Next Sunday, 7 August, sees the inauguration of the new government. We spoke with experts in the fight against corruption, transparency and open government during a Twitter Space to find out their opinions and predictions regarding the progress, setbacks and new challenges that might emerge during the transition from the Duque to the Petro government.
Our guests were Camilo Vallejo, Legal Editor of Cuestión Pública; Diana Dajer, Citizenship Manager at the Corona Foundation; and Gabriel Cifuentes, former Secretary of Transparency in the Government of Colombia. The activity was moderated by Adriana Romero, Director of Studies and Public Policy at the Anti-Corruption Institute.
The conversation focused on three main aspects: trust, citizenship and innovation. This is the summary of the discussion:
Trust
Advances:
- Improved levels of transparency (although much remains to be done).
- Creation of the National Integrity System (2020).
- Creation of integrity codes within some public entities.
- Creation of the Anti-Corruption Network (2019).
Setbacks:
- Response to incidences of corruption.
- Poor management of human talent in the public sector.
- Weak public participation.
- Opacity in political campaigns.
Challenges:
- Improve language and access to public information.
- Electoral system reform.
- Whistleblower protection roadmap.
- Effective ways to boost public participation.
Citizenship
Advances:
- CONPES 4070 on Open State (2021).
- Members of the public are increasingly aware of the problems associated with corruption.
Setbacks:
- The need to file protection writs in order to access public information.
- Lack of control over control entities.
- Political will of the Executive.
- The Transparency Secretariat being moved and assigned to the Vice Presidency.
Challenges:
- Demonstrating that denouncing corruption does bring benefits.
- Compensation for affected populations.
- The adoption of a territorial and gender based approach.
- Inclusive participatory budgets.
- Delivering what has been proised.
- Elimination of the Inspector General’s Office.
Innovation
Advances:
- Creation of Santander’s Transparency Committee.
- High-level control mechanisms in public procurement.
- Civil society’s own methodologies for access to information.
- Interdisciplinary approach in the fight against corruption.
- National Anti-Corruption Index (INAC).
Setbacks:
- Human capital and educational/awareness raising processes.
- Duplicity of functions and lack of articulation.
Challenges:
- Participatory budgets.
- Rethinking public oversight.
- Alliances between different stakeholders to ensure adequate surveillance.