The information sharing platform came into session yesterday, 11 March, when fifteen UN system participants presented their work in C4D, a practice that is largely driven by civil society but of growing importance and relevance within the UN.

Mr Peter Stephens, World Bank Director of Operational Communication, welcomed the participants and characterized the advances of communication over the past three decades as being ‘reactive, proactive, and interactive'. He recognized the need to raise the C4D profile, a view that was echoed by Ms Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, UNDP Director of Democratic Governance. She emphasized that C4D is essential for effective participation and democratic governance.

UNESCO Senior Liaison Officer, Ms Suzanne Bilello, spoke on behalf of UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information stressing that citizens must be free to ‘seek, receive and impart information and ideas' thus exercising their rights to information and expression. ‘Voice as an enabler of development, depends on a wider societal framework beyond the community and grassroots level', she said.

The participants focused on defining challenges related to two key issues: monitoring and evaluation, and institutionalization of C4D within the UN system. Much of the discussion continues as participants start articulating their recommendations for decisions that will be carried out during the course of the Round Table's biennial cycle.

Jointly organized by the World Bank and UNDP, the three-day meeting is attended by 50 participants. The last day of the meeting is open only to UN C4D Focal Points.