cont. - Ashoka

Questions on
the Table
Here are examples
of questions that set
the groundwork for
the consultation:
• What contributions
can social entrepreneurs
make to fight
corruption?
• Are there barriers or
approaches specific
to the Latin American
context?
• Which are the
current networks
that are working
on corruption and
transparency? What
is their scope?
• Do social entrepreneurs
need to
interface with those
networks?
• Is it necessary that
socially entrepreneurial
initiatives
transform into
public policy? Why
or why not?
• What are the risks
and challenges of
taking that leap?
• How would we
transform Fellows’
innovations and
strategies into a
public policy?
• What changes are
needed to push
Fellows’ models to
their full potential?
Creating Integrity systems (cont.)
corruption. The next will be
held with Fellows in Asia in
the fall of 2007.
Highlights and Outcomes
of Consultation
To spotlight the most effective
practices used by experts
in the field, each Fellow
presented his or her unique
approach to fighting corruption.
Methods presented
included programs aimed at
developing citizen groups
that monitor corruption at
the local level, increasing
governmental transparency
and citizen access to information,
and mobilizing youth
to play a more active role in
their local government.
Expanded Definition
of Corruption
Corruption is not only the
embezzlement or misuse
of public funds or resources,
but any action taken
by a government official
that is not in the best interests
of the people they
represent.
While each Fellow employs
his or her own method, it
was apparent that the focal
point of each approach was
catalyzing citizen involvement
and participation, putting
citizens back in control.
Taking stock of their many
approaches to fighting
corruption, Fellows then
identified critical areas to
engage citizens. Individuals
need to develop a sense of
ownership of the state, its
Ashoka Fellows and staff gathered in Lima, Peru for
the Global Fellowship / Changemakers
anti-corruption collaboration
resources and their representatives.
As one Fellow put it,
“No one would let you come
into their house and steal
from them, but because it
belongs to the State, no one
does anything.”
Changing the public’s
perceptions and attitudes
towards its government
is crucial for marshaling
citizen participation. Apathy,
cynicism and fear can cripple
even the most open systems.
The group identified several
key areas in which a shift in
popular public attitude could
have significant impact.
Other key components to
achieving effective citizen
control include:
• Recognizing, promoting
and helping honest
leaders, institutions and
citizens.
• Developing systems to
enable better inter- and
intra-sector collaboration.
• Effectively using the
justice system and other
mechanisms to denounce
and punish corruption.
Fellows also developed a
regional mosaic of solutions
for corruption based on
the online discussions on
Changemakers.net and on
the fruitful collaboration in
Lima. While this collaboration
was only the start of
a long and complicated
Redefinition of Government Responsibilities
Governments, and more importantly government
officials, have a duty to their constituency. They
have a responsibility to put the best interests of the
public first and foremost, whether they are voting on
new legislation or negotiating contracts with private
industry. They are the primary watchdogs.