THE NATIONAL INTEGRITY SYSTEM BUILDING AND SUSTAINING ETHICAL

THE NATIONAL INTEGRITY SYSTEM: BUILDING AND SUSTAINING ETHICAL AND EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT Jeremy Pope Co-Director, TIRI (the governance-access-learning network) TIRI the governance-access-learning network

Introducing the National Integrity System • Every society has one - whatever its condition. . . • The precise pillars may vary. . . • If power is concentrated, abuse will follow • Inter-relationships crucial -can be mapped • Concept facilitates coherent and monitored reforms • But what does the NIS look like…. . ?

The Concept of a National Integrity System SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT RULE OF LAW QUALITY OF LIFE PUBLIC AWARENESS S O C I E T Y’ S V A L U E S INTERNATIONAL ACTORS PRIVATE SECTOR CIVIL SOCIETY MEDIA PUBLIC SERVICE WATCHDOG AGENCIES OMBUDSMAN AUDITOR GENERAL JUDICIARY EXECUTIVE LEGISLATURE NATIONAL INTEGRITY

Pillars and Corresponding rules/practices - 1 • Executive = Conflict of interest rules • Legislature/Parliament = Fair elections • Public Accounts Committee (of legislature) =Power to question senior officials • Auditor General = Public reporting • Public service = Public service ethics

Pillars and Corresponding rules/practices - 2 • Judiciary = Independence • Media = Access to information • Civil society= Freedom of speech and assembly • Ombudsman =Records management • Anti-corruption / watchdog agencies =Enforceable and enforced laws

Pillar and Corresponding rules/practices - 3 • Private sector = Competition policy, including open public procurement rules • International community = Effective mutual legal/judicial assistance Interrelationships

“Horizontal Accountability” • Each must have sufficient strength and capacity • Each relates to others • Each is accountable to others • Each has elements of independence • If pillars fail to bear their load they increase the pressure on others…. • And then……………. ?

The Concept of a National Integrity System S INT EGR ITY Y T IE PUBLIC AWARENESS S O C I E T Y’ S V A L U E S RS O T O C RNA TIO N LA INT E CT ATE SE PRIV CIVIL R C SO MEDIA PUBLIC SERVICE AL WATCHDOG AGENCIES OMBUDSMAN AUDITOR GENERAL JUDICIARY EXECUTIVE LEGISLATURE ION RU OF LE LA W Y LIT QUA F O LIFE NAT US T DE AB AI VE LE NM L EN OP T -

Ethics the missing element • • The human element overlooked Donors focussed on laws, institutions “If men were angels…” Realisation that reform processes must be ethically-led • NIS coupled to an “Ethics Regime”

Institutional Integrity Systems • • Exist within the NIS The NIS cannot do it all… Holistic approach imperative Need to draw an institutional integrity system “map” • How might one look?

Possible System “pillars and practices” - 1 • • • Management (leading and listening) Integrity and risk strategies Internal inspection/audit Codes of conduct and enforcement Record management Internal complaints mechanisms Clear conflict of interest rules Procurement procedures External complaints Monitoring of stakeholder perceptions

Possible System “pillars and practices” - 2 • • • Staffing - merit selection/promotion Assets handling and disposal External Inspection (public audit) Transparent functioning Ethics training National Integrity system itself • Horizontal accountability present through complaints mechanisms available to staff and to external stakeholders