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Building the World Movement for DemocracyInaugural World AssemblyFebruary 14-17, 1999 New Delhi, India Transparency & Accountability: Fighting Corruption Workshop Leaders: Peter Eigen and John Brademas Condensed from report by Peter Eigen The panel referred to the numerous statements during this conference, by speakers from all parts of the world and from all sections of society, about the all-pervasiveness of corruption, and the devastating impact it has had on democracy and economic development. Corruption is everywhere and the poorest people of the world suffer the most. One positive development, however, is the overwhelming consensus of society, in government, civil society and the private sector, that has evolved in recent years that something has to be done to control corruption. A tangible illustration of this is the rapid development of Transparency International (TI), which has more than 70 national chapters around the world, including a strong chapter in India (Lok Sevak Sangh). Its basic approach is:
Speakers gave an impressive manifestation of the interaction of state, business and civil society that is required to deal effectively with corruption. Soli Sorabjee, Attorney General of India, gave an overview of the laws and institutions in place to control corruption, and Justice Reddy, Chairman of the Law Commission of India, mentioned recent initiatives to attach the assets of public servants that are disproportionate to their earnings. Both appealed to civil society to support this effort by building a stronger awareness and social sanctions against corrupt persons. Subodh Bhargava, CEO of a private corporation, presented a business perspective of corruption, its underlying reasons (over regulation and government intervention), and the reforms of corporate governance that can assist in increasing transparency and integrity. He asked the provocative question: whether tinkering with various elements of a system would be sufficient, or if a grand move for a totally new beginning would be required to rid a system of corruption. S.D. Sharma, Working Chairman of Lok Sevak Sangh (the National Chapter of TI in India), listed a number of specific demands presented and action programs that his movement had undertaken, including the threat of hunger strike, in case a pending bill to create the office of an Ombudsman was not swiftly presented to parliament. John Brademas, Chairman of NED, gave a vivid account of corruption from a United States perspective. He listed recent examples of corruption in many parts of the world and their destructive impact. He also pointed to institutional and systematic remedies against corruption. The discussion centered largely on a widespread fear that even the best legal instruments were useless if they were not properly applied. There was evidence that cases of effective punishment were rare, that important legislative action had been stalled, that institutions could not be trusted to play their assigned roles; this included references to the spotty history of the US Congress to enforce a coherently fair line vis-à-vis corrupt dictators. 
Proposed initiatives:
A coalition approach of three independent partners--government, business and civil society--is needed to: problems It was hoped that this conference would reinforce this coalition, both within various societies and in the international arena. 
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