60th Anniversary of the Military Coup in Brazil

                   Three weeks ago, precisely on 1st of April, the military coup that happened in Brazil in 1964 completed 60 year-old. So it is very important to remember mainly the dictatorship that followed the coup. Because after of the coup a new election was promised in the next year and this only would happen in 1989. There is no good dictator, if a dictator had great support from voters, he wouldn't fear elections. We all have to fight for more democracy always. This post is a summary of three articles. The first was published at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964_Brazilian_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat. The second was published at https://www.brasildefato.com.br/2024/04/05/60-years-since-the-coup-journalism-against-historical-erasure. The third was published at https://global.ilmanifesto.it/brazils-military-coup-was-60-years-ago-but-lula-is-moving-on/

                  The 1964 Brazilian Coup d'etat was the overthrow of president João Goulart by a military coup in April 1th, 1964, ending the Fourth Brazilian Republic (1946-1964) and initiating the Brazilian Military Dictatorship (1964-1985). The coup took the form of a military rebellion, the declaration of vacancy in the presidency by the National Congress on April 2nd, the formation of a military junta and exile of the president on April 4th. In his place, Ranieri Mazzilli, the president of the Chamber of Deputies, took over until the election by Congress of general Humberto Castelo Branco, one of the main leaders of the coup. Democratically elected vice president in 1960, Jango, as Goulart was known, assumed power after the resignation of president Jânio Quadros in 1961, and the Legality Campaign, which defeated an attempted military coup to prevent his inauguration. The next presidential election was scheduled for 1965. The strongest pre-candidates were Juscelino Kubitschek from MG and Carlos Lacerda from RJ. But this election didn't never happen.                                                                                                                                                                                                                             If there was no popular resistance against the authoritarian regime, there were no crimes during the dictatorship. This is the logic of erasure, which silenced the constant cries of struggle during 21 years of Brazil's dictatorship. The same government that promoted state terrorism worked systematically to erase their stories. "Invisibility is a historical mark of dominance," summed up José Genoíno, a former political prisoner. They had no documents, history books, opportunity to speak to radio, TV or newspaper. On the 60th anniversary of the coup, we all have to fight historical erasure and silencing, besides shedding light on the struggle for memory and justice. For part of the Public Prosecutor's Office, the policy of "deliberate pardon, secrets and obliteration of history is precisely what encourages the repetition of coup attempts. Professor Paulo Ribeiro da Cunha, who studied the amnesties in Brazil explains that officers who were amnestied for previous coup attempts were the ones who took power in 1964. According to him, historically, the Armed Forces have tended to pardon high-ranking military personnel involved in political movements. The same doesn't happen with lower rank personnel. In recent days, we've seen the struggle for memory, reparation and justice. We won't forget the legacy of the dictatorship when dealing with the present so that it doesn't happen again. Never again.                                                                                                            Even 60 years after the coup, the military is still arounsing fear in Brazil. The deposed president would later die in Argentina in 1976, officially of a heart attack. And 434 opponents of the coup regime were killed or disappeared together with him, according to the report on the crimes of the military, according to the report on the crimes of the military dictatorship presented by the National Truth Commission (CNV) in 2014. Even if that figure might seem modest compared to Argentina's 30,000 disappeared, the atrocities documented in the report are no less shocking. Lula's decision to cancel all official events commemorating the 60th anniversary of the coup has caused disappointment and dismay. In the midst of the investigations into the attempted coup of 2023, Lula had no desire to start a new clash with the military, and thought that the best course was to let everything pass in silence. However, his words certainly didn't satisfy the 150 organizations that make up the Coalização Brasil por Memória, Verdade, Justiça, Reparação (Brazil Coalition for Memory, Truth, Justice, Reparation). The same bewilderment was apparent in the words of Iara Xavier of Family Members of the Killed and Disappeared for political reasons, who called Lula's statement "very offensive". Lula also has not followed through on his promise to reconstitute the Special Commission for the killed and disappeared for political reasons, dissolved by Bolsonaro on the penultimate day of his term, despite the recommendation to do so that came from the Federal Public Ministry.

International Day of Conscience - 2024 - Part II

                  It was very good that the U.N. launched this day dedicated to remember to the world the importance to cultivate a good conscience. In 2016 I wrote about the danger of the subculture of the evil called gangsterism or banditism spreading to general public. So to fight this evil, besides fight for justice, we have to cultivate clearly what is right and what is wrong. Fighting for human rights, democracy, and quality education not only for mind but also to heart is important. This post is a summary of three articles. The first was published at       https://www.britannica.com/topic/conscience    The second was published https://www.usccb.org/prolife/understanding-conscience. The third was published at http://www.fowpal.org/peak-view/celebrating-un%E2%80%99s-declaration-april-5th-international-day-conscience-evening-love-peace-and

                            Conscience, is a personal sense of the moral content of one's own conduct, intentions, or character with regard to a feeling of obligation to do right or be good. Conscience is usually formed by acculturation and instruction, is thus generally understood to give intuitively authoritative judments regarding the moral quality of single actions. Historically, almost every culture has recognized the existence of such a faculty. Ancient Egyptians, for exmple, were urged not to trangress against the dictates of the heart, for one must stand in fear of departing from its guidance. Philosophers, social scientists, and psychologists have sought to understand conscience in both its individual and universal aspects. The view that holds conscience to be an inmate, intuitive faculty determining the perception of right or wrong is called intuitionism. The view that holds conscience to be a cumulative inference from past experience giving direction to future conduct is called empiricism. The behavioral scientist, on the other hand, may view conscience as a set of learned responses to particular social stimuli.                                                                                                                                                                  Sister Agnes Walsh, is remember for her heroism in France during World War II. In 1943, when France was occupied by German Nazis, the search for Jews began. In the face of grave peril, Sister Agnes convinced her superior to open their convent and offer refuge to a Jewish family. The sisters did the right, but very challenging thing, when many would have told them to take the easy way out. Most of us won't face the extreme circumstances these women faced, but we all have our own challenges. What do you do if your boss gives you a task you believe is wrong? How do you make ethical decisions? Conscience helps us recognize the truth about how we ought to live. Conscience is "a judgment of reason" by which we determine whether an action is right or wrong. Have you ever made a decision that turned out badly, but if you had more information beforehand, you'd have made a better decision? For example, think of learning a new language. We can only speak with the language we have, and if we have not received good education in vocabulary and grammar, we'll communicate poorly, and others will not understand us. If our conscience is not well-formed, we are not well-equipped to determine right from wrong. All of us have the personal responsibility to align our consciences with the truth so that, when we faced with the challenges of daily life, our conscience can help guide us well. We can grow deeper the continuing work of forming our conscience well. Although is not a complete list, these suggestions can help us as we seek to inform and strengthen our conscience.  1) Learn - without a foundational, practical formation, it is difficult for our consciences to guide us well in concrete situations. For example, learning about moral principles or researching about a challenging issue will help us grow in knowledge of the truth, this help us understand a little more how to live in a way that leads to our true conscience.  2) Reflect - we are formed by the stories we hear and tell. We may be uncertain how we ought to respond to various challenges we face, but there are many who have faced similar situations throughout the ages. Immersing ourselves in the stories of them can encourage us and help us develop habits of mind that allow us to grow. Stories help us hone our instincts.  3) Nurture friendship - friendships with people who are also trying to do good is a way that we can gain partners who can lighten the load. Conversation with other about how to respond to challenges in the life we possibly can face are vital.   A couple of challenges we may face in following our consciences are worth noting: 1) Indifference - When we are bombarded with news, images and stories, it's easy to become numb to other people and the world around us. Conscience requires us to be attentive. Having a well-formed conscience doesn't mean we have all the answers to the complex problems in the world, but it does mean that we are sensitive to the needs and struggles of other people.  2) Coercion - Increasingly, we are seeing that certain groups use their power to coerce people to violate their consciences. We can see how unjust these types of actions are. Our conscience should be our primary and only guide for action.                                                                                                                                                             On April 5th, the International Day of Conscience was launched at the U.N. in Viena. This achievement was made possible through the relentless efforts of numerous heroes of conscience. This day is meant to activate sincere hearts, inspire good deeds and extend collaboration to achieve peace and common prosperity. This represents that the idea of love, peace, and conscience are supported by the entire international community, and it is all nations' responsibility to implement these ideas. When we connect each person's conscience, we'll form a "protective net" for the earth and for ourselves. When every global citizen participates, this net will become even more tightly-knit and stronger.  Just like a sailor searches for a lighthouse, the compass of conscience embedded in each of us remind us to self-reflect and become aware of our conscience in our fast-paced lives. The compass lead us to overcome adversity, to return to our true selves, and to do the right things. When we have the right frame of reference, our path becomes clear.   The International Day of Conscience paves the way to world peace and love. As we go forward, we must continue motivating one another to multiply and expand the impact of kindness so that all world citizens will exercise their own influence and the culture of conscience will become rooted in each corner of the world.  We live for only few decades. We must make the most of our time and thoughtfully cultivates our hearts. Conscience guides our way to brightness and good opportunities and connections will be created.                                                                            

