In simple terms governance means: the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented). Governance can be used in several contexts such as corporate governance, international governance, national governance and local governance.
Government is one of the actors in governance. Other actors involved in governance vary depending on the level of government that is under discussion. In rural areas, for example, other actors may include influential land lords, associations of peasant farmers, cooperatives, NGOs, research institutes, religious leaders, finance institutions political parties, the military etc.
Good governance has 8 major characteristics. It is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law. It assures that corruption is minimized, the views of minorities are taken into account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making. It is also responsive to the present and future needs of society.
AMRIC Research believes that good governance is essential for the wellbeing of the people and to reduce exploitation of poor and marginalized by rich and influential. AMRIC Research through in-depth analysis, researches and participatory training methods and tools plays its role to make state institutions to improve the governance by complying with all the eight mentioned characteristics of good governance. It offers voters education and mobilization programs, Trainings of Trainers for strengthening democratic parties, sessions for two way cooperative link between constituents and the elected representatives, performance monitoring methods for the elected representatives and identification of loop holes in functions of different administrative authorities and major issues of the constituents to be resolved by their representatives.