Event

The Sustainable Economic Development Unit (SEDU) in the Department of Economics under the Demas-Rampersad Seminar Series hosts "Governance and Sustainable Development in the context of Trinidad and Tobago. Launch of the Open Budget Survey Results (2012/2013)" on March 7th 2013 from 1pm to 3pm in the Social Sciences Faculty Lounge.

The Open Budget Survey is the only independent and comparative measure of budget transparency and accountability in the world. The Survey assesses whether national governments publish basic budget reports as required by international good practices. It also assesses the extent of effective oversight provided by legislatures and audit institutions and opportunities for public engagement in budgeting. The Survey covers 100 countries containing almost 90 percent of the world's population. It is not an opinion poll but rather a factual representation of transparency and accountability in national budgets using a rigorous methodology implemented by independent budget experts. The Survey matters because budgets are any governments most important economic policy instrument to achieve development and meet the needs of people, especially poor people.

This event will feature:

1)    Contextualization of the importance of the Budget as a tool of “good” governance;

2)    Overview of the budget process in Trinidad and Tobago;

3)    Discussion on how much is known about the budget and the budget process in Trinidad and Tobago;

4)    Presentation of background information on the Open Budget Index, methodologies and messages;

5)    Presentation of Open Budget Index for Trinidad and Tobago and comparative results;

6)    Discussion of gaps highlighted by the Open Budget Index;

7)    Discussion of recommendations and proposals for improving the budget process.

8)    Discussion Next Steps forward.

Presenters include Dr. Marlene Attzs and Malini M. Maharaj from the SEDU.