Context

Through the adoption of the Inter-American Convention against Corruption in 1996, and the creation of its follow-up mechanism: the MESICIC, the OAS has played an important role in fostering a greater awareness of the problem of corruption throughout the Hemisphere and in the formulation of national plans and legislations to fight this phenomenon.

Similarly, considering that access to information is a cornerstone to any anti-corruption and transparency effort, the OAS political bodies have approved various documents and resolutions, encouraging an increased recognition, by countries in the Americas, of the importance of the right of citizens’ access to public information, particularly within the framework of democratic governance. This recognition has materialized with the adoption of national legislations on this issue by an increasing number of countries.

Activities

Despite advances that have been achieved, the magnitude and persistence of corruption in the countries of the Hemisphere and its impact on significant areas of society are compelling forces to strengthen the actions and willingness to promote transparency and integrity within State institutions. Consequently, as a complement to the advances made adopting national and international instruments and legislation in this field, the OAS General Secretariat, through its Department of State Modernization and Governance, has made efforts in promoting initiatives to work in cooperation with governments and public sector institutions of member countries with the aim of identifying strategies that allow for the implementation, in an effective manner, of corrective and preventive mechanisms against corruption.  In this manner, a contribution is made towards strengthening the instruments that form a part of the Inter-American system with respect to the fight against corruption.  

Taking this into consideration, the DMEG’s Section of Transparency and Governance has been working on a number of initiatives emphasizing the following aspects:

•  Attaining a wider and more comprehensive view with respect to the context of member countries in the prevention and fight against corruption and guaranteeing of the right of access to public information; and organizing and systematizing a significant array of information, knowledge and successful experiences on these issues.

•  Developing joint initiatives with national authorities, with the support of experts, to facilitate processes and offer methodologies and technical tools specialized for the implementation of norms and plans of action;

•  Encouraging a culture of integrity and transparency among citizens, public servants and State institutions through working groups, training programs, promotional campaigns, among other activities.

•  Fostering a stronger relationship with civil society representatives and organizations with the aim of incorporating their knowledge and experience in the work of the Section with respect to the above-mentioned issues, in addition to, being able to count on their support in the monitoring and follow-up processes posterior to the activities developed within this framework.