|
||||||||||
What's Being Done On . . .
|
||||||||||
 |
|
Main
Transparency and Accountability in Legislative and Governmental Institutions Corporate Governance Political Finance Access to Information Links to Other Resources 
Interview with Ernesto Villanueva, president of the Steering Committee of Libertad de Información-México A.C., and participant in the World Movement World Movement Participants Database - Search for more information about groups working on transparency and accountability. |
Projects and organizations, listed by region and country, are presented as illustrative examples that democracy activists, practitioners, and educators might consider as they develop their own initiatives.
Africa
Center for International Private Enterprise - Africa Regional
www.cipe.org/regional/africa/index.htm
The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) works to build democracy and market economies around the world and currently works with over 90 organizations in developing countries. In cooperation with the World Bank Global Forum on Corporate Governance and the Commonwealth Association for Corporate Governance, CIPE co-sponsored the second Pan African Consultative Forum on Corporate Governance in Nairobi, Kenya. The conference brought together 200 participants from across Africa as part of a broader program of networking and dialogue aimed at creating and supporting African solutions to African corporate governance challenges, including the issue of corporate governance in state-owned enterprises. The findings and recommendations fed into the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).
Private Enterprise Foundation - Ghana
www.pefghana.org
The Private Enterprise Foundation (PEF) is a non-political national organization for advocacy and the promotion of the private sector working towards comprehensive legislative review. The business community of Ghana, through PEF, has launched an initiative to review all key parliamentary bills that affect the private sector. PEF is working with its member associations to review draft legislation, analyze the issues, and craft professional policy position papers. Through this approach, PEF is contributing an informed analysis of the issues and offering suggestions for improvements in both the legal and regulatory framework that would result in workable transparent rules and regulations to ensure competition and fair practices in the business environment. By fostering greater stakeholder participation in the legislative process, PEF seeks to strengthen the democratic transition in Ghana.
Private Sector Corporate Governance Trust - Kenya
www.corporategovernance.co.ke
The Private Sector Corporate Governance Trust (PSCGT) is a non-commercial Trust established to promote corporate governance to achieve sustainable wealth creation, increased employment opportunities, and enhanced quality of life for the people of Kenya. Through a program, Private Sector Initiative, PSCGT has published and distributed a voluntary code of "best business practice for corporate governance," which has been adopted by business associations and the Capital Markets Authority. PSCGT promotes "self-regulatory" governance practices through training and education, research and development, monitoring and evaluation, and advocacy and communication in an effort to mobilize the community to demand good corporate governance. By participating in the Trust's activities, shareholders learn how to defend their rights. The public also becomes aware of the need for effective corporate governance policies and practices.
Asia - Pacific
Institute for the Study and Advancement of Business Ethics - Indonesia
Contact: Fachry Ali, Director, lspeui@indosat.net.id
The Institute for the Study and Advancement of Business Ethics (Lspeu) is a private, non-profit organization located in Jakarta dedicated to public education and advocacy on issues related to business ethics, economic liberalization, political accountability, and corporate governance reform. Lspeu publishes Jurnal Reformasi Ekonomi on corporate governance and recently organized two workshops to collect empirical examples of how political changes influence market forces as well as how market forces influence the political structure. Through the publications and workshops, Lepeu seeks to form a public consensus on the current state of democracy in Indonesia and what direction must be taken to pave the way toward a more democratic system with the goal of the public gaining access to information regarding public policy in Indonesia.
Central and Eastern Europe
Corporate Governance Initiative - Bulgaria
www.csd.bg/cgi/
The Corporate Governance Initiative, a coalition of Bulgarian nongovernmental organizations, seeks to facilitate the adoption of relevant corporate governance standards and procedures that would ensure accountability, transparency, and control in the economy in Bulgaria and Central and Eastern Europe. It was established in early 1999 by the Association of Industrial Capital, the Association of Voluntary Pension Funds, the Center for Economic Development, the Center for the Study of Democracy, Investors' Union, and the Securities Holders Association. The Initiative has developed policy measures and adopted a relevant policy agenda for corporate governance development on a broader regional level within the context of transition to democracy. Through country assessments, policy formulation, and wide dissemination and advocacy, the Initiative assists the elaboration and the implementation of practical and policy instruments that would ensure accountability, transparency, and sound business practice in transition economies. Through the conferences and workshops, it also facilitates policy dialogue between private and public sector institutions, introducing corporate governance structures and procedures in Central and Eastern Europe.
Private Entrepreneurs Confederation of Timis County - Romania
www.cipe.org/programs/global/partners/program2815.htm
To provide a framework of corporate governance as an efficient tool for Romanian companies, the Private Entrepreneurs Confederation of Timis County (PECT) advocates ethical business policies and practices. PECT acts as a nonpartisan voice working to extend business and leadership skills to foster reform within Romania. In cooperation with the Strategic Alliance of Business Associations, PECT organizes a Corporate Governance National Task Force, training events, public hearings, and a national conference. Through these activities, PECT strengthens the active participation of business leaders and public policy activists in the development of a sound business environment and transparency throughout Romania that will enhance democratic development in this emerging market economy.
