Accountability is one of the prerequisites of democratic or good governance. It entails

holding elected or appointed officials, charged with a public mandate, responsible and

answerable for their actions, activities and decisions. It is the role of civil society to

hold those in public office accountable. Liability is a specific form of accountability,

which is based on more formalized expectations, developed through rules, contracts,

legislation and similar relationships based on legalistic standing.

Immune defence that develops following exposure to a pathogen (e.g. bacterium or
virus) or vaccine. It involves the production of specific defensive blood cells
(lymphocytes) and proteins (antibodies), and provides lasting immunity based on the
experience or ‘memory’ of previous exposure.