International Day of Conscience - 2024

                       Last Friday, precisely on 5th of April, the world celebrated the importance to live according to our conscience, this is, ethically, with empathy, peacefully, demanding respect for human rights, justice and freedom of speech and against any kind of violence, bullying, injustice, and tyranny. This post is a summary of three articles. The first was published at https://www.un.org/en/observances/conscience-day#:~:text=Promoting%20a%20Culture%20of%20Peace%20with%20Love%20and%20Conscience. The second was published at https://www.iofc.ch/day-of-conscience-2024. The third was published at    https://providencemag.com/2024/04/is-april-5-still-the-uns-international-day-of-conscience/

                         The preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) states that "disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of humankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people." Moreover, article 1 of the UDHR states that "all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood." The task of the U.N. to save future generations from the scourge of war requires transformation towards a culture of peace, which consists of values, attitudes and behaviours that reflect and inspire principles of freedom, justice and democracy, tolerance and solidarity, that reject violence and endeavour to prevent conflicts by tackling their root causes to solve problems through dialogue and negotiation and that guarantee the full exercise of all rights and the means to participate fully in the development process of their society. Conditions of the need for the creation of conditions of stability and well-being peaceful relations based on respect for human rights. The U.N. General Assembly declared 5th April the International Day of Conscience. The General Assembly invite all Member States to build the culture of peace with conscience, including with quality education and public awareness-raising activities. The task of constructing a culture of peace requires comprehensive educational, cultural, social and civic action, in which each person has something to learn and something to give and share. Peace is not only the absence of conflicts. It is a dynamic, participatory process linked to democracy, justice and development for all by which differences are respected and dialogue is encouraged.                                                                                                                                         History proves that leaders of conscience and love, such as Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela or Malala can shape a future of peace, solidarity and human rights. Love is not just a feeling, experienced individually. It is also a collective force for social justice, world peace and human evolution. According to the resolution adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in July, 2019, the International Day of Conscience is dedicated to the "promotion of a culture of peace with conscience and love". It calls us to rethink the way we can build a lasting peace based on conscience and love. As we witness the escalation of wars and settle into the normality of deadly conflicts between peoples, we want to remember that we are part of the indivisible community of the living. Non-killing societies and non-violent economies are possible, as demonstrated by the WHO's World Violence and Health report. It depends on us to make peace a reality. On 5 April, 2024, we'll be calling for a global shift of paradigm, and address our lack of awareness of our interactive and interconnected reality, as the present world crisis is a relationship crisis. There will be no positive way out, as long as the violence born from separateness prevails over mutual understanding living together. At this point in the long evolution of life on earth, if humanity wants to survive in dignity, the new cognitive step is to move from individualism and competition to altruism and solidarity.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    In 2019, the U.N. declared April 5, the International Day of Conscience to promote a culture of peace. This day is a solemn time to reflect on what can still be done to combat the forces of tyranny and oppression that still hold so many captives across the globe. April 5 is also a good time to ask if the U.N. still cares about its original mandate of promoting international peace and cooperation on humanitarian problems. Unfortunately, not all members of the U.N. believe in the sanctity of life and the value of freedom. The conscience of over 1 billion people are violated daily by communist regimes around the globe that are members of the U.N. Perhaps the worst example is North Korea, an open-air prison that enslaves and starves its citizens while continually threatening its neighbors with nuclear war. The surveillance state of China, enforces conformity with brutal consequences for those who dare claim allegiance to anything higher than the Communist Party. In Cuba, over 1,000 political prisoners are held captive simply for dreaming of a brighter future. In Venezuela, failed socialist policies have plunged the oil-rich country into poverty while the Maduro regime operates the largest torture center in the Western Hemisphere, "El Helicoide". It is easy to feel cynical when States carrying out mass crimes against human conscience are members of the organization promoting a day of conscience. It is also true that a simple day on the calendar seems to do little to raise awareness of the issues at hand. Nevertheless, it is our responsibility on this day to bear witness to the crimes against those still held captive and to take a stand against all forms of totalitarianism. April 5 provides an educational opportunity to point out the difference between injustice and freedom. 

International Day For the Right to the Truth Concerning Human Rights Violations and For the Dignity of the Victims - 2024

                                     Last Sunday, precisely on 24th March, the world celebrated the day to remember the victims of human rights violations and their fight for truth, justice and dignity. So, this post is a tribute to all victims that suffered injustice and died without have it, to all human rights defenders who help to bring justice and truth for anyone looking for them, and to all victims that are fighting now for truth, justice and dignity. We all should participate in this fight because as I said before, it is very important to fight against injustice. Without justice the violations can spread because the perpetrators feel they can do more and more and then we are all surviving in this nightmare called dystopia that would become a new system increasingly difficult to combat. Therefore, help fighting human rights violations and injustice, when many abuses have systematically been done for so long time, the justice is even more important.  Do not think you are unreachable. We all must hep the justice and record any violation of human rights happening now. The systematic violations, the impunity, the daily bullying in the mainstream media, the public threats online and offline exist to do the victims give up to fight for justice and reparations. Besides, the violations, the systematic abuses, the daily humiliation and the impunity can have a dehumanizing effect in the population, trying us accept what can not be accepted, do not let this happen to you, the solidarity and the emphaty are the essence of the human being.              This post is a summary of two articles.The first was published at https://www.msn.com/en-xl/africa/zimbabwe/a-statement-to-commemorate-international-day-for-the-right-to-truth/ar-BB1kus8q. The second was published at https://starrfm.com.gh/2024/03/did-you-know-march-24-is-the-international-day-for-the-right-to-truth/

