Strengthening integrity in the public sector

Strengthening Integrity in The Public Sector 11/11/2011 Advanced Training on Prevention of Corruption Systems and Methodologies , Vienna Public Sector Ethics and Conflicts of Interest Management.

The Goal of this session
At the end of this session, we would have:
Reviewed key aspects of advanced ethic codes and conflict of interest regulations
Discussed of what CoI is and of the institutional arrangements for preventing and managing CoI regimes and for promoting public ethics;
Discussed possible approaches for preparing, consulting and issuing policy guidance and carrying out specific administrative investigations on cases of alleged/suspected misconduct (undisclosed CoI).
11/11/2011 Advanced Training on Prevention of Corruption Systems and Methodologies , Vienna

11/11/2011 Advanced Training on Prevention of Corruption Systems and Methodologies , Vienna Scope of regulation Administrative capacity State Regulation, Administrative Capacity, Corruption USA, UK, NZ Former Communist Failed States Totalitarian Low corruption levels High corruption levels Fukuyama, 2005 Scandinavian Our Country

Issues to Keep in Mind:
Corruption is a symptom of dysfunctional institutions – strengthen the institutions in every possible aspect. The State is important!
Public trust is a most important element of the social capital. Corruption destroys trust – and it is its main damaging effect.
Mistrust generates corruption; it is a self-reinforcing process.
Perceptions are reality – address them!
Conflicts of interest may not be corruption, but they are equally detrimental to public trust. They can not be prevented; but they must be properly managed.

11/11/2011 Advanced Training on Prevention of Corruption Systems and Methodologies , Vienna Challenges For The Public Service (Pro-integrity) Reform
Strengthening the administrative capacity of the institutions.
Ability to formulate policy
Ability to implement policy
Ability to monitor and evaluate policy
Ability to learn and improve
Deregulation of the economic activity
Devolution of powers, client-oriented approach, outsourcing
Delegation and decentralization
The role of the Public Sector Ethics

The Problem:
Drive for more effective, cheaper and client oriented Government requires new approached; often “NPM” style reforms are introduced, but…
The changes in the way Public Service operates has destroyed many traditions and has challenged traditional ethics in the organization
In the absence of a strong culture of shared values and integrity it is the road to disaster.
Is more control and accountability the answer?

11/11/2011 Advanced Training on Prevention of Corruption Systems and Methodologies , Vienna Accountability and Control
Accountability – to give account to someone, and to be held accountable (usually understood as punishment). Closely associated with reporting and control.
Just how much could we invest in control?
The price of accountability

Accountability and control 11/11/2011 Advanced Training on Prevention of Corruption Systems and Methodologies , Vienna Effectiveness Control

Choose any three… 11/11/2011 Advanced Training on Prevention of Corruption Systems and Methodologies , Vienna Quick Cheap Quality

Ethic – Definition (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation
a set of moral principles
a theory or system of moral values
the principles of conduct governing an individual or a group “professional ethics”
guiding philosophy
a consciousness of moral importance
a set of moral issues or aspects (as rightness)

Some options from OECD 11/11/2011 Advanced Training on Prevention of Corruption Systems and Methodologies , Vienna Source: Puma Policy Brief, “Managing Government Ethics”, OECD

Public Servants and Public Office Holders: the differences
Policy and Administration
Transparency and public scrutiny
Political neutrality issues
Conflict of interest issues
Different tools (codes, laws) and hence – different consequences

Professional Ethics
Ethics and codes of ethics
The Rules of the Game
(Almost) nothing to do with morality
NOT a personal issue
Sanctions & enforcement
Ethics training
Ethical competence is a skill
Skills could be taught
Recognition, decision making, reasoning
It is all about the “role”

The case of the Ambulance Officer
Where should the loyalty go?
Who do we serve?
What are the public expectations?
Public office is public trust!

11/11/2011 Advanced Training on Prevention of Corruption Systems and Methodologies , Vienna Ethical Competence… No Code will be of any practical value if you do not recognise an ethics problem when you see it - recognition competence Deciding what to do depends upon what you construe as ‘the ethics problem’, and ‘the most important value(s)’ – judgment competence EC includes justification competence : giving relevant reasons for decisions, to various audiences - this relies on ‘(moral) reasoning’ competence

“ Ethics Infrastructure”
political commitment;
effective legal framework;
eff ective accountability mechanisms;
w ork ing codes of conduct;
professional socialisation mechanisms (training);
supportive public service conditions;
existence of an ethics co-ordinating body;
active civic society (including a probing media) playing the role of watchdog over the actions of public officials.
(Source: OECD, 1996)

Declaration of Assets
Specific case
Less protection of privacy for public office holders then public servants
Declare when elected/appointed and annually
Right to access
WWW

Thank you!
Constantine Palicarsky
[email_address]

Strengthening integrity in the public sector

by UNDP in Europe and CIS

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