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Answer» There is no democracy without the engagement of citizens. Engagement is thus both a right and a responsibility of citizens in establishing, DEVELOPING and sustaining democracy.
Citizen engagement is not an abstraction; it takes tangible forms and serves particular purposes to improve people's’ lives. Citizen engagement pursues economic, social, cultural and political DEVELOPMENT, including the provision of OPPORTUNITY, resources, services, and security. As NDI’s Chairman Madeleine Albright often says: “Democracy must DELIVER.”
For democracy to deliver, citizens must become informed about issues that can improve their lives. They must be free to join together to express their views and preferences and work to see that government RESPONDS to citizen views, thus holding those in government accountable. To be informed, citizens need accurate and timely information, particularly government-held information
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