CORRUPTION

International Affairs Forum Fall 2016
global advocacy activities are locally driven and built on evidence, giving local organizations access
to international and intergovernmental forums to promote their experiences.
During the Anti-Corruption Summit in London, Hivos presented its programme and contributed to the
Anti-Corruption Manifesto. The outcome of the summit was significant in terms of commitments—
especially the one “making public procurement open by default” and the fourteen countries that
promised to implement the Open Contracting Data Standard, envisioning accessible, useable data
across the entire chain of public contracting. Also, see the Summit Communiqué.
The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) enables disclosure of data and documents at all
stages of the contracting process by defining a common data model. It was created in support of
organizations to increase contracting transparency and allow deeper analysis of contracting data by
a wide range of users. The adherence to this technical standard is important because it enables data
users worldwide to compare data sets across sectors and countries. We would have liked stronger
outcomes on beneficial ownership and for government leaders to take the necessary steps to end
impunity and protect whistleblowers and human right defenders.
How We Work
Working with champions within governmental institutions and the private sector helps to engage
partners across the state-market-civil society divide. Brokering coalitions—particularly between
citizens and governments—is an important component of our strategy. Being keenly aware of existing
and emerging patterns of exclusion in the digital age, we are also keeping a special eye on initiatives
that contest marginalizing practices which keep large portions of populations (youth, women, rural
communities, senior citizens, non-tech educated) detached from the decision making processes. One
of the risks evolves around the digital divide between those having access to digital technology and
knowing how to use it, and those who don’t.
This emerging environment also brings novel ethical challenges and uncertainties. Hivos, therefore,
also seeks to work on the basis of “responsible data” principles. The “data revolution” should be
subject to critical debate about the ethical responsibilities entailed in an increased use of data,
especially when it comes to taking decisions that directly impact people’s lives and autonomy. We
believe that citizens need to be the subjects and owners of the data revolution, not just its objects
reduced to data points.
Another critical assumption is that citizens will take up their responsibility and use the data as tools
of active citizenship. Often, a change in behavior, as much as in expectations and culture, is needed
for people to start asking questions and hold governments accountable. For Hivos, asking these
questions is an indicator for success in itself. That is why one of the pillars of the Open Contracting
Programme evolves around the strengthening of citizen engagement in governance. Making public
contracting more transparent and efficient should be of high priority for any government aiming to
advance good governance, accountability, and mitigate corruption.
Fall 2016
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