Transparency International Quarterly Bulletin Fijitransparencyfiji.org/docs/Bulletin - Jun 2011.pdfSatish Kumar Associate Member: Varanisese B Semili Naikatini Viniana Dobui Keleni

1

Quarterly Bulletin

www.transparencyf i j i .org

TI FIJI is gearing up to

bolster its commitments

under the Open Budget

Initiative programme.

So far this year, it has

participated in two Citizen’s

Constitutional Forum

Grassroots Budget workshops

in Tailevu and Bua.

TI Fiji Programme Officer,

Unaisi Valenitabua, has been

making presentations at these

workshops on the need to

ensure that Fiji’s national

budget, budget processes

including formulation and

implementation are

transparent and accountable,

and discussing the roles that

citizens can play in

participating in the budget

process and holding leaders

accountable for both their

decisions and actions.

Speaking at the workshop,

Assistant Roko Tui Tailevu,

Veresa Dakunitoga, said rural

communities badly needed

information on the budget and

its processes.

He said empowering

communities through

workshops and trainings was

one of the ways CSOs could

ensure that they contribute

effectively to development and

encourage active participation

from amongst the public.

The Grassroots Budget

workshop is an undertaking

under the Open Budget

Initiative which is a global

research and advocacy

program targeted at

promoting public access to

budget information and the

adoption of accountable

budget systems.

OBI collaborates with civil

society organizations

worldwide and in Fiji, TI and

CCF have collaborated to

ensure that citizens are

made aware of Government’s

budget processes and acquire

the necessary knowledge and

skills for holding leaders

accountable.

The OB Survey is the only

independent, comparative

and regular measure of

budget transparency and

accountability around the

world. The scores for 92

questions from the Survey

are used to compile objective

scores and rankings of the

relative transparency of each

country’s budget process.

These scores constitute the

Open Budget Index.

Fiji’s OBI 2010 survey conducted

by FSPI, scored zero out of

100,which means that Fiji did

not provide the public with

information on the central

government’s budget and

financial activities assessed by

the Survey.

Compared to our Asia and

Pacific neighbours, China 13,

NZ 90, PNG 57, South Korea

71, Indonesia 51, Malaysia 39,

Fiji’s OBI score was a poor one.

Fiji’s OBI score decreased from

2008 to 2010, falling from 13 to

0 largely because Fiji no longer

publishes its Pre-Budget

Statement, Year-End Report,

or Audit Report. TI Fiji plans

to work closely with the

finance ministry to look at

ways of improving the 2010

OBI rating and empowering

communities with essential

information on the national

budget process.

April 2011—June 2011 Issue

Transparency International

Fiji

“Say Yes to Integrity and No to Corruption”

Apr i l—June Issue plus ALAC SPOTLIGHT 10Pages

A big Bula, Namaste and

Welcome to all mem-

bers, friends and sup-

porters of TI Fiji.

This issue takes a look at

our activities , events

and engagements over

the past three months.

Secretariat staff and

Board members have

been busy with a lot of

exciting activities and

new developments this

quarter. We want to

share our stories with

you.

Cheers and Enjoy Read-

ing!

IN THIS ISSUE

Coffee and Cookie Morning

PAGE 2

AGM 2011

PAGE 3

NGO Roundtable Meeting

PAGE 4

North Membership Drive

PAGE 5

Media Outreach Initiatives

PAGE 6

World Of Difference

PAGE 7

ALAC Statistics

PAGE 8&9

ALAC Update

PAGE 10

BUDGET TRANSPARENCY AND

ACCOUNTABILITY TRAINING

Workshop participants prioritise the range of

problems faced in their communities.

2

WHAT started as a creative way of

promoting TI Fiji’s work amongst the

Fiji public is now slowly building mo-

mentum.

The “Coffee and Cookie Morning” pro-

gramme, which features a short infor-

mation sharing session over a quick

stuffing of locally produced cookies

and hot coffee, was conceptualized to

help create awareness on TI Fiji and

its work using a talanoa twist.

