'What works and why in community-based anti-corruption programs'

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What works and why in community-based anti-corruption programsCASESTUDY 12Box 3.12 Multi-sector Coalition – South KoreaIn 2005 four sectors of South Korean society; Political, Public, Economic, and Civil Society, cametogether to form the Korean Pact on Anti-Corruption and Transparency, or K-PACT. This social pactbrings together a national collective effort to increase transparency and end corruption.K-PACT emerged from mounting public discord towards Korea’s endemic corruption problems.Dogged by repeated slush fund and electoral scandals, government’s claims to be clamping down oncorruption were viewed with popular cynicism. Civil society anti-corruption groups were popping upacross the country, but with no national coalition or links to the economic or public sector, theircampaigns were limited to sideline critiques of business and government.Capitalising on an expressed willingness of the business and economic sector to instigate reforminitiatives, and with national community support, TI-Korea proposed the formation of a quad-partitecoalition. With the signing of the social pact, each sector committed to national anti-corruptioncampaigns.K-PACT involves sectoral commitments to address weaknesses to corruption and improve systems.For instance:Public sector: improving local government transparency, reforming Information Disclosure Acts andstrengthening anti-corruption education; and improvement in public corporation's transparencyPolitical sector: strengthening of the National Assembly Ethics Committee, eradication of illegalpolitical fundsPrivate sector: improving accounting and audit standards, establishing ethics, protection ofwhistleblowers and information disclosureCivil society: improvements in accountability and transparency of civil society, introduction of CitizenOmbudsmanLogistical support is provided through the secretariat (K-PACT Council), assisting with cooperationbetween participants and enforcing the four agendas of inspection, evaluation, dissemination, andrenewal of the Pact.The K-PACT is not a fixed framework. It is designed to be adapted to fit the different needs of varioussectors, spheres, and regions. For example, on the basis of K-PACT Korean medical andconstruction sectors have established their own pacts, bringing together relevant government, public,private and community stakeholders.Regarding community involvement, civil society groups in the K-PACT network represent 12 ofKorea’s 16 regions. Community groups receive K-PACT support for youth education, research andinvestigation activities and monitoring of local governments’ administration, legislation and finances.The K-PACT Council and civil society organisations organize national public campaigns for occasionssuch as UN Anti-Corruption Day. A citizen charter is included in K-PACT and citizens can be includedin K-PACT through organisations or as individuals.Key strengths● Results of K-PACT testify to the commitment from each sector to fulfil their commitments andmove away from corruption practices. More that 85% of the top 500 South Korean corporations havesigned onto the pact. In just 12 months 10 laws have been passed, addressing issues raised by K-PACT.● The program is adopting a long-term view. Future goals include encouraging greater publicparticipation anti-corruption activities and increasing the prominence and understanding of K-PACT inthe public arena.● K-PACT is adaptable to different sectors who can establish their own accountability andtransparency pact based on the overarching principles of K-PACT.● Unlike many coalitions that dependent on members providing all logistical and resource support,the K-PACT is assisted by its own secretariat.- 30 -
What works and why in community-based anti-corruption programsKey challenges● The K-PACT is highly dependent on political will to reform and make changes to curb andprevent corruption.● There is no clause regarding non-compliance and as a ‘voluntary’ pact, compulsion must comefrom within each sector to reform and implement necessary changes.● Lacking any legal status, K-PACT and the K-PACT Council do not have guaranteed existenceshould a government hostile to the pact’s goals emerge.K-PACT_________________________________________________________________________________CASESTUDY 13The Community Coalition Against Corruption in Papa New Guinea brings together the national mediacouncil with anti-corruption organisations and local community groups.Box 3.13 Community Coalition Against Corruption – Papua New GuineaThe PNG Community Coalition Against Corruption, CCAC, is a loose network of approximately 90groups coming together to fight corruption. The CCAC was established in 2002 by the combinedefforts of Transparency International PNG (TI PNG), the Media Council of PNG (MCPNG), theOmbudsman Commission, The Office of the Public Prosecutor, the PNG Chamber of Commerce, andPNG churches. TI PNG and the Media Council of PNG jointly coordinate the coalition. The CCACaims to engage the PNG community in all sectors in the fight against corruption. It also promotes goodgovernance, leadership and a message of unity for PNG, such that PNG society can develop itselfeconomically, socially and politically. Members can be groups, organisations or individuals andincludes NGOs, churches, community groups, businesses and private sector companies. It isestimated that through members and constituents of CCAC groups, the Coalition can reach out to anestimated at two million PNG citizens.In the lead up to the 2002 national PNG elections the CCAC played an important role in the selfdeclared“War on Corruption”. The War on Corruption was declared to create community awareness,debate and networking opportunities for good governance advocates. Activities included a mediacampaign supporting voters’ rights, and a civic program raising issues of selling and buying votes,together with discussion on voting for honest leaders.In 2005 the CCAC campaigned against two proposed Bills: the first proposed to exempt PNG MPsfrom dismissal from office if found guilty of being in breach of the Leadership Code, and the secondsought to increase electoral support grants from K500,000 to K1,500,000. Through community groupstalking with citizens and explaining the ramifications of the proposed bills, and collecting petitions fromacross the country, CCAC brought the discord of the community to the PNG government.With obvious public discontent over the bills, the PNG government withdrew the controversial bills. In2006 the CCAC campaigned to ensure that the Parliamentary Select Committee to review theOmbudsman Commission of PNG did not make changes that would weakened the OmbudsmanCommission. As the 2007 national election looms, CCAC members are preparing for communitycampaigning and education on the inaugural limited-preferential voting system.As a relatively young coalition, the CCAC is determining tactics and strategies for successfulcampaigning. Maintaining a flow of information between members is seen as critical. The CCAC isalso selective about issues and matters for campaigns, advocating on matters with widespreadcommunity impact. Consensus between members of the coalition is vital for campaigns. To facilitatediscussion the CCAC now holds four forums across the country for members to raise issues anddiscuss future campaigns.With a diversity of members, the CCAC must ensure the needs of smaller members are considered.One approach is encouraging larger organisations to make resources available to other CCAC- 31 -
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