                   This day serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of truth, justice, and accountability in healing the wounds of the past and building a better future for all. Human rights violations inflict immeasurable suffering on individuals and communities, leaving scars that persist for generations. The victims of these violations endure pain, loss, and a profound sense of injustice. Acknowledging their experiences and upholding their dignity is not only a moral imperative but also crucial for fostering reconciliation and preventing recurrence. The right to the truth is a fundamental pillar of trasitional justice. It encompasses the right of victims and their families to know the full and accurate account of the human rights violations committed against them. It involves uncovering the facts and understanding the context. The truth not only reveals the extent of the atrocities. It also exposes the systems, structures and individuals responsible for perpetrating these crimes. On this day, we pay tribute to the brave individuals and organisations that tirelessly pursue truth and justice. We honour the victims who have fought against all odds to have their stories heard and their rights vindicated. We recognise the essential role of human rights defenders, legal professionals, and civil society in advocating for the right to the truth and providing the necessary support to victims. As we commemorate this day we reaffirm our commitment to the pursuit of truth and justice and strive to ensure that the right to the truth becomes a reality for all victims. We urge the government to work together with all justice advocates to dismantle the walls of silence, indifference, and impunity that perpetuate human rights abuses. We also remember that the dignity of victims lies not only in their suffering but also in their resilience, courage, and unwavering demand for justice. We call upon the government, civil society, and individuals to actively support the right to the truth and to stand in solidarity with victims of human rights violations. Together, we can create a world where truth prevails, justice is served, and the dignity of every human being is respected. On this day, let us remember, let us act and ensure that the voice of the victims are heard, their rights are upheld, and their dignity restored.                                                                                                                                                       As declared by the United Nations (UN), March 24, is dedicated to the celebration of the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims; to promote the memory of victims of serious and systematic human rights violations, and emphasize the importance of the right to truth and justice. The day is also dedicated to pay tribute to those who have committed their lives to promoting and protecting human rights for all, as well as those who have lost their lives in these efforts. The date was chosen in remembrance of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador, who was assassinated on the same day in 1980. The right to the truth means having access to the complete and accurate facts about the events that occurred, including the specific circumstance and individuals involved. This includes understanding the context in which the violations occurred, as well as motives behind them. This day also serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about human rights and promote its significance.

Social Movements and the Internet

                    This post is a summary of the book with the title above published in 2017 at   https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/156395/1/883181339.pdf

                     For some years, the field of research on social movements has undergone fundamental changes. This is due above all to the internet and social media platforms that have become an integral part of the emergence, organization and mobilization of protest. This article examines the role which these new infrastructure play in the development and stabilization of political protest and social movements. For this, it pursues two main objectives: One, a more precise identification of the foundations of collective behavior and action, which show the internet to be not only an enabling but also a regulatory and action-structuring with a degree of intervention. Two, the analysis of the new and close interplay of social and technical conditions under which collective protest and social movements take shape in the digital age. Social movements has undergone changes as purely social phenomena to taking into consideration the new technological foundations of collective action. The argument, that in this day and age protest unfolds much more individualized and personalized than before and no longer requires conventional organizational structures. Instead, social media platforms, as organizing agents, are seen to take on the functions of coordinating and mobilizing protest. In that context, digital tech play a central role. There is a consensus that social media have indeed broadened the scope of action and influence of protest. This paper seeks to identify the role played by the internet in the development and stabilization of political protest and social movements. Social movements include the organized workers' movements that formed around distinct social milieus and that focused on economic conflicts. However, since 1970s, they also include new social movements that are structured like networks and that are oriented towards post-material values, such as the civil rights, anti-war, ecological or women's movements. The consolidation of this field of research, then, engendered a widely shared notion of what constitutes a social movement. According to that understanding, a social movement is essentially a collective protest against perceived political, economic or cultural grievances. Social movements confront and challenge the ruling authorities, either demanding that a transformation take place or seeking to prevent changes deemed unacceptable. Nonetheless, a social movement is not usually referred to as such until its collective activities have consolidated into processes of cross-situation stabilization. In that context, it should be noted that the increasing of movements is always accompanied by the development of leadership figures on the one hand and an environment of sympathizers capable of mobilization on the other. Leadership in the form of opinion-making and organizing activists is seen to have a decisive role in the development and consolidation of movements. Protest and movements are always embedded in specific political, societal and social structures that influence their concrete possibilities, forms of organization and activities. The internet expanded interaction and participation possibilities, as well as an increased transparency and control of the movement activities. Together, these impacts serve to relativize the power. Moreover, the internet allows for gain in autonomy. As a fundamentally open, decentralized infrastructure, it essentially offers room for building independent platforms on which news, pictures and videos can be published and disseminated. The extended possibilities for action that arisen with the use of the social media, are paradoxically, accompanied by a significant loss of autonomy of action. This is because the dissemination and coordination of protest through social media must likewise adhere to the tech rules. As a result, the use of social media by movements suffers a near complete loss of control over their own data tracks, communication processes and content. The internet and social media have sustainably expanded the possibilities of expression of protest as well as the repertoire of action and organizational skills of social movements. In addition, social media activities today play an important role especially at the beginning of protest waves, which are often triggered by attention-drawing and mobilizing online activities that can spread virally and in part independently. The focus on the consolidating force of technically-mediated connectivity underestimates the still existing necessity of substantial identity-building, without which emerging social movements can neither be stabilized nor gain political influence over time as an extra-parliamentary voice. Social media are, of course, not simply media channels for the dissemination of manifestos, calls to action, demands and programs. Rather, they are also platforms where the exchange of individual perceptions and experiences is predominant and where political identity-building are much more visible. Moreover, charismatic leaders in the classic sense, who mobilize masses and who hold movements together and shape their identity, have by no means disappeared from the movements scene but, on the contrary, experiencing a remarkable renaissance for several years now. Among these are: Pablo Iglesias, the leader of Podemos in Spain; Beppo Grillo, the face of the Five-Stars Movement in Italy; and Bernie Sanders, who, in the run-up to the U.S. presidential election, knew how to revive and consolidate the potential of the Occupy movement. 