“There’s a fun element to the pro-

gramme to create an informal learn-

ing environment where people can

learn and talk as much as possible in

a rather relaxed and unrestrained

atmosphere,” says John Kamea, TI

Fiji’s Communications Officer.

“People learn differently so the C&C

morning is designed to give the learn-

ing experience a bit of a spice. So far,

the response and feedback have been

overwhelming.”

For the programme, one office in

Suva’s Central Business District is

selected and visited in a week. The

staff of TIF takes cookies and coffee to

share with the designated office dur-

ing the 45-minute to 1-hour im-

promptu presentation which takes the

audience through the world and work-

ings of TI Fiji, and the programmes it

runs.

During the inaugural C&C session

held at St Nicholas House in Suva on

May 30, 2011, the Head of the Catho-

lic Church in Fiji, Archbishop Petero

Mataca, expressed his gratitude to TI

Fiji for organizing the event and for

being willing enough to share informa-

tion with his staff saying “this was a

good start”.

Director of Catholic Education, Reme-

sio Rogovakalali, said TI Fiji’s C&C

programme was timely and much ap-

preciated by the Church.

Speaking at the third C&C Morning

held at the Fiji Teach-

ers Union Headquar-

ters, Board Director,

Apisalome Tudreu,

said teachers and in-

stitutions like the

FTU were strategi-

cally placed to influ-

ence the mentality

and perceptions of

youth on corruption

and the emphasis on

values of integrity,

transparency and ac-

countability.

The C&C programme

hopes to reach most

offices in Suva.

Feedback from the

C&C sessions at

FRIEND and the Fiji

Teachers Union was

overwhelming indeed

and TI Fiji has been

able to network and

discuss possible ways

of collaborating in

future.

The meeting at FTU discussed possi-

ble civic education entry points in

the school curriculum and special

training for FTU teachers by work-

ing in partnership with the Ministry

of Education.

FTU General Secretary, Agnio Deo

Singh, said such a programme was

empowering and engaging in nature.

Say YES to Integrity and NO to Corruption!

Sharing Information over “Coffee and Cookies”

Governance and Corruption Paper Features at FIA

www.transparencyfi j i . org

C&C Morning at the FRIEND Office in Suva.

Information sharing during C&C Morning.

BOARD Director, Suliana Siwatibau,

presented a paper on Governance and

Corruption at the Fiji Institute of Ac-

countants Annual Congress on June 11,

2011.

The paper focused on governance,

corruption and the links between the

two with respect to Fiji’s experience. Mrs Siwatibau pointed out that Fiji

should be concerned about corruption

because it has affected citizens and

hampered development.

“We in Fiji have had direct experience

with corruption, both small and grand

on our scale. Corruption has robbed us

of development and has undermined our

well constructed governance system,”

she said.

She highlighted the various tools and

reports that have indicated that corrup-

tion in Fiji was a cause for concern,

highlighting the results of the Global

Corruption Barometer, Corruption Per-

ceptions Index and the Open Budget

Index, among others.

“It is widely acknowledged that poor

governance encourages corruption

while corruption weakens the per-

formance and integrity of governance.

Both have direct negative impact on a

nation’s development and prosperity.

Extensive research shows that foreign

investment is lower in countries per-

ceived to be corrupt, which further

thwarts their chance to prosper,” she

said.

Experience worldwide shows that

good clean governance is a necessary

basis for sustainable prosperity for

all. In closing, Mrs Siwatibau chal-

lenged citizens, government and

stakeholders alike to take up the fight

against corruption.

“We at TI Fiji invites each of you con-

cerned for the human and natural

welfare of this country, to consider

taking up the fight against corruption

and the promotion of good transpar-

ent governance.”

More on “Have Your Say” -Page 10.

3

THE implementation of

programmes in the 2010

Financial Year has been

described a success.

This was heard during

the 2011 AGM held in

Suva in May.

Executive Officer, Koila

Kabu, while reflecting on

the past year said that

while it was full of highs

and lows, programme

implementation was suc-

cessful overall.

