TIRI the governance-access-learning network THE NATIONAL INTEGRITY SYSTEM: BUILDING AND SUSTAINING ETHICAL AND EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT Jeremy Pope Co-Director, TIRI (the governance-access-learning network) TIRI the governance-access-learning network

Introducing the National Integrity System Every society has one - whatever its condition... The precise pillars may vary... If power is concentrated, abuse will follow Inter-relationships crucial -can be mapped Concept facilitates coherent and monitored reforms But what does the NIS look like…..?

The Concept of a National Integrity System SUSTAIN- ABLE DEVELOP- MENT RULE OF LAW QUALITY OF LIFE N A T I O N A L I N T E G R I T Y LEGISLATURE EXECUTIVE JUDICIARY AUDITOR GENERAL OMBUDSMAN WATCHDOG AGENCIES PUBLIC SERVICE MEDIA CIVIL SOCIETY PRIVATE SECTOR INTERNATIONAL ACTORS P U B L I C A W A R E N E S S S O C I E T Y’ S V A L U E S

Pillars and Corresponding rules/practices - 1 Executive = Conflict of interest rules Legislature/Parliament = Fair elections Public Accounts Committee (of legislature) =Power to question senior officials Auditor General = Public reporting Public service = Public service ethics

Pillars and Corresponding rules/practices - 2 Judiciary = Independence Media = Access to information Civil society= Freedom of speech and assembly Ombudsman =Records management Anti-corruption / watchdog agencies =Enforceable and enforced laws

Pillar and Corresponding rules/practices - 3 Private sector = Competition policy, including open public procurement rules International community = Effective mutual legal/judicial assistance Inter-relationships

“Horizontal Accountability” Each must have sufficient strength and capacity Each relates to others Each is accountable to others Each has elements of independence If pillars fail to bear their load they increase the pressure on others…. And then…………….?

The Concept of a National Integrity System PRIVATE S O C I E T Y’ S V A L U E S P U B L I C A W A R E N E S S QUALITY LIFE OF RULE LAW AUDITOR GENERAL OMBUDSMAN WATCHDOG AGENCIES PUBLIC SERVICE LEGISLATURE EXECUTIVE JUDICIARY N A T I O N A L I N T E G R I T Y CIVIL SECTOR SOCIETY INTERNATION L ACTORS MEDIA SUSTAIN-ABLE DEVELOP-MENT

Ethics the missing element The human element overlooked Donors focussed on laws, institutions “If men were angels…” Realisation that reform processes must be ethically-led NIS coupled to an “Ethics Regime”

Institutional Integrity Systems Exist within the NIS The NIS cannot do it all… Holistic approach imperative Need to draw an institutional integrity system “map” How might one look?

Possible System “pillars and practices” - 1 Management (leading and listening) Integrity and risk strategies Internal inspection/audit Codes of conduct and enforcement Record management Internal complaints mechanisms Clear conflict of interest rules Procurement procedures External complaints Monitoring of stakeholder perceptions

Possible System “pillars and practices” - 2 Staffing - merit selection/promotion Assets handling and disposal External Inspection (public audit) Transparent functioning Ethics training National Integrity system itself Horizontal accountability present through complaints mechanisms available to staff and to external stakeholders