Carmen Malena
Associate
Carmen Malena is a political/socio economist with special interest in the areas of citizen empowerment, social accountability, participatory governance, gender equity and community-driven development. She has 30+ years’ experience as a development practitioner, researcher, writer, trainer and facilitator in more than 30 countries across the global South.
Carmen has worked for numerous international civil society organisations (CSOs), including several years as Director of the global Participatory Governance programme of CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation. Her experience also includes senior assignments on behalf of the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the African Development Bank, the United Nations Development Programme, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), USAID, The Asia Foundation, the Aga Khan Foundation, the Transparency and Accountability Initiative and numerous governments.
Since 2013, Carmen has been an Associate of the Coady Institute, where she designs and facilitates educational programs in Participation, Accountability and Governance.
Carmen obtained her MPhil with Distinction from Institute for Development Studies at University of Sussex and holds an Advanced B.A with Double Honours from the University of Saskatchewan and l’Université Laval. Carmen is also a graduate (1988) of Coady International Institute. She is based in Quebec, Canada.
Selected Publications
Anciano, F. Landry, J., & Malena, C. (Forthcoming). “Power-Shifting Approaches towards Citizen-Led Accountability in East and South Africa,” in Re-Imagining Democracy: Innovations in Self-Governance. Hamilton: Participedia.
Landry, J., & Malena, C. (2024). Learning for participatory, accountable, and inclusive governance: Pedagogies, practices, and lessons from the field. Journal of Curriculum and Pedagogy, 1- 11.
Malena, C. (2023). Citizens at the Center: A Strategic Review of Good Practices and Lessons Learned for Renewal of World Bank Support for Citizen Engagement and Social Accountability. Washington: World Bank.
Malena, C. (2022). Social Accountability. International Encyclopedia of Civil Society. New York: Springer.
Malena, C. 2021. Civil Society and Good Governance. International Encyclopedia of Civil Society. New York: Springer.
Malena, C. 2015. Improving the Measurement of Civic Space. London: Transparency and Accountability Initiative.
Malena, C. 2014. Participatory Governance. Encyclopedia of Action. London: Sage.
Malena C. and Seira Tamang. 2011. The Political Economy of Social Accountability in Nepal. Kathmandu: World Bank Program for Accountability in Nepal (PRAN) .
Malena C. and Mary McNeil (eds.) 2010. Demanding Good Governance in Africa. Washington: World Bank.
Malena, C. (ed.) 2009. From Political Won’t to Political Will: Nurturing Support for Participatory Governance. Sterling: Kumarian Press.
Malena, C. and K. Chhim 2009. Linking Citizens and the State: An Assessment of Civil Society Contributions to Good Governance in Cambodia. Phnom Penh: World Bank.
Malena, C. with R. Forster and J. Singh. 2004. Social Accountability: An Introduction to the Concept and Emerging Practice. Social Development Papers No. 76. Washington: World Bank.