Communication of EITI: Creative Opportunities for Problem Solving Strategies

Bérangère Maïa N. Parizeau, MAAPPS // March 23, 2015

“Talking Matters! A guide for communicating the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative” published in April 2013, is a key EITI document regarding the process of communicating information about EITI strategically. The document explains in detail the importance of targeting the audience properly, as well as understanding the habits and circumstances of the population you are wanting to communicate EITI information too. There may be a clear distinction between the ways in which to communicate with a nomadic, rural or an urban population for example. What is the target population’s age group: youngsters, teenagers, or older folks. To design an effective communication strategy, it is necessary to understand the population’s accessibility to various technologies. For example, what is the percentage of the population which has access to a cell phone, radio, TV and internet access. What is the population’s literacy rate? Research into the habits of a population can be a useful way to find out where to focus limited resources.

“In order to establish the right communications mix, the Nigerian EITI conducted research to find out how Nigerians access information. They found that across Africa, urban residents are four times more likely than rural residents to read a daily newspaper. They also observed that about 44% of Nigerians listen to the radio on a daily basis. Using this information, the NEITI was able to strategically build a communications mix, which would utilize the information channels preferred by the target audiences in Nigeria (pp.35).”

Talking Matters! presents in great details the steps by which the process of communicating information about EITI can be done intelligently and effectively. It offers wonderful tools for those interested in communicating information about EITI with defined goals. I found particularly interesting the suggestion that “questions” on issues regarding extractive industries, as opposed to stating facts, when they are used in the EITI communication process, can facilitate or provoke public reflection and empowerment. The EITI information and communication process therefore becomes actively participatory, a dynamic platform for the development of the population’s understanding of their legal rights, and I will add environmental rights. Another interesting aspects of this document is the diversity of methods proposed. “Activities such as radio campaigns, local presentations, and the distribution of pamphlets and newsletters help promote awareness and understanding (pp.2).” The article offers useful insights into the importance of intentionality in the choice of medium to effectively communicate information about extractive industries. The quality of the message must be carefully adapted to the circumstances of the population targeted in order to have a positive, valuable, and lasting impact. It is a sophisticated process to design an effective strategy that has the ability to provoke a successful social impact.

“This is why a good and effective communications strategy needs to include the two main tracks of communication outlined above: one-way outreach to the citizens through sharing and dissemination of knowledge materials (i.e. printed, audiovisual, new media materials and road shows), as well as two-way communication with key stakeholders and opinion leaders, including civil society capacity building, strategic use of community radio, youth engagement, social media and educational campaigns including those using puppetry and theatre, engaging the audience and listeners in issues related to the extractive industries and its revenues. Chapter 4 provides further details of the materials, tools and channels that can be used in this respect (pp.15).”

GOING BEYOND SUB-NATIONAL REPORTING

Mario Ramirez, MASc Mining Engineering // March 21, 2015

Today, I came across some interesting information that answered some of the questions and concerns I had from the beginning of this project.  I was, somehow, skeptical about EITI sub-national reporting, and wondered if these reports could really be of any use to communities where extracting projects are in operations. However, it was after reading the report“Implementing EITI at the Subnational Level[1]”, sponsored by the World Bank, and conducted by Mr. Javier Aguilar, that I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The report is broken down in three main topics; being the first one, “the understanding of Subnational governments”, then it goes into “emerging experiences from EITI implementation countries”, which is my favorite, and ends with “the subnational dimension of EITI: an operational framework”.  The report uses the example of 6 countries which have implemented subnational reporting, and presents the case study of each country, describing each one’s distinctiveness but at the same time comparing its similarities.

In a note sent by the World Bank to the EITI in 2012[2], the World Bank mentions how sub-national EITI reconciliation can be identified from existing reporting practices, this note contains information extracted from the previous 2011 report presented by Aguilar:

Four different forms of possible sub-national EITI reconciliation can be identified from existing reporting practices:

1. The reconciliation process focused on direct EI revenues collected by the sub-national governments and compared them to companies’ payments (revenue collection, i.e. Mongolia).

2. The effort focused on revenue transfers from the central to the sub-national governments and compared them to the sub-national governments’ receipts (revenue distribution cash flow, i.e. Peru).

3. The process focused on revenue transfers from the central to the sub-national governments and compared them to the rules that should be applied (revenue distribution process, i. e. Ghana).