Latin America
Colombian Confederation of Chambers of Commerce - Colombia
www.confecamaras.org.co
The Colombian Confederation of Chambers of Commerce (Confecámaras) seeks to achieve cooperation between the public and private sectors. It is the national representative body of 57 Chambers of Commerce in Colombia promoting entrepreneurial development, representing interests of its Chamber members in national and international arenas, and together with its members promotes public activities that foster socioeconomic development. Confecámaras works with members of the public and private sectors and civil society to reform key pieces of legislation, hosts workshops, and disseminates the declaration of corporate governance principles. An educational Web site has been launched to foster discussion fora and bulletins on corporate governance issues so that weaknesses can be addressed by civil society and made known to the public sector. Working to combat corruption from a business perspective and working closely with the Corona Foundation, Confecámaras is developing its Probidad ethics program by addressing the supply side of corruption.
Middle East
Al Urdun Al Jadid Research Center - Jordan
www.ujrc-jordan.org
On July 8, 2003, Al Urdun Al Jadid Research Center, in cooperation with the World Bank's Global Corporate Governance Forum (GCGF) and the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), organized a high-level focus group discussion on the state of corporate governance in Jordan. This focus group discussion is part of a regional initiative to engage the Middle East and North Africa in an ongoing debate on global corporate governance practices. A series of focus group discussions were held in Egypt, Morocco, Lebanon, and Jordan with key business players. The results of the country-specific focus group discussions were highlighted in regional working group meeting held in Cairo on September 7, 2003. The regional working group discussed regional trends and outlined next steps to promote corporate governance. The discussions in the regional working group will be presented in a global conference on corporate governance to take place in Paris on November 3-4, 2003.
New Independent States
Entrepreneurship Development Foundation - Azerbaijan
Contact: Sabit Bagirov, President, far@monitor.baku.az
The Entrepreneurship Development Foundation (EDF) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization in Baku, Azerbaijan, to ensure the free flow of information so that economic and democratic development are not subverted by those with inside knowledge. EDF publishes 12 bulletins in the Azerbaijanian language entitled Reforms in Azerbaijan. The focus of the bulletins is on current legislation being proposed to the Parliament on issues relating to economic reform policy along with a monthly anti-corruption watch. In addition, EDF has recently organized an intensive one-week training effort for 30 senior staff of voluntary business associations on key topics, such as public policy advocacy and the role of business associations in democratic development.
International Business School - Kazakhstan
Contact: Zarina F. Arslanova, Director General, Zarina@ibs.iatp.kz
The International Business School (IBS) was founded in 1992 as an independent self-financing, non-profit business school with the prime objective of acceleration of economic reforms in Kazakhstan. Under a project entitled "Building the Grass Roots Foundation of Corporate Governance in Kazakhstan," IBS facilitates public education among a coalition of NGOs and businesses on the need for corporate governance. Another IBS project, "Creating the Demand for Corporate Governance in Kazakhstan," includes interviews with representatives of companies and reviewing and analyzing existing laws. IBS also produces a monthly Corporate Governance Bulletin and holds roundtables for IBS and community members to develop voluntary principles of corporate governance with a focus on disclosure/transparency and rights of shareholders.
Institute of Stock Market and Management - Russia
Contact: Igor Belikov, General Director, belikov@ismm.ru
The Institute of Stock Market and Management (ISMM) is a non-profit and nongovernmental entity whose main mission is to help Russian companies and their managers with the transition from a command economy of the Soviet Union to the global marketplace of the new Russia through independent research and training. ISMM carries out corporate governance training and develops training materials. The training aims to educate corporate directors on fundamental corporate governance principles.
Investor Protection Association - Russia
www.corp-gov.org/association/association.php3
The Investor Protection Association (IPA) is a non-commercial organization with the purpose of uniting investors' efforts to protect their rights and improve corporate governance. IPA's members include domestic and international investors with sizable investments and considerable experience in the Russian market. IPA's recent projects have included the launching of a Web site dedicated to providing objective information and impartial views on corporate governance and shareholder protection. The Association has also recently launched an online interactive forum to foster public discussion on key corporate governance information.
About "What's Being Done On . . . "
For three months at a time, we highlight the activities of various organizations in different global regions, and links to important resources, that are focused on a particular theme or area of democracy work. Each new theme is announced via DemocracyNews, and the information from the previous installment is placed in the archives below. We hope to receive and post information about the work you or others may be doing that is focused on these issues. Send information via e-mail to the or by fax to (202) 378-9890.
||
|| Site map ||