen and develop the page.