World Bank Anti-corruption effort

06/19/o6 11:45- 2:30

Speakers:
Daniel Kaufmann (Director of Global Programs and Governance, World Bank Institute)
Leticia Diaz (Chair, DC Executive Committee; National Association of Social Workers)
Jessica Hartl (Coordinator, Council of Organizations, UNA-USA)


This presentation highlighted the positive impact of democratic governance and the destructive impact of corruption within the framework of economic development. The premise of the presentation was that democratic governance can translate into positive economic development, yet economic development does not necessarily translate into positive democratic governance, as defined by qualities like transparency and free elections. Both civil society and economic development need to work hand in hand. The World Bank in its early stages did not include civil society factors as core to the mission of achieving development. Yet the Bank now focuses, along with other organizations, on achieving democratic governance-and development- through a myriad of ways: by promoting accountability, fighting corruption, building freedom of speech, encouraging human rights, and engaging the private sector.

Many countries in a matter of only a few years have achieved great development growths, including Eastern European countries who are awaiting accession into the EU. These countries have made a global commitment to achieve their development objectives through systematic democratic governance reforms. This push to fight corruption and achieve development is not only driven by UNDP and the World Bank, but also by the political will within the country itself.

While the speaker mentioned in the presentation that UNDP is more efficient than the World Bank in monitoring the progress of countries' development of civil society, all actors can become become agents of development by utilizing the expertise of UNDP in the field.

To learn more, visit the World Bank website to see a transcript of the presentation given.