Raising awareness among citizens about their socio-economic and political rights and entitlements and ensuring access ূo information related to national policies and public services are the two important elements of good governance and accountability. The SDGs have also stressed the need for raising awareness through education and training and disseminating relevant information among the citizens. Specifically, SDG target 12.8 mentions,
“By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.”
In addition, SDG target 16.10 emphasised the obligation of public institutions to ensure access to reliable information on the part of the citizens. It mentions,
“Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.”
The need for enhanced awareness building among the citizens as regards policies and implementation guidelines regarding public services emerged as important issues from both sub-national research undertaken as part of the programme and sub-national dialogues that were organised on service delivery effectiveness. In order to raise awareness, there was a general consensus among the dialogue discussants that free flow of information from service providers to service recipients through wideranging promotional activities is critically important.