Ms Kabu said the sus-

tainability of TI Fiji pro-

grammes was always a

challenge and so was

funding.

She said the challenge

for the organization in

2011 was to be self-

sufficient and sustain-

able.

NICE Project

A total of 8600 citizens,

many of them youth,

were reached in over 220

civic education sessions

held around the country.

The programme has been

completed.

OBI Programme

TI Fiji collaborated with

the Citizen’s Constitu-

tional Forum in imple-

menting workshops un-

der the Open Budget

Initiative Programme.

Communities will now

understand their roles in

holding Government ac-

countable to ensure that

its budget processes, in-

cluding its formulation,

adoption and implemen-

tation follow strict trans-

parency and accountabil-

ity guidelines.

ALAC

The Advocacy and Legal

Advice Centre recorded

good results in the year.

Members heard that a

total of 93 cases were

opened by ALAC since

inception, from 450 ini-

tial contacts.

Of the 93 files opened, 34

were closed and marked

successful while four cli-

ents withdrew.

TI Fiji would like to welcome and

introduce new members who joined

the TI family this quarter.

They are: Civil Society Member:

Foundation For Rural Integrated En-

terprises ‘N’ Development (FRIEND)

Individual Member:

Jone Tuiipelehaki

Dr Liquat Khan

Satish Kumar

Associate Member:

Varanisese B

Semili Naikatini

Viniana Dobui

Keleni Nicholls

Romulo Nayacalevu

Romitesh Kant

AGM 2011

A Look Back at 2010 Programmes



Welcome Our Newest

Family Members!!

TI FIJI Chair, Dave Aidney, has chal-

lenged members to work together in

bolstering and reinforcing the organisa-

tion’s efforts in fighting corruption.

Mr Aidney threw the challenge during

TI Fiji’s Annual General Meeting, held

at the Reserve Bank of Fiji’s Tower 11

conference room on May 18, 2011.

He said that while TI Fiji was able to

work with limited resources to give

satisfactory results in the 2010 finan-

cial year, continued support from mem-

bers was needed, especially in the area

of strong partnerships and assistance,

to ensure that TI Fiji continues imple-

menting its activities and delivering

results for the Fiji public.

The AGM was a success, judging from

the level of participation and interest

received from members and the over-

whelming feedback after the meeting.

It provided an opportunity to look at TI

Fiji’s financial and programme reports,

and discuss the organisation’s planned

activities for 2011.Board directors, Mrs

Suliana Siwatibau and Professor Ra-

jesh Chandra, were re-elected for an-

other term, while Mr Satish Kumar,

was nominated to join the Board in

2011.

THE slight Saturday morning drizzle

failed to dampen spirits of enthusiasts

who took part in the 2011 Olympic Day

Fun Run held on Saturday, 25 June,

starting from the tfl National Stadium

in Laucala Bay, Suva.

Among those who took part were mem-

bers and supporters of TI Fiji, from

Williams and Goslings limited who

braved June’s chilly weather to help

raise funds for charity.

The group, including Mr and Mrs Aid-

ney, was outfitted with TI Fiji T-shirts

themed with “Yes to Integrity and No

to Corruption”.

Thank you for participating!

The smiles say it all….Williams and Gosling Limited staff and TI Fiji supporters share a light moment at the Olympic Day Fun Run held in Suva on June 25, 2011.

TI Fiji Members Take Part in Fun Run

4

A CIVIL Society Organisation

Talk programme, another innova-

tive outreach initiative by TI Fiji,

will be completed in upcoming

weeks.

Plans on the CSO Talk began in

mid June with the aim of creating

awareness on corruption and en-

hancing networks among civil so-

ciety.

Furthermore, it hopes to act as a

way of increasing CSO member-

ship in TI Fiji, share success sto-

ries and discuss ways of enhanc-

ing existing collaborative efforts

between CSOs.

The programme will focus on the

topic “ Poverty and Corruption”

and will be conducted by Director,

Suliana Siwatibau.

