Aid in Action
National Integrity Action Forum Launched
Forum developed to support national anti-corruption efforts
Kingston, Jamaica |
Thursday, February 05, 2009
USAID/Jamaica
Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding delivers the keynote address at the launch of the National Integrity Action Forum. Seated are Dr. Karen Hilliard, USAID/Jamaica Mission Director, and Prof. Trevor Munroe of the Centre for Leadership and Governance at UWI, Mona and project director for the NIAF.
Prime Minster the Hon. Bruce Golding and other Government of Jamaica officials, leading media representatives and development partners participated in the launch of the National Integrity Action Forum (NIAF). The NIAF is USAID-sponsored initiative implemented by the Centre for Leadership and Governance at the University of the West Indies, Mona in Kingston. The Forum is designed to increase the effectiveness of Jamaica’s fight against corruption. The NIAF comprises key reform champions. It’s objectives include i) the development of protocols of ‘Jamaican best practices’ in combating corruption and in strengthening the National Integrity System; and ii) the planning and implementation effective outreach methods among key target audiences to raise awareness and garner support for ‘doing the right thing’ in Jamaica.
The Action Forum will bring together public officials and other key players in the country’s integrity system on a quarterly basis to identify and remove obstacles to closer collaboration in combating corruption. The project envisages outreach meetings with strategic groups in the Jamaican society and interaction with counter-part officials from the international community. It is anticipated that the National Integrity Action Forum will help catalyze action plans to more effectively engage the public in combating corruption and to more successfully bring corrupt officials to justice.
A 2008 public opinion poll indicated that corruption, second only to crime, was perceived as one of Jamaica’s most serious challenges. USAID seeks to continue supporting Jamaica’s bipartisan efforts to combat corruption. The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) recently launched its 1-800-CORRUPT hotline as one method to reduce corruption in law enforcement. USAID will continue to support the JCF’s efforts by financing the public outreach campaign for 1-800-CORRUPT as well as its ‘Culture Change’ program.