reducing corruption as a strategy in the drive for sustainable development

Reducing Corruption as a Strategy in the Drive for

Sustainable Development

Dr. Dan Mazmanian

Director, USC Judith and John Bedrosian

Center on Governance and the Public Enterprise

The Challenge

“Corruption indicators in Armenia are still higher than in other countries of Eastern Europe and the Baltic States.”

[IMF report, p. 11]

Strategies for Overcoming Corruption

In the Economic Sphere, through

• Transparency in business transactions• Adoption of international best-

management protocols, e.g., EU’s ISO14001

• Joint-venture with respected international companies

In Civil Society, through

• Fostering and protecting rights of free speech and free press

• Cultivation of civic engagement in school and at the community level

• Encouraging the participation of NGO’s in society

In Government, through

• Setting high standards of professional training and expectations of public officials

• Continuous international networking and participation in international professional societies

• Establishing clear performance goals for public agencies

• Providing greater transparency in government e.g., through expanded e-government “for the

provision of information and public services to the people” [UN e-gov policy goal, 2005]

• Balancing public administrative authority with parliamentary and judicial review and accountability