“Poverty and Corruption” looks at

corruption as a major cause of

poverty and a barrier to develop-

ment.

It will look at how corruption

weakens the economy, tempers

with governance systems, has so-

cial implications, gradually leads

to cultural integration, exacer-

bates poverty and has serious im-

pacts on leadership and the envi-

ronment.

It further looks at the types of

corruption in Fiji and the various

tools and surveys that have pro-

vided an analysis of the existence

and extent of corruption in the

country and its effects on citizens.

Experts conservatively estimate

that bribery worldwide is valued at

around US$1 trillion annually.

This does not include embezzle-

ment, misuse of public assets and

other forms of corruption.

Fighting corruption needs a bold

effort from all sectors of society

and the CSO Talk programme

hopes to around interest from or-

ganisations and their leaders.

THE secretariat staff of TI Fiji now have a weekly social programme called “Staff Mix”. Held at the office premises from 3.30pm –4.30pm every Friday, the programme was initiated to provide space and time for staff to interact with each other on a personal and social level away from the rigidity and intensity of everyday work. Moreover, it has made opportunities for staff to socialize amongst each

other and also engage in activities

that will boost team spirit and team

building.

Each staff mix features a central

theme and an activity that will con-

tribute to everyday work pro-

gramme. So far, the Staff Mix has

resulted in the conceptualisation of

IEC materials on the A-Z of corrup-

tion, which will be used in future

trainings and workshops.

fers free legal advice to victims and witnesses of corruption. In its fourth week, the cases have at-tracted a lot of attention from readers, leading to a noticeable rise in ALAC initial contacts and general enquiries. It is envisaged that through the se-ries, citizens may be aware of corrup-tion around them and encouraged to come forward and report on cases of corruption they may have witnessed or been a victim of. To know more check out Friday’s Fiji Times.

IN collaboration with the Fiji Times, TI Fiji’s Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre now features a weekly col-umn in the local daily. The newspaper feature will be based on the types of cases dealt with by the Centre at its 72 Pratt Street of-fice in Suva. The partnership provides local read-ers with real insights into the world of corruption and how citizens are unfairly treated by corrupt individu-als and practices. The ALAC is a programme that of-

Talk Programme For CSO Leaders


Say YES to Integri ty and NO to Corruption!

NEW!! Fiji Times Weekly Series

Creativity, Fun and Flair Spice Up Weekly Social Programme

Daily News on FB

TI FIJI continues to feature promi-

nently on Facebook.

Daily corruption stories from around

the world are uploaded on the page

on a daily basis to give visitors and

friends an insight into the insidious

world of corruption and its negative

effects.

Being on Facebook connects TI Fiji

with the public and the outside

world. It provides us with the oppor-

tunity to tell our stories.

FNPF Symposium

BOARD director, Rosie Langi,

made a presentation at the Fiji

National Provident Fund Sympo-

sium on the review of the FNPF

Act Scheme on May 13.

Ms Langi spoke on the topic

“Transparency and Accountability”

in which she discussed, among oth-

ers, corruption and fraud in finan-

cial systems, why they may persist

and means of addressing them.

The TI Fiji presentation impacted

on deliberations made during the

2-day meet by giving insights into

the need to ensure transparency

and accountability in the formula-

tion and implementation of finan-

cial policies as a way of averting

corruption and malpractice.

With the theme, “Sustainable,

Transparent. Fair” the symposium

was aimed at undertaking a holis-

tic review of the FNPF Act and to

establish a comprehensive regime

to ensure sustainability, transpar-

ency and fairness.

“Staff Mix” in progress

5

YOUTH PROFESSIONALS JOIN CORRUPTION FIGHT

TRANSPARENCY International Fiji’s

youth roundtable held in May was a

success.

And as a result, six of the nine who

were invited to the event, joined as TI

Fiji members and have all expressed

their zeal and interest in participating

in anti-corruption activities and sup-

porting the fight against corruption.

On March 12, TI Fiji organized a youth

roundtable attended by invited youth

professionals from diverse career fields

such as law, governance & politics, tour-

ism and commerce.