140th Birthday of Yevgeny Zamyatin

                                     About one month ago, precisely on 1st of February, the Russian writer with the anglicized name of Eugene Zamyatin would complete 140 years old.  This post is a tribute to him. He was one of the first authors to write against totalitarianism and its bad consequences for the people, including mass surveillance to control every aspect of the life of the people. This post is a summary of two articles. The first was published at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yevgeny_Zamyatin. The second is a review of the book written in 1946 by the famous writer George Orwell author of another dystopian novel with the title of "1984" at     https://www.orwell.ru/library/reviews/zamyatin/english/e_zamy

                               Eugene Zamyatin (1884-1937) was a Russian author of science fiction, philosophy, literary criticism and political satire. The son of an Orthodox priest, Zamyatin lost his faith in religion at an early age and became a Bolshevik. As a member of the Party Revolutionary, Zamyatin was repeatedly arrested, beaten, imprisoned, and exiled. However, Zamyatin was deeply disturbed by the policies pursued by the Communist Party following the Revolution as he had been by Tsarist policy. Due to his use of literature to both satirize and criticize the Soviet Union's enforced conformity and increasing totalitarianism, Zamyatin is now considered one of the first Soviet dissidents. He is most famous for his highly influential and widely imitated book published in 1921, dystopian novel "We", which is set in a futuristic surveillance state. In the same year, "We" became the first work banned by the Soviet Union and Zamyatin arranged for the book to be smuggled to the west for publication. The outrage this sparked within the Party led directly to the state-organized defamation and blacklisting of Zamyatin and his request for permission from Stalin to leave his homeland. He died in 1937 in Paris and after his death continued to inspire multiple generations of Soviet dissidents. Zamyatin was born in Lebedyan, 300km south of Moscow, he studied naval engineering in Saint Petersburg, from 1902 until 1908. In March 1916, he was sent to the U.K. to supervise the construction of icebreakers at the shipyards in Wallsend. In 1917 he returned to Petersburg and plunged into the seething literary activity that was one of the most astonishing by-products of the revolution in ruined and hungry Russia. He wrote stories, plays and criticism, he lectured on literature. And very soon he came under fire from the newly proletarian writers who sought to impose on all art the sole criterion of 'usefulness to the revolution.' But, as the Russian Civil War of 1917-1923 continued, Zamyatin's writings became increasingly critical toward the Bolshevik party. Even though he was an old Bolshevik and accepted the revolution, he believed that independent speech and thought are necessary to any healthy society and opposed the party's increasing suppression of freedom of speech and the censorship of literature, media and arts. Zamyatin's vision was too far-reaching, too noncorformist and too openly expressed to be tolerated by the purveyors of official and compulsory dogma. He was attacked as a bourgeois intellectual. All the instruments of power were brought into use in the campaign for conformity. Faced with grim alternatives, most of Zamyatin's colleagues yielded to pressure, recanted publicly, in many cases rewrote their works to communist construction demanded by the dictatorship. Others writers, like Babel and Olesha, chose silence. Many committed suicide. Zamyatin's destruction took a different form, he became the object of a frenzied campaign of vilification. He was, in effect, presented with the choice of repudiating his work and his views, or total expulsion from literature. Instead of surrendering, Zamyatin, whom Mirra Ginsburg has dubbed "a man of incorruptible and uncompromising courage," He and his wive left Soviet Union in 1931 and settled in Paris. Zamyatin's novel "We", which he wrote between 1920 and 1921, is set many centuries in the future. D-503, a mathematician, lives in the One State, a society constructed almost entirely of glass apartment-buildings, which assist mass surveillance. People march in step with each other and are uniformed. There is no way of referring to people except by numbers. The individuals's behaviour is outlined by the State. Like all other citizens of One State, D-503 lives in a glass apartment and is carefully watched by the government. D-503's lover, O-90 has been assigned by the State to visit him on certain nights. She is forbid to have children and is deeply grieved by her state in life. O-90's other lover and D-503's best friend is R-13, a State poet who reads his verse at public executions. While on an assigned with O-90, D-503 meets a woman named I-330. I-330 smokes cigarettes, drinks vodka and flirts with D-503 instead of applying for a ticket sex-visit, all these acts are illegal according to the laws of One State. Slowly, I-330 reveals that she is a member of an organization of rebels against the One State. The novel does not end happily for I-330 and D-503, it also ends with a general uprising by the rebels and with the One State's survival in doubt. Unsurprisingly, the Soviet Government refused to allow the publication of "We".                                                                                                                                                                               The first thing anyone would notice about "We" is the fact, I believe that Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World" must be partly derived from it. Both books deal with the rebellion of the human spirit against a rationalised and mechanised world. Though Huxley's book shows less political awareness and is more influenced by biological and psychological theories. In the twenty-sixth century, in Zamyatin's vision of it, the inhabitants have completely lost their individuality as to be known only by numbers. They live in glass houses and apartments, which enables the political police to supervise them more easily. They all wear identical uniforms. They live on synthetic food, and their usual recreation is to march in fours while the anthem of the One State is played through loudspeakers. They are allowed for one hour, known as the sex hour, to lower the curtain round their glass apartments. In spite of endocrination and the vigilance of the government, many of the human instinct are still there. The teller of the story, D-503 falls in love (this is a crime) with I-330 who is member of a resistance movement. There are many executions in Zamyatin's dystopia. The executions and the scene describing it is given of the slave civilisations of the ancient world. It is this intuitive grasp of the irrational totalitarianism, human sacrifice, cruelty and the worship of a leader who is credited with divine attributes.

Revenue Statistics in Latin America 2023

                           In July 2021, I posted the summary of the same kind of book, in that year with data from 2018. If you want to read the previous post this is the link, so you can compare the changes   http://thepeopleteacher.blogspot.com/2021/07/revenue-statistics-in-latin-america-2020.html. This post is a summary of the book with the incomplete title above published in 2023 at https://www.oeilibrary.org/sites/a764068en/1/2/1/index.htmitemId=/content/publication/a7640683-en&_csp_=ceb60a870163d79dfecde650d331aad6&itemIGO=oecd&itemContentType=book

                             Revenue Statistics in Latin America 2023 is a joint publication by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the U.N. Economic Commission for Latin Amrica (ECLAC), the Inter-American Center for Tax Administration (CIAT) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). It presents detailed, internationally comparable data on tax revenues for 27 Latin American and Caribbean economies, four of which are OECD members. The book is based on the well-established methodology of the OECD Revenue Statistics database, which is essential reference source for OECD member countries. A recovery in economic activity after the initial shock of the COVID-19 pandemic, higher commodity prices and the end of temporary tax reliefs supported a strong rebound in tax revenues across the  Latin America (L.A.) in 2021. The average tax-to-GDP ratio in the L.A. region was 21.7%.  In comparison, the average tax-to-GDP ratio across the OECD increased by 0.6% in 2021 to reach 34.1%. Txa-to-GDP ratios ranged from 12.7% in Panama to 33.5% in Brazil in 2021. 18 countries recorded increases in their tax-to-ratio between 2020 and 2021, and 8 countries recorded decreases. The largest increase in 2021 was observed in Belize, whose tax-to-GDP ration rose by 5% due to an increase from taxes in goods and services caused by a strong rebound in tourism. The second and third largest increases were observed in Chile 2.8% and Peru 2.7%. In 2021, taxes on goods and services generated half of total tax revenues in L.A., compared with less than a third in the OECD. Fiscal policy has an important role to playing catalysing inclusive economic growth in L.A.. In the long term, higher levels of revenue will be crucial to finance investments and address demands from citizens across the region to improve equity ia the provision of public goods of quality, and to implement more comprehensive social protection systems. The Bahamas was the only country where tax revenues and GDP both declined in nominal terms between 2020 and 2021. Brazil saw the fourth-largest increase in tax revenues, which rose by 2.4% in 2021. Revenues from corporate income tax and taxes on goods and services were the main drivers of this increase. Brazil's tax revenues were also boosted by higher commodity prices. Tax-to-GDP ratios are influenced by a range of economic and structural factors. Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay show similar similar tax-to-GDP ratios to OECD countries. Empirical analysis suggest that stronger tax collection, accompanied by stronger institutions, education and skills, and economic diversification, allowed many OECD countries to evade the middle-income trap, in contrast to countries in L.A. Taxes on goods and services were the main source of revenue for all L.A. countries except Cuba, Mexico, Guyana, Panama in 2021. For those countries, revenue from taxes on income and profits accounted for the largest share. VAT rates range from 22% in Uruguay to 7% in Panama, and  they are on average 14.8% in L.A. Brazil operates a multiple-rate system with tax levied at different rates for each state. Below the ranking with the highest tax-to-GDP ratio to the lowest. We can see the Brazil has the highest tax-to-GDP ratio in the Americas.

