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.