The event was held at JJ’s On The Park

and featured a short power point pres-

entation on TI Fiji's work in Fiji and a

slide show of activities implemented in

the past year. The 2-hour programme

ended with a Question and Answer ses-

sion, discussions and light refreshment.

One of the recommendations raised at

the meeting was the need to set up a

youth advisory committee or think tank,

to give guidance and advice to TI Fiji as

it implements its youth activities.

This was suggested as a way of provid-

ing an oversight mechanism for the

youth programme.

The new group of young members, to-

gether with exiting youth members and

volunteers will strengthen current TI

Fiji efforts in fighting corruption and

promoting the values of integrity, trans-

parency and accountability.

TI Fiji believes in the potential that

youths have in

moving forward

initiatives tar-

geted at address-

ing corruption

and its adverse

effects and creat-

ing awareness

amongst the pub-

lic, on the need

to fight it.

As citizens and

future leaders,

their talents and

experiences,

need to be har-

nessed well so

that they become

active agents of

change in society

and champions

of the fight

against corruption and its crippling

events.

For 2011, TI Fiji plans to bolster its

youth wing with a robust youth pro-

gramme and involve members in a

range of activities as a means of keep-

ing them interested.



Youth professionals at the roundtable meeting.

INVOLVEMENT IN NORTH DEVELOPMENT IMMINENT FOR TI FIJI

TI FIJI continued its Membership Drive this quarter, with

the latest one being held in Labasa, in the northern division.

Though the northern MD had an initial focus on sugar-

producing town of Labasa, there are hopes of having one in

Savusavu , in the province of Cakaudrove.

In the Labasa event, held on April 12, seven potential mem-

bers from the private sector, government departments, inter-

ested individuals and academics were invited.

The aim of the northern MD was to generate interest amongst

targeted people in Labasa, enhancing networking and create

awareness on corruption.

As a result of the Labasa visit, a team was set up to look into

how TI Fiji could contribute to knowledge enhancement for an

improvement in citizens’ access to public services, the access

to information by citizens, better processing of complaints and

queries by citizens, an awareness of the Crimes Decree, the

role of traditional leaders and traditional values, the empow-

erment of citizens on business ethics and practices and others.

This team will be spearheaded by members in Labasa and

supported by the TI Fiji Board and Secretariat.

The success of this MD was due to the presence and contribu-

tion of Deputy Chair of TI Fiji, Apisalome Tudreu, who used

his experience and skills to mentally challenge members in

Labasa, and generate interest and enthusiasm in them.

With the expertise that TI Fiji has, members in Labasa could

use this to contribute to the improvement in the lives of peo-

ple in the North.

The north is seeing a vast and fast pace of development. The

Commissioner Northern, Inia Seruiratu, noted that the tour-

ism, IT industry, international port, resource based industries

and education facilities were now being developed and that

the Look North policy was gradually eventuating.

TI Fiji hopes to be involved at this stage, due to the amount of

funding, assets & capital, skills etc that would be flowing

through to the north.

Furthermore, TI Fiji recognizes the need to build ethical busi-

ness practices, and ensure that mechanisms are in place to

curb corrupt practices or dealings in the north.

Three membership drive events have been held so far this

year, with more taking place in upcoming months.

6



THE Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre has put out two new

publications to create more awareness of the programme and

its impact on the lives of citizens.

Spotlight, is a publication that looks at the variety of cases

that is dealt with by the ALAC. Many of the cases in Spot-

light are not related to corruption but featured to give an

indication of the many unfair practices and unfortunate inci-

dences that some citizens experience.

These cases range from unfair work practices and delays in

official government processes to child maintenance and work

dismissals.

Publication Highlight: An Indian national was tricked

into paying $16,000 to a Fiji nursing institution that did not

exist.

The woman came across the bogus institution through an

advertisement in the internet.

Through ALAC’s advice, the matter was reported to authori-

ties and the foreigner got her hard earned money back.

