NEPAD/HSGIC-03-2003/APRM/Guideline/OSCI 9 March 2003 1.10 The criteria are whether the government has taken the necessary steps to achieve the objective and attain the standards and the effects or results of these actions. Criteria have been articulated in terms of questions about these matters and can also be seen as issues to be addressed and reference points for targets to be established. Finally indicators are used as the means by which it is determined whether the criteria have been met. 1.11 This scheme of concepts that becomes increasingly specific as one moves from objectives to indicators thus provides a framework for the operationalisation of the assessments to be undertaken in the participating countries in the context of the APRM. The more specific the elements of the scheme become, the more important it becomes that the specifics of the country be taken into account in defining them. This document will thus only provide indicative criteria and some examples of indicators as the development of these components is a highly technical task and is best undertaken by those involved in the assessments at the country level in close consultation with the African Peer Review (APR) Secretariat technical staff. This scheme will allow a country’s efforts and performance to be assessed against clear standards that have been agreed to in the African and/or the international contexts. 1.12 In the following sections this scheme of concepts – objectives, standards, criteria and indicators - is applied in each of the four areas identified in the Declaration: a. Democracy and Political Governance b. Economic Governance and Management c. Corporate Governance d. Socio-economic Development. Page 4 of 31