Presented at the dac heads of Information Conference 2006 on

• 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.

Bangladesh: Remarkable Social Progress

• 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

Corruption – the key problem

• 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

CORRUPTION: Bias against the poor

• 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.

Corruption: Preventing access to education

Corruption: Preventing access to health service

Corruption: Preventing law enforcement

Household Income lost to bribery

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.

The National Integrity System

• 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

i) Independent Anti-Corruption Institution, laws – effectiveness & enforcement

• 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

TI-Bangladesh: Creating Demand by Measuring Corruption – Does it Work?

• 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

• 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.

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

• 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.

In Lieu of a Conclusion

• 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.