Human Interest Stories is another ALAC publication that

covers both cases and a description of ALAC’s intervention in

successfully assisting aggrieved citizens with their com-

plaints.

The HIS gives a human face to the ALAC work and carries

an account of the impact the Centre has had on individuals

and groups.

Publication Highlight: A woman who was having prob-

lems with receiving child maintenance on time complained to

ALAC.

The mother of seven who resided in the West would travel to

Suva on a monthly basis to collect money which she used for

her family’s everyday needs. Six of her children attended

school and frequent delays in child maintenance disburse-

ment worsened her struggles.

ALAC’s assistance ensured that she got her money without

delays.

Both publications are available in print and can also be ac-

cessed on the official TI Fiji website:

www.transparencyfiji.org

Mix FM Radio Talkback

Lautoka-based radio station, MIX FM, continues to partner

with TI Fiji in its talk back programmes.

The station has been a keen media partner in past years and

has effectively helped in reaching out to listeners in the

Western Division who often do not access outreach activities

in the Central/Eastern Divisions.

Board director, Dr Donasiano Ruru, who resides in the west,

has been appearing on these radio MIX FM shows.

The ALAC has also recently collaborated and held discus-

sions with femLINK Pacific, Consumer Council of Fiji,

the Fiji Times and the Department of Youth in an effort

to boost community outreach and awareness initiatives

through the media. More update in the next issue.

Media Initiatives and Publications Boost Outreach

THE ALAC has managed to

secure a 3-year funding

agreement with the Austra-

lian Agency for International

Development (AusAID).

The agreement includes co-

funding for the 6 ALACs in

the Asia-Pacific region.

This funding will be used to

accommodate for the decreas-

ing in funding from the De-

partment For International

Development (DFID) UK..

The funding is a timely one

and will allow the ALAC to

keep its operations at a stable

level.

Moreover, this translates to

the ability of the Centre to

continue to run its pro-

gramme and implement ac-

tivities for the Fiji public.

There is a review process

underway and once com-

pleted, the 1st phase of the

AusAid funding is expected to

be disbursed .

ALAC provides legal advice

to victims and witnesses of

corruption for free.

AusAID Funding Comes

Through for ALAC

ALAC’s Advocacy Success

Story THIS quarter the ALAC met and held fruitful discussions

with officials of the Public Employees Union.

This follows initials contacts received from union members

regarding their Retirement Benefit Policy Scheme.

Five complaints were received from PEU union members re-

garding retirement benefits which according to them were

supposed to be collected at the age of 55.

Talks between ALAC and the PEU were successful and mat-

ters raised by union members have been amicably discussed.

After follow ups done by ALAC, the union agreed to meet with

Centre staff resulting in plans to amend PEU policies on this

retirement benefit scheme.

The new ALAC publication—Human Interest Stories.

7

TI FIJI will implement a youth pro-

gramme through financial support

from the Vodafone ATH Fiji Founda-

tion World of Difference Programme.

Under the partnership, WOD 2011

candidate and TI Fiji Communications

Officer, John Kamea, will work on a

Peace and Unity Programme called

the Youth Leadership, Advocacy and

Civic Education (LACE) Project.

The project will involve outreach ac-

tivities and the training of youth and

interest groups on civic education.

This is aimed at enabling youth to

participate in the democratic and de-

velopment processes, understand their

roles and responsibilities and develop

a respect for the law and human

rights.

The advocacy component of LACE will

enhance youth leadership and nego-

tiation skills for their participation

and engagement in the decision and

policy-making processes, both at local

and national level.

LACE will feature a few youth pilot

programmes which hopefully will

form a basis of TI Fiji’s future youth

programmme.

The Vodafone WOD Programme

gives successful candidates opportu-

nities to making a difference by

working for ones dream charity

without the worry of having to make

financial sacrifices.

“Through the Vodafone ATH Fiji Foun-

dation and TI Fiji partnership, I am

happy to create a difference in the lives

of youths in Fiji and enable them to be

effective agents of change in their com-

munities,” Mr Kamea said.

