transparency international bangladesh measuring corruption in bangladesh: can communication work?...

Transparency International Bangladesh

www.ti-bangladesh.org

Measuring Corruption in Bangladesh: Can Communication Work?

Iftekhar ZamanExecutive Director


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------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 ProgressBangladesh: 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 problemCorruption – 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 - 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 in Education: Ratio of Service Receipients Forced to Pay Bribe

54.1

21.8

35.5 32.5

for admission in school to be enlisted forstipend in primary level

to be enlisted forstipend in secondary

level

for actual disbursementof the stipend

Perc

enta

ge



Corruption: Preventing access to health service

Corruption in Health : Ratio of Service Receipients

Forced to Pay Bribe

54.8

29.3

for outdoor treatment for operation/x-ray/pathological test

Perc

enta

ge



Corruption: Preventing law enforcement

Corruption in Police: Ratio of Service Receipients Forced to Pay Bribe

77.7 79.2

60.6

for FIR/GD or any othercomplain

for police clearance to avoid arrest

Per

cent

age



Household Income lost to bribery

9.529

7.94

2.384

4.569

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Low Income (< Tk.72,000 per year)

Middle Income(72000-140,000)

High Income(140,000+)

Total

Pe

rce

nta

ge



FIGHTING CORRUPTIONFIGHTING 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 Systema) Parliament – Standing Committeesb) Central Role of the Executivec) Neutral and non-political public service commission

– Public Service Code of Ethics - Accountability, Rigorously practiced Conflict of Interest policy

d) Transparent & Competitive Public Procuremente) High Standards in Financial Managementf) Competitive and Socially Responsible Private

Corporate Sectorg) Independent Judiciaryh) Professional Law Enforcement Institutions - Policeh) The Auditor General



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

j) Empowered local government

k) Independent Election Commission capable of delivering free and fair election

l) An Independent and Free Media - Access to Information

m) 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?

• 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

• 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.

transparency international bangladesh measuring corruption in bangladesh: can communication work?...

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