4. In addition to these subnational EITI reconciliation processes, some governments have decided to unilaterally disclose subnational governments’ expenditures. (Aguilar, 2011)

Out of the four, the last practice called my attention significantly. In the report, Aguilar gives the example of two countries that have not only implemented sub-national reporting but went beyond EITI call for it.  They have segregated subnational government accounts to separate the money coming from extractive industries, by so doing, they can have better control of the money and the expenditure of it.  This initiative allows subnational governments explain, how and where the money from extractive industries is invested. Let us read the abstract from the World Bank report:

3.4.4  Going Beyond Disclosure of Access to Revenues: Disclosing Expenditures Both Ghana and the Cajamarca region in Peru also decided to disclose expenditures of the respective subnational governments. In Ghana, two of the three regions had a separate budget account allowing for disclosure of expenditures of mineral royalty transfers. In the Cajamarca region, selected municipalities reported on their expenditures, and the disbursement rate of the revenues for projects was taken as measure for efficiency (Aguilar, 2011, p. 42)

These types of initiatives by Subnational Governments are the ones that make a difference.  At the end of the day, this information is what a common citizen values the most.  Long reports with many numbers and graphs are indeed important for those who understand them. However, for the majority of us, regular citizens. It is by tangible actions that TRUST can be regained and transparency can be measured.

References
Aguilar, J. (2011, October). World Bank. Retrieved from World Bank Website: http://www-wds.worldbank.org/ external/default/ WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2011/ 11/04/000386194_ 20111104022536/Rendered/PDF/ 653730NWP0P1250he0Subnational0 Level.pdf

Bank, W. (2012, April). Retrieved from EITI, Extractive Industries Transparency Iniciative: https://eiti.org/files/SWG/ World_Bank_SWG_Paper_Note_on_ EITI_reporting_by_subnational_ governments_April_2012.pdf

PROLIFERATING EDUCATION ABOUT EITI TO MONGOLIAN CITIZENS

Harry Li, MAAPPS // March 20, 2015

In my last blogpost, the group debated on what our next steps should be. A division pursuing publication and policy recommendations was consented upon. Half of the group, including myself, formed a policy-oriented group exploring the feasible recommendations to promote local engagement with EITI. The other half of the group focuses on drafting a document, incorporating the previous findings and recommendations from the policy group.

The policy group discussed on the best options in promoting proliferating education about EITI reporting at both the national and sub-national level.  After careful feasibility researches, we have narrowed down to seven possible places where EITI reporting can be educated to the public: banks, schools, libraries, healthcare facilities, gas stations, citizens’ hall and sum centers. We decided to focus more on the rural population rather than citizens in Ulaanbaatar because rural citizens are more affected regionally from the mining activities.

In terms of method, we have quite a few feasible ideas. We find the use of cartoon extremely effective. EITI Guatemala and EITI Peru have created a short cartoon series explaining the significance and role of EITI in their countries’ mining industries. We find that simple and easy to understand. Not all rural citizens have the time or interest to read a 10-page report with heavy data charts, thus a cartoon with/or a catchy slogan may be more effective in this case.

My research focus is on the Mongolian Citizens’ Hall. On December 2009, the President of Mongolia, Elbegdorj Tsakhia, formally opened the Citizens’ Hall. With the German embassy, TAF and OSI providing technical assistance, it is a public hearing forum is located in the capital and is designed to encourage civil participation in the planning and decision-making process. Although the citizens does not have law-making power here, but Citizens’ Hall seek, consider and incorporate reactions of citizens to already drafted legislations. The goal is to establish a tradition of citizen engagement in Mongolia, thus strengthening the governmental transparency and implementation of policy through consensus. Creating the Citizens’ Hall was part of a concerted effort on behalf of the governing party to ‘consolidate its young democracy’. The Citizens’ Hall uses all types of social media (website, Facebook, twitter) and broadcasts major debates.  Events are usually attended by parliament members, government officials and experts.  By January 2012, 15 out of 21 provinces, 5 out of 9 districts of the capital city established Citizens’ Hall.

Since more provinces promoting legislature engagement with Citizens’ Hall, perhaps, it is possible to put up posters of cartoons and infographics about EITI in these centers. Also, we should also make copies of our detailed report (written by the publication group) available in those centers.

Women and Mining in Mongolia

Debbie Prasad, MAAPPS // March 15, 2015

The Mongolian President recently took part in celebrating Women’s Day last week. The celebrations involved calling representatives of thousands of mothers and girls in Mongolia and honouring them with special badges. The President also spoke about the various problems that faced women in Mongolian society.

I have not been able to access what details were entailed in the speech, but I am hopeful that the lack of women’s representation in the extractive industry was seen as an issue that needed to be addressed.

For the past few weeks, I have been getting to learn a lot about Mongolian society including their shared identity of idolizing Ghenghis Khan, their predominantly meat and dairy heavy foods, and also their extremely high literacy rate. I have been doing a little digging of my own and wanted to see what women’s roles in society and mining were and I came across a World Bank report that stated that only 5-10 percent of the extractive industry sector were female, and that they were primarily in service support roles. The Mongolia 2008 labour regulations limited women’s participation in the extractive sector, which led to promoting women towards “easier” jobs. Which were not really to be found in mining.