Tax-to-GDP ratio 2021 in PanAmerican countries                                 Rest of the World

Brazil     33.5%                                                                                         France      46.1%          

Canada     33.2%                                                                                         Norway      44.3%

Argentina    29.1%                                                                                        Italy       42.9%

U.S.A.       27.7%                                                                                          Sweden     41.3%                                         

 Nicaragua      27.1%                                                                                      Germany      39.3%

Uruguay    26.5%                                                                                              Spain       37.5%

Costa Rica       24.2%                                                                                      Portugal      36.4%

El Salvador     23.3%                                                                                        U.K.       35.3%

Bolivia    22.6%                                                                                                Japan     34.1%

Chile       22.2%                                                                                               New Zealand     33.8%

Honduras        21.2%                                                                                        South Korea      32.0%

Colombia     19.5%                                                                                           Australia       29.5%

Ecuador        19.4%                                                                                        Switzerland        27.2%

Peru          17.9%                                                                                               Ireland       20.9% 

Guyana       16.8%                                                                                               Turkiye       20.8%

Mexico       16.7%                                                                                               

Guatemala         14.2%                                                                                            

Paraguay    14.0%    

Panama      12.7%                                                                                        

260th Birthday of José Bonifácio

                     Little more than eight months ago, the Brazilian scientist and politician would complete 260 years-old. He helped put some Enlightenment ideas in the formation of the new country that was being created. Unfortunately he faced opposition from the retrograte, conservative, farmer elite, and he can't put his ideas in practice.  Nowadays, all the world recognizes the injustice he suffered becoming twice  politically exiled.  This post is a summary of two articles. The first was published at   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Bonif%C3%A1cio_de_Andrada_e_Silva. The second was published at https://revistapesquisa.fapesp.br/en/jose-bonifacio-connected-ideas-from-the-age-of-enlightenment-to-brazils-independence-process/

                            José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva (1763-1838) was a Brazilian statesman, naturalist, mineralogist, professor and poet, born in Santos, SP. He was one of the most important mentors of Brazilian independence, and his actions were decisive for the success of Emperor Pedro I. He supported public education, he was an abolitionist and suggested that a new national capital be created in Brazil's interior. His career as mineralogist was marked by the discovery of four minerals. In 1800, Bonifácio was appointed professor of geology at Coimbra University and 1812, he was made secretary of the Lisbon Academy of Science. Returning to Brazil in 1819, he urged prince regent Pedro to resist the recall of the Lisbon court, and when the Independence of Brazil was declared, Bonifácio became minister of the interior and of foreign affairs. He was elected by the Constituent Assembly and author of the abolition project in Brazil, presented to the Constituent in 1821, but his democratic principles resulted in his dismissal from office in July 1823. Bonifácio spent part of his life in Europe. In his travels around Europe he studied chemistry and mineralogy with other scientists. In 1797, he became a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Science. His relationship with the prince Pedro I became incompatible and he decided to join the opposition. In 1823 he was exiled and went to Bordeaux where he lived until 1829. In 1831 when Dom Pedro I abdicated from the throne, he was appointed by the former Emperor to be the tutor of the emperor's son. He didn't agree with the Regent's government so he tried to reestablish the Empire. After being arrested in 1833 and tried for intriguing on behalf of Dom Pedro I, he passed the rest of his days in retirement at the Niterói. In December 1836, he contracted tuberculosis. He died of the disease in April 1838.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             In 1819, a 58-year-old mineralogist, with degrees in Law and Philosophy from the University of Coimbra, embarked on a journey from Lisbon to Brazil. Nearing retirement, naturalist Bonifácio was an intellectual imbued with ideas of the Enlightenment. He fought against French troops led by Napoleon and, despite his inherent responsibilities, he never became politically involved. However, this would change next year with the emergence of the Porto Revolution, which would bury the old regime and establish a constitutional monarchy in Portugal, based on the liberal ideas shared by him. The revolution shaped the formation of governing boards within the provinces, and Bonifácio was elected to the São Paulo board, establish in 1821. Two years later, he'd become one of the main architects of Brazil's Independence. In this new Brazil, he'd be constituent representative and Minister of State and Foreign Affairs. In 1823, the then Minister clashed with the elite Brazilian political leaders, which led to his dismissal in July. With the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly, he lost his mandate as representative and was exiled by the same emperor whose power he had helped to consolidate. Bonifácio's image has been disputed since the early years following Brazil's Independence. On the one hand, he is called the "Patriarch of Independence," while, on the other hand, he is seen as a despot who censored and persecuted political opponents while Minister. He is considered a man ahead of his time, having proposed the abolition of slavery and reform to the land tenure system. He shared the idea commonly held during the Age of Enlightenment, that the enlightened, the scholars knew what was best for the country. He supported a liberal regime, which entailed some degree of grassroots participation. Despite the importance of some of his roles in Portugal, only now his writings are beginning to be recognized as pioneering by science historians. In fact, in Europe, he was already identified as a forerunner in his awareness of the link between nature and the explotation of natural resources, which we'd call 'ecology' today. Bonifácio's link to Enlightenment also led to his economic ideas. As a member of the Academy of Science, he helped write Economic Memories of the Royal Academy of Science of Lisbon, a collection of essays on the Portuguese Empire's economy, published from 1789 to 1815. 

