Module 3 Why measure corruption?

1. Module 3 Why measure corruption? Module 3 Why measure corruption? • Assessment anxiety? • vast diversity of approaches that serve different purposes • UNCAC reporting mechanism asks countries to explain the systems used for evaluating their compliance (UNCAC self-assessment checklist) • How best to link the processes of nationally led assessments and UNCAC reporting? • Starting point: how does a country intend to use corruption assessments? For what purpose?

2. Module 3 Why measure corruption? Activity 1 Uses of corruption assessments • What are corruption assessments used for? • Small groups brainstorm, record responses on paper • 5 minutes

3. Module 3 Why measure corruption? Activity 1 Uses of corruption assessments • Rankinghas been used to identify change over time, in order to achieve the following objectives: • Naming and shaming governments and actors seen to be the worst corruption offenders • Identifying good practices • Praising good performance and promoting a virtuous cycle of competition • Informing decisions about aid allocations • Informing investment decisions Photo by: takeabreak/flickr

4. Module 3 Why measure corruption? Activity 1 Uses of corruption assessments • National or sub-national corruption assessments (e.g. research projects) may, additionally, be used for: • Understanding the drivers of corruption and the blockages to reform (e.g. political economy studies) • Assessing the functioning of anti-corruption mechanisms • Understanding the factors underlying well-functioning accountability policies, mechanisms and practices • Developing AC strategies and coordinated policies • Identifying capacity gaps • Strengthening existing monitoring systems • Understanding the impact of corruption, e.g. on marginalised groups, and on business

5. Module 3 Why measure corruption? Activity 2 Monitoring compliance with UNCAC • Poll • Whose country has ratified the UNCAC and has completed the process of self-assessing compliance? • Does anyone have direct experience with the UNCAC self-assessment tool?

6. Module 3 Why measure corruption? Mini-lecture UNCAC self-assessment • UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) • adopted by UN General Assembly 31 Oct 2003 • entered into force, 14 Dec 2005 • to date (April 2009) signed by 140 countries, ratified by 132 State Parties • first global legally binding AC instrument: common standards for national policies, institutions, practices in areas of preventing corruption, criminalization and law enforcement.

7. Module 3 Why measure corruption? Mini-lecture UNCAC self-assessment • No definition of corruption; specific actions seen as corrupt everywhere • Mandatory criminalization: active bribery (Art.15), embezzlement (Art.16), misappropriation and diversion of property (Art.17), money laundering (Art.23) and obstruction of justice (Art.25) • Optional: Passive bribery of foreign public officials (Art.16), Trading in influence (Art.18), Abuse of function (Art. 19), Illicit enrichment (Art. 20), Bribery in the private sector (Art. 21), Embezzlement in the private sector (Art. 22)

8. Module 3 Why measure corruption? Mini-lecture UNCAC self-assessment • Conference of States Parties to the UNCAC (COSP)  the body mandated to decide the best means to review implementation of the Convention (A.63) • First session (December 2006, Jordan) States outlined key principles of a Review Mechanism: • Transparent, efficient • Non-intrusive, inclusive, impartial • Non-ranking • provides opportunities to share good practices and challenges • complements existing international and regional review mechanisms

9. Module 3 Why measure corruption? Mini-lecture UNCAC self-assessment • Civil society recommendations to the Review Mechanism, calling for active participation of non-state stakeholders • A.13 promotes civil society participation in AC efforts, should apply to monitoring and implementation • Possible methods for the Review Mechanism: • Self-assessment of all provisions in UNODC checklist • Review by expert group in dialogue with reviewed countries • Peer review • Country visits by experts

10. Module 3 Why measure corruption? Mini-lecture UNCAC self-assessment • It’s not a substitute for a country’s own internal monitoring • UNCAC acknowledges the need for capacity to assess corruption interventions. Mandates countries to undertake periodic evaluations of legal and administrative measures put in place to combat corruption (A.5; 3). • Related provisions (art. 61) also assert the need for technical assistance and information exchange in this area.

11. Module 3 Why measure corruption? Mini-lecture UNCAC self-assessment • Self-assessment Checklist, launched in 2007 • Format: Omnibus Survey Software • Now covers all substantive provisions of UNCAC and UN Convention on Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) • Checklist includes questions about: • Successful examples of implementation • Criteria for assessment • Needs for technical assistance

12. Module 3 Why measure corruption? Mini-lecture UNCAC self-assessment • Where to begin implementing UNCAC? • Temptation to undertake too many disconnected anti-corruption reforms at once, rather than prioritising and sequencing reforms as part of an overarching strategy. • Prior research can provide the evidence needed to make these strategic decisions • Many tools and instruments exist that can provide the more focused assessments and indicator sources to monitor specific sectors and institutions.

13. Module 3 Why measure corruption? Activity 3 Implications for national assessments • What corruption monitoring efforts have taken place or regularly take place in your country? What are their strengths and weaknesses? • To what extent are existing corruption research processes linked to an overarching strategy to combat corruption? • Do all corruption monitoring activities feed into UNCAC self-assessment in your country?