Workshop on the Result of the 2nd Round of Service User Feedback Survey

June 30, 2021

Photo by: UNDP Lao PDR

Vientiane, 30 June 2021 – With 2021 bringing in the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP), the Government has committed to improve public administration with a particular focus on strengthening public service through ambitious targets in the new NESDP. The workshop held on the 30 of June aimed to provide an opportunity to share the results of the Public Service Survey (SUFS) among the four target districts, Samphan district, of Phongsaly Province, La district, of Oudomxay Province, Samouy district, of Salavane Province and Dajeung district, of Sekong Province. Moreover, it provided a platform for members of the People's Provincial Assemblies (PPA) to share their experiences in applying the results of these public surveys to meet the demands of members in their constituencies.

As chair, Mr. Nisith Keopanya, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Home Affairs remarked, “The SUFS will be a mechanism by which people can participate in expressing their views on public administration and development in their districts. It is a strong will of the party and the government, which is the state of the people for the people and the interests of the people. It also reflects as one of the indicators of Lao PDR in implementing the SDGs, especially the 16th Goal- to promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies”.

Representing the key development partners under the Governance for Inclusive Development Programme, or GIDP, was Ms. Aurélie Righetti, Head of Governance and Citizen Participation, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC, Mr. Seán O’Connell, Head of Governance Unit, UNDP and Mr. Thilaphong Oudomsine, Programme Specialist, UNCDF. Development partners and local authorities participated in the workshop online given the current COVID-19 restrictions.

Ms. Righetti expressed that the “SUFS was introduced more recently as a multipurpose tool. On the one hand, SUFS aims at promoting and facilitating interactions between service users (citizens) and service providers, especially at local level. The feedback provides valuable information to the GoL to improve the delivery of services so that these respond to the needs and demands of all citizens, including vulnerable groups and people living in remote areas.”

Crucial to the role of PPA Members is collecting the experiences and feedback of citizens on their engagement with local government. The PPA members in the four districts were actively involved in the implementation of the SUFS 2 and have shown their interest to use the SUFS results to monitor the  service delivery at the district level.

Mr. O’Connell said, “PPA Members must use this information directly from communities to highlight areas for improvement by provincial governments, so that Lao PDR can quickly adapt policies and practice, to reach its ambitious development targets in the years ahead.”

The draft results of the survey, collecting feedback on citizen’s experiences on using public services, were shared with PPA Members from across Lao PDR so that they could in turn use this information to advance their oversight mandate in monitoring public service delivery at the Provincial Level. SDC further encouraged the continuation of SUFS practice on a broader scale and ensures the integration of citizens' feedback into local planning and administration of public services. Furthermore, to strengthen accountability mechanisms and facilitate PPA's oversight work- to ensure each Provincial Government delivers on the national development agenda, including the 9th NSEDP and the SDGs.

For Lao version: ສຳລັບບົດຂ່າວພາສາລາວ

To download the Service User Feedback Survey (SUFS)

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For more information, please contact: Ms. Aksonethip Somvorachit, UNDP Communications Analyst, 020 5502 1550, aksonethip.somvorachit@undp.org