Data Privacy Day - 2024

                          Two weeks ago, precisely on 28th January, all around the world was celebrated this very important human right, the right to privacy.  All over the world they understand the importance of privacy to a dignified life, to autonomy, to security, to a life without harm, bullying, huge stress, unjustified annoying, drag and intrusive situation.   We must all fight for this right, because with its violation many others rights are also violated. If you want to have an idea about its importance, imagine your life without your privacy. All dimensions of a person's life is harmed, his relationships, his employability, his socialization, his entrepreneurship, his health, his leisure time, his travel plans, his anonymity,  there is not one aspect of the person that is not affected. This post is a summary of two articles. The first was published at https://staysafeonline.org/programs/data-privacy-week/. The second was published at https://www.fpc.gov/data-privacy-week-2024/

                         You have the power to take charge of your data. This is why we are excited to celebrated Data Privacy Week 2024 with the theme: Take Control of Your Data. Your online activity creates a treasure trove of data. This data ranges from your interests and purchases to your online behaviors, and it is collected by websites, apps, devices, services, and companies all around the globe. This data can even include information about your physical self, like health data, think about how an app on your phone might count how many steps you take. You can't control how each little piece of data about you and your family is collected. However, you still have a right to data privacy. You can help manage your data. Your data is valuable and you deserve to have a say! Become a privacy defender, become a champion. Get involved and show your commitment. Champions represent those dedicated to empowering individuals and encouraging businesses to respect privacy. Data Privacy Week is an international effort to empower individuals and individuals and business to respect privacy, safeguard data and enable trust. Last year, the National Cybersecurity Alliance expanded Data Privacy day into Data Privacy Week because your data is that important! Data Privacy Day began in the U.S. and Canada in 2008. It is an extension of Data protection Day in Europe, which commemorates the January 28, 1981 signing of Convention the first legally binding treaty dealing with privacy protection. The goal of Data Privacy Week is to spread awareness about online privacy. Our goal is twofold: we want to help citizens understand that they have the power to manage their data and we want to help organizations understand why it is important that they respect their user's data. Even seemingly innocuous information, such as your favorite restaurant or items you purchase online, can be used to make assumptions about you and your habits. Many companies have the opportunity to monitor the data of their users and consumers, and they sell the data for profit.                                                                                                                 The Federal Privacy Council is proud to be a champion for Data Privacy Week 2024, a global effort to raise awareness about the importance of respecting privacy, safeguarding data, and enabling trust. This year's theme is Take Control of Your Data. When you think of privacy, what comes to mind? Closing your window shades? Keeping your phone screen locked? Shutting the door when you have a sensitive conversation? We do all these things to preserve our privacy, but it is important to know exactly what we're talking about when we say "privacy." Privacy is the right to not be observed or disturbed by others. This includes a right for certain information to not be observed. When it comes to your digital life, it revolves around your right to protect your personal data. You can usually think of privacy as your right to keep your person and your information to yourself. Data privacy and cybersecurity are different fields, but they go together. Data privacy revolves around rules, guidelines, and your own personal choices about who has access to your data, and how much access they have. Cybersecurity is focused on preventing and solving threats like hacking, malware, and online scams. A lot of cybersecurity is about keeping your data safe. Data privacy, on the other hand, is about your right to keep your data safe, especially from those who aren't cybercriminals. like websites and businesses. With technology, there is always a trade-off between privacy and convenience. A maps app, for example, needs to know your current location to give your directions. In many cases, though, you can choose how much data you want to share. This is where knowing about data privacy can help you make decisions and form habits. Believe, finding peace of mind by being more aware of your data privacy is worth it.

Five Years on From the Brumadinho Dam Disaster

                 The most important human right, the right to life must be more respected in Brazil. We all must demand a severe punishment when this right is violated.  This post is a summary three articles. The first was published with the title above at    https://pogustgoodhead.com/brumadinho-dam-disaster-five-years/. The second was published at   https://www.fidh.org/en/issues/business-human-rights-environment/business-and-human-rights/5-year-anniversary-brumadinho-letter-investors. The third was published at   https://valorinternational.globo.com/business/news/2024/01/15/brumadinho-is-partially-repaired-5-years-after-disaster.ghtml

                  On 25 January 2019, a dam collapsed in Brumadinho Brazil, killed 272 people and nearly 12 million cubic metres of toxic mud cascaded through local communities and into water systems. Despite the warnings about the dam's stability, Germany company TUV SUD's subsidiary had certified the dam as safe. Operations continued which ultimately led to the disaster. On the fifth anniversary, victims of the Brumadinho disaster travelled more than 9,000 km to Munich, to demand justice at TUV SUD's headquarters, hand in a letter and read the names of the 272 fatal victims. Among them was Karine Naiara Andrade who lost her sister, Natália in the tragedy. Karine said, "five years ago, our lives were turned upside down in a way we will never fully recover from. We are here today asking to be seen, heard, for the pain we are suffering to be understood. We are asking for our fellow claimants to receive the compensation they deserve." Guy Robson, Partner at the  law firm Pogust Goodhead who was at the event in Munich said: "today, we reflect on the loss and suffering that continues to affect so many. The tragedy in Brumadinho has left a deep scar on the local environment. It has also left an equally deep scar on victims who can't get the closure they deserve as TUV SUD tries to drag out proceedings. TUV SUD has refused to compensate them since the dam collapsed five years ago. They should now do the right thing and bring this ongoing suffering to an end." In our pursuit of justice on behalf of our clients, we remain deeply troubled by the prolonged struggle for compensation from TUV SUD. It is disheartening that, even after five years, the path to justice and fair compensation remains elusive for our clients." Bruna Ficklscherer, Legal Director at Pogust Goodhead said, "TUV SUD's role in this disaster can not be understated. The delay in compensating those affected only adds to the anguish of the victims. We continue to call for accountability and transparency in the legal proceedings, urging TUV SUD to expedite the compensation process. We'll continue fighting for justice for the victims whose lives and livelihoods were ripped apart by the Brumadinho disaster."                                                                          On the fifth anniversary of the Brumadinho dam disaster, International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) is one of 13 civil society organisations launching a global coalition to engage with investors in Vale. the company responsible for Brasil's worst environmental and industrial disaster. In a letter marking the catastrophic event, NGOs invite investors to go beyond company reports and come see the situation for themselves on the ground. Five years later, Vale still has to honour its commitment to repairing the damage it has caused and providing justice to affected families and communities. The latter live in a heavily contaminated environment and are afraid that another mining disaster could happen at any time: 27 dams are operating under emergency protocols and two dams are at risk of rupture. FIDH and its partners wrote to investors to re-evaluate their engagement with Vale in the light of its role in the Brumadinho tragedy and visit the site to speak to local organisations and witness the long-lasting impacts of the burst and current mining issues which would be preventable.                                                                                                                                  The sign at the entrance to the city of Brumadinho, im Minas Gerais, with 270 white roses representing the fatalities of the collapse of the dam at mining giant Vale's Corrego do Feijão mine on January 25, 2019, shows that the memory of the disaster is still alive in the minds of residents. On the eve of the fifth anniversary of the disaster, Vale presented the progress made in the last year in terms of reparations and compensation. Victims have criticized the delay in bringing to justice and punishing those responsible for the dam collapse, as well as the delay in implementing some of the reparations projects. Vale reported that it has already paid R$25.6 billion of the R$37.7 billion reparation agreement signed in 2021 with the M.G. state government, the federal government and the judicial bodies, which should be concluded by 2030. In terms of compensation, R$3.5 billion has been paid to 15,400 people who signed legal agreements. In addition to this amount, Vale paid R$2.4 billion for comprehensive assistance to victims before the settlement. It also spent R$2.2 billion out of a total of R$4.4 billion from the income transfer program, which has been managed by the FGV since the end of 2021. Flávia Soares, Vale's Economic Development Manager for reparations, mentioned a series of projects in the Corrego do Feijão district aimed at strengthening the local economy. She said, "in 2023, almost R$500,000 were generated by the 51 people involved in the many projects." For the families of the victims, the failure of the courts to punish the perpetrators is an open wound. For three years, a criminal case against 16 people for aggravated homicide and environmental crimes for the dam collapse has been pending in the M.G. courts, in January 2023, at the request of the defense of two defendants, the case was transferred to a federal court. Josiane Melo, a board member of the Association of Families of Victims and Affected People. She said, "we believe that impunity allows the crime to be repeated."  She also said that there is a lot of repair work to be done and relatives of the victims are waiting to enter the Income Transfer Program (PTR). FGV Andre Andrade, Executive of the FGV estimates that the final number of beneficiaries will be around 150,000. The PTR brings a 50% increase in family income to the region. "The compensation and assistance programs certainly have a significant impact on the minucipality's GDP", said Brumadinho's Planning and Coordination Secretary, Norberto Ribeiro. The secretary said that Brumadinho has 38,640 inhabitants, but there is a floating population, present in the city due to the aid given by Vale or the increase in jobs offered in the reparation work, which brings the contingent to 50,000 people.                                                                                                                        

