Technology and anti-corruption / India RTI requests / COVID-19 aid missing

-

The role of technology and anti-corruption measures in fighting COVID-19 (Blog).  “The integrated approach adopted by the Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development in Singapore and the Global Anti-Corruption Programme seeks to leverage ‘technology for integrity, and integrity for technology’, and ensure that we increasingly see sustainable results from UNDP’s support to countries in facing the emerging challenges of today, focusing on governance, social protection, green economy and digital disruption.

Bradley Busetto and Anga Tamilsina/UNDP: https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/blog/2020/the-role-of-technology-and-anti-corruption-measures-in-fighting-.html  

 

Lack of transparency over Modi’s Covid-19 relief fund hurts Indian democracy (Opinion).  “Several information seekers, including me, have tried to use India’s Right to Information (RTI) Act, which facilitates access to government files and records, to find out more details about the fund. We have been blocked, with a number of requests for information turned down by Modi’s office on the grounds that the fund is a public charitable trust and not a “public authority” as defined under the RTI act.”

Vidya Venkat/Quartz India: https://qz.com/india/1902893/lack-of-transparency-in-modis-covid-19-pm-cares-fund-hurts-india/      

 

Citizens struggle as promised COVID-19 aid goes missing (Blog).  “Governments have pledged trillions of dollars in economic stimulus to help ease the hardship—but, in many places, corruption is preventing aid from reaching the people who need it most.”

Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/news/citizens-struggle-as-promised-covid-19-aid-goes-missing

Popular posts from this blog

The Pacific - Nepal - Eastern Europe & Central Asia

-
[Blog] How are perceptions of corruption in seven small Pacific countries? Larger Pacific Island neighbors are often garnering the lion's share of attention both from researchers and policy makers. How are the experiences of corruption in countries like Tuvalu, Tokelau, Niue, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), The Cook Islands, Palau, and Nauru? DevPolicy Blog: https://devpolicy.org/perceptions-of-corruption-in-seven-small-pacific-island-countries-20230223/   [Opinion] Two decades of new anti-corruption law in Nepal: Why it missed its mark. According to a Nepalese journalist, the Anti-Corruption law and Prevention of Corruption act of 2002 laid the foundation for numerous investigations, scandals, and court cases. To a large extent, they did however fail to enable significant conviction and return of assets. Online Khabar: https://english.onlinekhabar.com/anti-corruption-law-missing-target.html   [Blog] Growing security risks and authoritarian
Read more

Middle East & North Africa - Ukraine - Sri Lanka

-
Corruption fuels ongoing conflict. The Middle East and North Africa has been in a decline on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for years. The region is also ranked as the "least peaceful region" according to the Global Peace Index. Transparency International (TI) argues that corruption, conflict, and security are profoundly intertwined. TI: https://www.transparency.org/en/news/cpi-2022-middle-east-north-africa-corruption-fuels-ongoing-conflict   [Opinion] Ukraine's corruption purge is setting the stage for private investment-driven recovery. Corruption is regarded as a key threat to the Ukrainian economy, depriving public budgets and discouraging foreign direct investments (FDI). The current administration has taken strong anti-corruption action, and the country has witnessed a significant increase in FDI in recent years, says author. DevDiscourse: https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/2353089-ukraines-corruption-purge-setting-stage-
Read more

Global - Sub-Saharan Africa - Turkey & Syria

-
Invisible Trillions review: Global capitalism operates beyond the rule of law and threatens democracy. Raymond W. Baker's new book "Invisible Trillions" argues that "secrecy has become as important for corporations as transparent and taxable profits used to be". "Only radical improvements across the globe in financial transparency and accountability, and in regulatory capacity and integrity, can break this cycle of political decay and despair". The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/invisible-trillions-review-global-capitalism-operates-beyond-the-rule-of-law-and-threatens-democracy-199311   [Blog] The dynamics of violent extremism in sub-Saharan Africa. There is no better environment for the expansion of violent extremist groups than a vacuum in state authority. These groups begin to compete with the state and may even be initially attractive to communities weary of years of lawlessness, corruption, and chaos according to autho
Read more