The WOD Programme will pay for his

volunteer salary while he works on the

LACE Programme in the next four

months. A total of 24 local candidates

have been chosen to work on a project

each, for their choice of local charity

FemLINK Pacific has engaged TI

Fiji to collaborate on media activi-

ties for women, especially those in

disadvantaged and rural communi-

ties.

Discussions were held in early June

to identify ways of letting rural

know of TI Fiji’s programmes and

activities.

Particular attention will be given on

highlighting the free legal advisory

service carried out under its Advo-

cacy and Legal Advice Centre.

ALAC gives free legal advice to vic-

tims and witnesses of corruption.

“It has been hard for us to access

rural women. Likewise rural women

have found it hard to access what

we provide. So the TIF / FemLINK

TI FIJI and the Citizen’s Constitu-

tional Forum partnered in the month

of May and June in Open Budget Ini-

tiative-funded workshops.

Under the OBI ,three budget work-

shops implemented by CCF were con-

ducted, the last of two of which were

held in collaboration with TI Fiji and

covered the tikina of Nailega in

Wainibuka, Tailevu and tikina Wain-

unu in Bua.

The Ministry of Finance and the Min-

istry of Primary Industries’ Planning

office also facilitated sessions in the

workshop, which featured an aware-

ness raising component and a skills-

building component, providing partici-

pants with a holistic approach and

view of the budget process.

TI Fiji’s presentation was on

“Monitoring the Government Budget”.

partnership is timely and essential

for effectively assisting our women,”

said ALAC Programme Officer, To-

kasa Ramaqa.

“Corruption has negative effects and

contributes to poverty. Women are

amongst the most vulnerable and

worst affected. They need to know

about corruption, its effects and

ways to fight it. Through

FemLINK’s media initiatives, we

hope to do this and make women

more informed,” she said.

TI Fiji hopes to produce radio

scripts to be aired to rural communi-

ties using FemLINK’s Suitcase Ra-

dio Programme and aggressively

pursue working with the organiza-

tion on other media initiatives in an

effort to empower and engage

women in rural Fiji.

2010 winners of the Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation World of Difference Programme.


TI Fiji joins World of Difference Programme

Working with CCF

on OBI


Partnering with FemLINK Pacific for

Fiji’s Rural Women

8



Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre (ALAC) Statistical Update

April 2011-June 2011

The percentage graph shows

the Medium of Contact re-

corded by the ALAC for the

months of April 1 - June 30,

2011. Majority of the cases

shown here were walk-in

clients that came personally

to the ALAC to lodge their

complaints with 13 per cent

being through the writing of

letters.

Walk-in Clients-13

Letters-2


us How Clients Heard

About ALAC, which in this

case is mostly through the

media (articles or interviews)

followed by other adverts

26.7% and through the radio

20% and friends 13.3%.

Media—5

Other adverts– 4

Radio adverts-3

Friend-2


the Action Taken by the

ALAC between April 1st 2011

to June 30th, 2011. 46.7%

shows invitation for meetings

with the implicated institu-

tions and or sending of docu-

ments for follow ups. Other

actions taken by the ALAC

has included opening of client

cases and referrals to State

institutions.

Invitation for meet-

ing/sending documents– 7

Case opened– 4

Referred to State– 4

9 www.transparencyfi j i . org


Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre Statistical Update

April 2011-June 2011

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The percentage graph showing the

Primary Complaint Area that many

complaints were against from April 1-

June 30, 2011. As stated in the graph,

53.3% complaints were on tax/finance

issues, 20% on the private sector and

13.3% were on inspection/licenses. Ju-

dicial and Cases Not Related to Cor-

ruption were on 6.7%.

Tax/Finances- 8

Private Sector-3

Inspections/Licenses-2

Judicial- 1

Not corruption-related– 1

The percentage graph shows the

Implicated Institutions that the

complaints were against between

April 1-June 30, 2011. Sixty (60)%

of the complaints were on the pri-

vate sector.