International Anti-Corruption Day 2023 - Part II

                           This post is a summary of two articles. The first was published at    https://www.transparency.org.nz/blog/anti-corruption-day-2023. The second was published at   https://ritusacademy.com/international-anti-corruption-day-2023/

                                The 2023 International Anti-Corruption Day seeks to highlight the link between anti-corruption and peace, security, and development. Corruption not only follows conflict, but is also frequently one of its root causes. It fuels conflict and inhibits peace processes by undermining rule of law, worsening poverty, and providing financing for armed conflict. Tackling corruption is the right and responsibility of everyone, and only through cooperation and the involvement of every person and institution can we build peace, security and development. This day is a celebration of the progress in the fight against corruption since it was initiated, and a reminder that there is still a lot of work to be done.                                                                                                                                             The theme of International Anti-Corruption Day 2023 is 'Uniting the World Against Corruption.' This theme celebrates the 20th anniversary of the U.N. Convention against corruption and highlight the crucial link between anti-corruption and achieving peace, security and development. The theme emphasizes several key points: 1) Celebrating the achievements of U.N. Convention Anti-Corruption (UNCAC). 2) Recognizing the ongoing challenges. 3) Calling for collective action. Addressing corruption requires a united approach that involves governments, civil society, private sector and individuals. 4) Focusing on the links between anti-corruption and peace, security and development.    Corruption manifests in various forms, from bribery to frauds. Its impact is felt across sectors, impeding economic growth, hindering sustainable development and exacerbating inequality. Developing nations often bear the brunt of corruption, with resources intended for public welfare diverted into the pockets of the corrupt few. Transparent and accountable governance is pivotal, and institutions must be equipped to investigate and prosecute corrupt practices. In the digital age, tech plays a crucial role in anti-corruption initiatives. Blockchain, A.I. and open data platforms have the potential to enhance transparency, making it more difficult for corrupt practices to go unnoticed. Despite progress, challenges persist in the fight against corruption. Weak institutions, lack of enforcement and a culture of impunity pose hurdles. Efforts such as the UNCAC and the work of organizations like Transparency International serve as beacons in the global fight against corruption. Education and awareness are key components of anti-corruption strategies. Empowering people with  knowledge and tools to combat corruption is crucial for building societies based on integrity and ethical principles.  Social media platforms have become powerful tools for citizens to expose corruption and mobilize public support for anti-corruption initiatives. Ethical leadership, both in the public and private sectors, sets the tone for a value-driven society. Institutions fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and transparency contribute to building resilience against the corrosive effects of corruption. While legal frameworks are essential, their effectiveness depends on robust implementation and enforcement. International Anti-Corruption Day calls for a holistic approach that goes beyond legislation, emphasizing the need for a strategy encompassing education, public awareness and the creation of an environment where corruption is not tolerated. Grand corruption, involving high-level officials and vast sums of money, poses a  threat. International collaboration, extradition treaties, and the pursuit of justice for grand corruption cases demonstrate the commitment of the international community to holding the powerful accountable. Efforts to recover stolen assets and curb money laundering contribute to dismantling the infrastructure that supports grand corruption. The role of citizens in demanding transparency and accountability can't be overstated. Movements and civil society organizations play a vital role in holding governments and institutions accountable. An impartial and independent judiciary is fundamental in the battle against corruption. International Anti-Corruption emphasizes the significance of safeguarding judicial integrity. Judicial systems that are free from political interference and corruption are better equipped to prosecute wrongdoers and ensure that justice is served. The establishment of anti-corruption courts contribute to building a resilient legal framework. To gauge the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures, robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are essential. Regular assessments, independent audits and performance evaluation ensure that policies translate into tangible outcomes. Empowering people with knowledge about the detrimental effects of corruption and instilling values of integrity are pivotal aspects of the anti-corruption agenda. While International Anti-Corruption Day serves as an annual reminder, the fight against corruption requires sustained, long-term commitment. Building a corruption-free world demands ongoing efforts to strengthen institutions, nurture a culture of transparency and cultivate ethical leadership. The ultimate goal is to create a legacy, where corruption is an aberration of the past, and societies thrive on principles of justice, integrity and accountability. A free and independent media plays a critical role in exposing corruption and holding those in power accountable. Investigative journalism brings to light cases of corruption, informs the public and acts as a catalyst for change. This day underscores the importance of safeguarding media freedom and supporting journalists who fearlessly pursue the truth. Efforts to recover and repatriate stolen assets are integral to the anti-corruption agenda. International cooperation in tracking and returning ill-gotten gains ensures that the proceeds of corruption are redirected towards public welfare. Mutual legal assistance agreements and collaboration among financial institutions are crucial components of these efforts. While tech presents innovative solutions to combat corruption, it also introduces new challenges. Cybersecurity threats, digital fraud and the misuse of tech for corrupt purpose require ongoing attention. Strengthening whistleblower protection laws encourage individuals to come forward with information about corrupt practices without fear of retaliation and also provide incentives for reporting. Integrating ethics education into curricula at all levels promotes a values-based approach to combating corruption. The role of education in shaping ethical decision-making and fostering a culture where individuals from a young age, understand the importance of integrity and accountability. International Anti-Corruption Day serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to fight corruption and build a more fair and equitable world. By fostering a culture of transparency, accountability and ethical governance, we can pave the way for a future free from the shackles of corruption. 

