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Measuring Corruption in Bangladesh: Can Communication Work? Iftekhar Zaman Executive Director Transparency Internation

Measuring Corruption in Bangladesh: Can Communication Work? Iftekhar Zaman Executive Director Transparency International Bangladesh --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Presented at the DAC Heads of Information Conference 2006 on

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Measuring Corruption in Bangladesh: Can Communication Work? Iftekhar Zaman Executive Director Transparency Internation

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  1. Measuring Corruption in Bangladesh: Can Communication Work? Iftekhar Zaman Executive Director Transparency International Bangladesh --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Presented at the DAC Heads of Information Conference 2006 on “The Aid Agenda: Corruption, Governance & Aid Effectiveness – Communicating the Big Issues”. Canberra, 17-19 May 2006.

  2. Bangladesh: Remarkable Social Progress • Steady economic growth (5-6 %) since 1990s • Decline in population growth (2.5 in 80s to 1.7 in 1990-2004) • Primary education enrollment from 72% in 1980 to 98% in 2001 • Infant mortality from 145 in 1970 to 46 in 2003 per 1000 live births • Child mortality from 239 to 69 per 1000 during the same • Share of population in poverty from 59 in 1990 to 50% in 2000 • Food security markedly increased – near self-sufficiency • All these gains achieved despite widely acknowledged governance failures

  3. Corruption – the key problem • Corruption – a global challenge • More than bribery - Abuse of power for private gain - power in the government & outside; economic, political and social power. • Increases poverty and injustice • Prevents development and rule of law • Undermines democracy and governance • Distorts market and stifles economic growth • Breeds crimes, social frustration, discontent and insecurity

  4. CORRUPTION: Bias against the poor • Corruption - a key challenge against development in Bangladesh, and a major political issue • More than Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) - acknowledged across political spectrum • Opportunity Cost – about 3 percent higher growth was possible • Diverts investment and discourages development partnership - exclusion of Bangladesh from US MCA attributed to corruption. • 75% of more than $35 billion received since independence have been estimated to have been lost for corruption • The poor are directly affected - access to essential services such as education, health, justice and individual safety has become a function of the capacity to make unauthorized payments. • Main impediment to meeting the PRS and MDG.

  5. Corruption: Preventing access to education

  6. Corruption: Preventing access to health service

  7. Corruption: Preventing law enforcement

  8. Household Income lost to bribery

  9. FIGHTING CORRUPTION The key challenge – linkage with power. • Complete eradication of corruption is not a realistic proposition. • Strengthening of key institutions – the national integrity system is the prerequisite backed by highest level political will and preparedness to act without fear or favour.

  10. The National Integrity System a) Parliament – Standing Committees b) Central Role of the Executive c) Neutral and non-political public service commission – Public Service Code of Ethics - Accountability, Rigorously practiced Conflict of Interest policy d) Transparent & Competitive Public Procurement e) High Standards in Financial Management f) Competitive and Socially Responsible Private Corporate Sector • Independent Judiciary • Professional Law Enforcement Institutions - Police h) The Auditor General

  11. i) Independent Anti-Corruption Institution, laws – effectiveness & enforcement j) Empowered local government k) Independent Election Commission capable of delivering free and fair election • An Independent and Free Media - Access to Information • The Ombudsman n) The Civil Society – citizen’s voice and citizen’s movement o) International Actors and Mechanisms – UN Convention

  12. TI-Bangladesh: Creating Demand by Measuring Corruption– Does it Work? • Household surveys • Diagnostic Studies • National Integrity System Monitoring • ParliamentWatch, CourtWatch • Report Cards – citizen’s response • Corruption Database

  13. Measuring Corruption -Does it Work? Research-Plus • Work with the Government for policy reform and institutional change • Dissemination for awareness and opinion building through media campaign – TVC, adverts, bill- boards, posters, stickers, etc.

  14. Engage Citizens Committees of Concerned Citizens (CCCs) • Lead public awareness & participation campaign • Seminars, workshops, rallies, roundtables, specific events/days • Inform and advise the public • Engage public officials & representatives in motivational and specific action-oriented activities • Creating “Islands of Integrity” - Report Cards as tools

  15. Build Constituencies • Working with media, CSO/NGOs, development partners • Memberships, Friends, Fellowships, Internships • Engaging the youth - volunteers groups, theatre & other cultural groups; students for civic education.

  16. In Lieu of a Conclusion • To fight corruption requires highest level political commitment for courageous action without fear or favour. • Where the political commitment is weak, and institutions are not functioning independently and effectively – create demand: inform, communicate and campaign for a social movement.

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