Mining constitutes approximately 18% of Mongolia’s GDP, and just under 10% of the labour force is employed in the extractive industry, while 33% of the labour force are employed in agriculture and 55% are employed in the service industry. In addition to this, there is a projected labour shortage in the extractive industry, while there  is a mining boom.

Now, to put all this together, and get to my point! One purpose of having the EITI in Mongolia was to increase transparency. In order to do this, civil society needs to be given to tools to hold companies and the government accountable for their actions. One way in which society can be able to hold parties responsible is by being more involved and aware of the activities- and what better way to be aware of activities than by actually being employed in the industry? It seems that the numbers are not just a little low for everyone’s employment in the mining labour force, but this is even more so for women. One little way that transparency and interest in mining can further increase in Mongolia is by having more of their own citizens involved in the extractive labour force. I agree that so far, mining has been discriminating against women not just in Mongolia, but this happens all over the world, and so it is not my intention to single Mongolia out. But why not look for solutions that can benefit everyone?

In the case of Mongolia, one possible solution to the upcoming labour shortage can be to involve more women in the industry. The education and infrastructure is already present in Mongolia with respect to mining, all that needs to happen is to encourage and involve more of the women. Possibly, this involvement will help to increase awareness interest in mining in Mongolia, and as a result, lead to increased gender equality.

 

Sources:

“Mongolia: Raising Female Participation in the Large Scale Mining Sector” World Bank, 2013

“Government Authorities Praise the International Women’s Day” http://www.infomongolia.com/ct/ci/8991

“Best Honored Mothers Have Been Awarded” http://www.infomongolia.com/ct/ci/3473

 

COMPLIANCE, REFORM AND ENAGEMENT

Jocelyn Fraser, PhD student in Mining engineering // March 15, 2015

Research to assess the readiness of EITI countries to implement sub-national reporting has highlighted some interesting findings. The work has also raised some fundamental questions.
What does being compliant really mean?

EITI Chair Clare Short recently noted that compliance is neither a seal of approval nor an instant cure https://eiti.org/blog/eiti-not-seal-approval-sign-change. She acknowledges the apparent contradiction in countries of conflict and corruption being deemed “compliant” by the EITI, yet notes that membership in the EITI reflects a political and public commitment to reform. Reform may be easier to achieve in some countries that others and leads to a second question.

Is the legal framework in place to support reform?

Global Witness has noted that very few resource-rich countries have a strong legal framework to govern extractive sector, publish data and have some oversight on accountability. Without a strong governance framework, the risks of mismanagement increase when sub-national governments with limited staff, skills or experience receive large infusions of money. Especially if those revenue transfers occur sporadically. As the goal of sub-national reporting is to enhance transparency, the next question becomes . . .

Can the EITI be integrated into government systems to act as a platform for reform?

Philosophically, the EITI is presented as a platform for reform. Practically, it is a diagnostic tool. Easy for some members to use; more difficult for others. There is good reason to laud the progress EITI countries have made yet considerable effort is still required to achieve transparency in the extractive sector. As has been noted in previous blog posts, weak institutions are not well equipped to fight corruption and fraud.

The EITI may be able to do more to integrate into government systems to provide support for reform and address ineffective revenue management. Public debate about the reporting of extractive revenue should also lead to governance reform.

Can the complexity of resource revenue be explained clearly, concisely, and in a manner that will motivate ordinary citizens to take an interest?

The answer should be “yes”. However, in many EITI countries there is little evidence to date of effective communications – that is communication that enables lay people to become engaged with their country’s EITI effort. Existing websites and EITI country reports are dense, arcane documents potentially of some interest to experts but a challenge for many to decipher. Beyond the filing EITI country reports (many of which appear several years after the reporting period), information flow in the countries studied remains ad hoc, which undermines engagement. And without reporting on how extractive revenues are used at the local level there is little in the materials to address the average citizen’s principal interest: What is in it for me or my community?

How is money from extractive industries used?

The EITI has been clear that their mandate is not evaluating how resource revenue is used yet this remains an issue for member countries to address. In preparation for implementing sub-national reporting, in-country Multi Stakeholder Groups (MSG) could work with sub-national governments, civil society and citizen groups to establish criteria for balancing investment in short-term community needs with long-term economic development. The criteria might include engaging stakeholders to identify needs and maximize benefits from resource revenue at the local level; enabling small and medium enterprise; co-development of infrastructure required for both extractive industries and local communities; and investing to develop human capital. The later is a particularly relevant criteria in EITI member countries attempting to break the cycle of conflict and poverty, strengthen institutions, and support good governance.