International Anti-Corruption Day - 2023

                                 I'd like to dedicate this post to Thiago Rodrigues, pre candidate to mayor of Guarujá murdered last month. A little more than one month ago, precisely on 9th December, the whole world celebrated the importance to fight corruption. This year there will be election in October, so let's see what the candidates will promise to help us in this important fight, ask them about it. The public money must be very well used, so that we can have better schools, better hospitals, better security, better streets and roads, better jobs, greater development, less inequality, less injustice. To sum things up a more functional government and consequently a better country for all. The fight against corruption is very important,  so we all should be involved in this fight, because the theft of public resources harm us all. But we all should know that this fight is not easy, activists for this important ethical cause can suffer persecution, including having their political rights systematically disrespected. The people should not be naive, there are many people that are not interested in this activism, in this fight. This post is a summary of three articles. The first was published at  https://www.un.org/en/observances/anti-corruption-day The second was published at  https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/international-anti-corruption-day-2023/    The third was published at https://commissioners.ec.europa.eu/news/statement-commissioner-home-affairs-ylva-johansson-international-anti-corruption-day-2023-12-09_en

                            The U.N. Convention against Corruption at 20: Uniting the world against corruption. The world today faces some of its greatest challenges in many generations, challenges, which threaten prosperity and stability for people across the globe. The plague of corruption is interwined in most of them. Corruption has negative impacts on every aspect of society and is profoundly interwined with conflict and instability, jeopardizing social and economic development and undermining democratic institutions and the rule of law. Corruption fuels conflict and inhibits peace processes by undermining the rule of law, worsening poverty, facilitating the illicit use of resources, and providing financing for armed conflict. Preventing corruption, promoting transparency, and strengthening institutions is crucial, if the targets foreseen in the Sustainable Development Goals are to be met. The 2023 International Anti-Corruption Day seeks to highlight the crucial link between anti-corruption and peace, security and development. At its core is the notion that tackling this crime is the right and responsibility of everyone, and that only through cooperation and the involvement of every person and institution can we overcome the negative impact of this crime, we all have a role to play in uniting the world against corruption. Corruption is a complex social, political and economic phenomenon that affects all countries. Corruption undermines democratic institutions, slow economic development and contributes to governmental instability. Corruption attacks the foundation of democratic institutions by distorting electoral processes, perverting the rule of law and creating bureaucratic quagmires, whose only reason for existing is the soliciting of bribes. On 31 October 2003, the General Assembly adopted the U.N. Convention Against Corruption and designated 9th December as International Anti-Corruption Day, to raise awareness of corruption and the role of the Convention in combating and preventing it.                                                                                                                                                              International Anti-Corruption Day is a global observance dedicated to raising awareness about the detrimental effects of corruption on societies and economies worldwide. It serves as a call to action to combat corruption, promote transparency, and upon ethical values in both public and private sectors. This day is an annual event that emphasizes the need to tackle corruption and its far-reaching consequences. Corruption undermines trust in institutions, hampers economic development, and erodes justice. Here are 5 ways to get involved in the fight against corruption: 1) Use social media, educational forums, and community discussions to raise awareness about the negative impacts of corruption and the importance of combating it. 2) Support anti-corruption organizations. Contribute to or volunteer with organizations working to combat corruption locally or internationally. 3) Support efforts to improve governmental transparency. 4) If you encounter corruption or unethical behavior, report it through the appropriate channels. Whistleblower protection lwas exist in many countries to safeguard those who report corruption. 5) Familiarize yourself with anti-corruption laws and conventions in your country and around the world. Know your rights and responsibilities.                                                                                                             Corruption is highly damaging to society, to our democracies, to the economy and to individuals. With the legal proposals on anti-corruption adopted on 3rd May 2023, the European Commission placed a strong focus on preventing and creating a culture of integrity, in which corruption is not tolerated. We put forward strengthened rules criminalising corruption offences and harmonised penalties across the E.U. The proposal also included the creation of the E.U. Network against corruption. The Network is a forum for all key stakeholders in the E.U. to exchange good practices, opportunities, ideas and plans for further work on anti-corruption measures. Through its annual Rule of Law reports, the commission also monitors anti-corruption developments at national level, identifies challenges and issues recommendations to Member States. 

The Impact of Digital Transformation on Democracy and Good Governance

                      This post is a summary of the book with the title above published in 2021 at https://rm.coe.int/study-on-the-impact-of-digital-transformation-on-democracy-and-good-go/1680a3b9f9

                  There are various debates at play on the future of democracy in the digital age. Despite decreasing levels of trust in traditional institutions and politicians, individuals are willing to engage in the public sphere. Digital tech provide additional opportunities to express this engagement: citizens participate in online conversations, consultations and deliberations; contribute online to causes they support, including financially; and share their input that help hold public institutions to account. Increasingly, deliberative forms of democracy have come into play to complement representative democracy, thus enhancing transparency and inclusiveness of the public decision-making process. Overall, digital tech offers ways to enhance the quality of democracy in terms of accountability and responsiveness. Digitalisation can offer public administration new channels to deliver quality services. Embracing digital transformation means also promoting a cultural change in the work of civil servants. Digital transformation has an impact on all aspects of life, from the economy to government, from geopolitics to the way in which ordinary people interact. The Council of Europe work in this area has intensified in the past 3 years, with mandates being given to different intergovernmental committees to look into different aspects relating to technology and its impact on human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The 12 Principles of Good Governance are enshrined in the strategy endorsed by Council of Europe in 2008. They are: 1) Participation, representation and fair conduct of elections. 2) Responsiveness. 3) Efficiency and effectiveness. 4) Openness and transparency. 5) Rule of law. 6) Ethical conduct. 7) Competence and capacity. 8) Innovation and openness to change. 9) Sustainability and long-term orientation. 10) Sound financial management. 11) Human rights, cultural diversity and social cohesion. 12) accountability. Whether in the area of democracy or in the area of government and public administration, when adequate safeguards are in place, tech can play a vital role in strengthening the implementation of all these principles, thus improving the quality of government, meeting people's needs and expectations, and ultimately contributing to greater trust in public institutions. Despite the manifold opportunities digital tech offer to strengthen democracy and governance, digital tech might also adversely affect the enjoyment of individual rights and freedoms, for instance as regards privacy and data protection. Many argue that liberal democracy is in crisis or has come under attack. However, there is no consensus about the causes of the crisis nor on the role digital tech play with regards to it. Some elements of democracy are being challenged and losing ground while others are acquiring greater prominence. It is hard to say whether this is a problem or rather an evolution of democracy. For instance, for many years Europe States have witnessed a disenchantment with representative democracy, which is epitomised by declining participation rates in elections and support for traditional political parties. At the same time, new political actors and movements have arisen. Democracy is not a static system. On the contrary, one way to think about the current crisis is that another moment have arrived that requires democracy to evolve. Citizens are demanding a kind of democracy that is more responsive. The solution is thus not to limit democracy, but to deepen it further in what has been called the 'democratization of democracy'. Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of democracy. They require independent public opinion formation. Digital tech form an important part of the information system voters rely on. Digital tech have reshaped the ways in which people express their will. For democracy to function, a well-informed public is needed. In the digital age, information circulates on a global scale. The main motivation for digitalisation in the public sector is to increase efficiency and thus reduce costs. In addition, it is believed that digitalisation will free public officials from routine activites that can best be automated. Digital transformation, democracy and good governance have a fundamental feature in common: they are dynamic processes. They evolve over time. being influenced by a great number of internal and external factors. These processes are closely interwined and impact on each other in an unprecedented way at the present time which is often referred to as 'the digital age'. The digitalisation of the public sector has experienced a rapid acceleration in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. During such challenging times, the ability to 'go digital' has greatly contributed to the resilience of public action, ensuring that democratic institutions could continue to work and public services to be delivered. In parallel, however, digitalisation exposes democracy to new vulnerabilities at hands of hostile private and public actors. To harness the potential of digital transformation to strengthen democracy, governments will need to equip themselves for a cultural change: flexibility, self-evaluation, continuous learning, I.T. skills will be necessary to enable public officials to use tech and prevent negative consequences.