Introduction to Social Accountability

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This three-module course will introduce participants to the concept of social accountability and its position within and importance to the broader good governance framework.

This introductory course is part of a larger flagship learning program on accountable governance being developed by the World Bank Institute and its partners in the developing world. The purpose of this larger program is to bridge the gap between the growing body of knowledge in the field of accountable governance and the current capacity of practitioners, civil society and governments to effectively apply the concept to policy and program design. As such, the learning program will synthesize, in one consolidated program, the general elements of social accountability, the required enabling environment, and current tools and methodologies. It will also focus on the practical application of the concept, providing users with the skills necessary to design effective, context-specific social accountability interventions at the local level. By the end of this first course participants should be able to:

• explain what is meant by the concept of social accountability;
• understand the place of social accountability within the broader good governance framework and its relationship with more traditional or “supply-side” accountability initiatives;
• appreciate the power of public opinion in strengthening social accountability, including the processes involved in transforming public opinion into action, and the role of effective communication strategies; and
• understand key social accountability tools.