ABSTRACT
One of the key propositions of Chapter 28 of the 1992 Rio Declaration is that the process of ‘good governance’ is a precondition for achieving sustainable development at the local level. The logic behind this proposition is twofold. First, it is based upon the belief that the changes required to achieve sustainable development are of such magnitude that they cannot be secured by governments acting alone. It will be necessary to mobilize the energies and initiative of citizens, interest organizations and stakeholders – ‘local communities’ – if changes in attitudes, values and behaviour are to be secured. Second, the governance process is regarded as a key mechanism to involve and incorporate citizens and local organizations into the decisionmaking process, thereby increasing political engagement and levels of acceptance of decisions and policies for sustainable development.
