[IGFmaglist] Initial thoughts on a Best Practices Forum on Corruption

[Douglas Onyango]

Hi Michael,
I support the idea of a BPF on corruption and Internet Governance.

World Bank and IMF estimate that 2.6 trillion (5%) of the global economy is
lost to corruption. And that the cost of business is increased by 10%
because of corruption. It is odd that we haven't tackled it sooner, but
perhaps telling of how pandemic and sticky the issue is.

I look forward to seeing how this BPF  will evolve.

Regards,



On 6 April 2016 at 12:46, Michael R. Nelson <mnelson at pobox.com> wrote:

> I am very glad that some of the BPFs have wrapped up their work, enabling
> the MAG to explore new topics.
>
> As I said in my remarks this morning, I feel strongly that the IGF could
> make a major contribution in the area of corruption and Internet
> governance.  Of course, this is a very controversial topic and it will not
> be easy to get consensus on specific case studies to highlight and
> effective, concrete recommendations.  Despite that, it would be odd for the
> IGF to NOT explore this topic, especially in light of the recent release of
> the "Panama Papers," which will generate a great deal of attention to
> corruption in government and business in the months to come.
> Unfortunately, the ICT sector is an area that has seen a great deal of
> corrupt behavior that has hurt Internet users in both developed and
> developing countries around the world.
>
> There are at least two areas where a Best Practices Forum on corruption
> and Internet Governance could contribute in unique ways:
>
> 1) The Internet provides powerful ways to support the collection of data
> that can expose corruption. It enables more open government and the sharing
> of data on government procurement, policy decisions, and campaign
> contributions so journalists and individual citizens can identify and
> publicize Internet-related decisions that are influenced more by bribes
> rather than users' needs.  Furthermore, the Internet can empower
> whistleblowers within government and companies--but only if the Internet
> evolves in a way that protects the confidentiality of communications
> between whistleblowers, reporters and others. As an techno-optimist, I
> believe that the Internet can help ensure that corruption does not
> undermine the multistakeholder processes that have served the Internet so
> well.
>
> 2) Some of the most successful campaigns against corruption of government
> regulators (whether in the energy sector, the banking sector, the telecom
> sector, or elsewhere)--by groups such as Transparency International (
> http://www.transparency.org)--have relied heavily on the Internet.  The
> IGF and a Best Practices Forum could explore how to support and publicize
> such efforts.
>
> I was very glad to hear support from other MAG members for work in this
> area. As I said this morning, I am happy to step up and help lead this
> effort.
>
> Requests:
> 1) Please let me know if you are interested in helping with a BPF on
> corruption and Internet governance.
> 2) Please let me know if you know of experts or activists who would
> contribute to such a BPF.  I am already familiar with the work of
> Transparency International, Ewan Sutherland (http://www.3wan.net/3wan.html),
> and the B-20 working group on fighting corruption, of which I'm a member (
> http://b20turkey.org/anti-corruption/) but I know there is much more work
> being done in this critical area.
> 3) Please suggest how we might expand or better focus the scope of a
> corruption BPF.
>
> I look forward to continuing the discussion on this proposal.
>
> Recommended reading:
> "Thieves of State" Thieves of State - Sarah Chayes
> <http://www.thievesofstate.com/>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Thieves of State - Sarah Chayes <http://www.thievesofstate.com/>
> Home page for Sarah Chayes book Thieves of State, why corruption threatens
> global security
> View on www.thievesofstate.com <http://www.thievesofstate.com/>
> Preview by Yahoo
>
> How Reporters Pulled Off the Panama Papers, the Biggest Leak in
> Whistleblower History
> <http://www.wired.com/2016/04/reporters-pulled-off-panama-papers-biggest-leak-whistleblower-history/>
>
>
> [image: image]
> <http://www.wired.com/2016/04/reporters-pulled-off-panama-papers-biggest-leak-whistleblower-history/>
>
>
>
>
>
> How Reporters Pulled Off the Panama Papers, the Biggest ...
> <http://www.wired.com/2016/04/reporters-pulled-off-panama-papers-biggest-leak-whistleblower-history/>
> The 2.6 terabyte Panama Papers may be the first leak of their scale, but
> they won't be the last.
> View on www.wired.com
> <http://www.wired.com/2016/04/reporters-pulled-off-panama-papers-biggest-leak-whistleblower-history/>
> Preview by Yahoo
>
>
>
> MICHAEL R. NELSON
> Public Policy
> CloudFlare
> Washington, DC
> 703-598-5187 cell
> Twitter: @MikeNelson
>
>
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>
>


-- 
Douglas Onyango, PRINCE 2, ITILv3
UG: +256 776 716 138
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