Private Sector/Individuals-3

City Councils-1

ANZ-1

As stated in the percentage graph,

there were more females (60%) that

came to the ALAC between April 1-

June 30, 2011, compared to 40%

males. This is a different trend. Pre-

viously more males than women came

to the ALAC.

Female-3

Male-2

10


TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL FIJI

72 PRATT STREET, SUVA

PHONE: 3304 702 FAX: 3303 530

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.transparencyfiji.org

GOOD governance is not a luxury but a basic requirement for development.

Corruption undermines development

and is generally an outcome and a

symptom of poor governance.

It has reached global proportions and

needs to be attacked directly and explic-

itly.” (Durban HOG Commonwealth

Declaration 2004)

It is now widely acknowledged that the

control of corruption has to be an inte-

gral component of good governance.

The concept of governance in academic

discourses particularly of African intel-

lectuals is often expressed in terms of

state–society relations (Mkandawire

2010).

Governance, they assert, should be de-

velopmental, democratic and socially

inclusive. In brief, governance is concep-

tualised as the exercise of power

amongst society to manage a nation’s

affairs encompassing all three aspects

aforementioned.

The lack of transparency in governance

including the state budget is of concern

as it could be ground for increased cor-

ruption.

Control of corruption is inter-linked

with the other aspects of governance,

especially with the rule of law. Rule of

law enables legal certainty which

makes processes predictable and legally

enforceable.

It includes judicial review which evalu-

ates the strength of scrutiny by the

courts of the Executive’s actions.

It ensures that the appointment of

judges is transparent and their inde-

pendence respected. It promotes the

prevention of corruption by state offi-

cials and politicians.

Of particular concern to TI Fiji is the

lack of public information on the actual

expenditure against budget allocations

at the end of each financial year.

This kind of information can assist the

public in monitoring the performance of

the public service. Experience world-

wide indicates that in weak economies

petty corruption of the public service

becomes common.

This is usually encouraged by a number

of factors including low salaries, lack of

media freedom to expose irregularities

and absence of transparency in public

fund management.

As is well known, the general fight

against corruption requires media free-

dom as stated above. The situation of

the press in Fiji is of concern in this

regard.

Again the international index on Press

freedom shows a downward trend for

our country from 58th position with the

top 34% just below USA and Tonga in

2006 to 149th position amongst the bot-

tom 26% in 2010 just below Colombo,

Nigeria, Afghanistan and the Democ-

ratic Republic of Congo.

With a free press facilitating access to

information, the people themselves can

be an effective force in combating cor-

ruption.

The “Right to Information Movement in

India” for example has displayed signifi-

cant success in bringing corrupt bureau-

crats to account. (Harrison 2010).

They can trace budget expenditures

even at local levels. The cost of corrup-

tion to Fiji in the past has been exten-

sive. Its very nature as a secret ex-

change between two parties renders it

difficult to detect.

Corruption can have cost implications

impacting the political life and business

environment of a country as well as the

economic and social lives of families and

individuals.

As the famous collapse of the National

Bank of Fiji (NBF) illustrated, weak-

nesses of governance can lead to large

scale corruption with disastrous impact

on the society.

It is widely acknowledged that poor

governance encourages corruption while

corruption weakens the performance

and integrity of governance.

Both have direct negative impact on a

nation’s development and prosperity.

Extensive research shows that foreign

investment is lower in countries per-

ceived to be corrupt, which further

thwarts their chance to prosper.

Experience worldwide shows that good

clean governance has to be a necessary

basis for sustainable prosperity for all.

The indicators itemised here show a

worrying trend for Fiji. It seems to me

to be a wakeup call for us all.

We at TI Fiji invite each of you con-

cerned for the human and natural wel-

fare of this country, to consider taking

up the fight against corruption and the

promotion of good transparent govern-

ance in your everyday lives with cour-

age.

For the complete version of this paper

visit our website:

www.transparencyfiji.org

In this issue of “Have Your

Say” TI Fiji Director,

Suliana Siwatibau, talks

“Corruption and Govern-

ance” based on a paper she

presented at the recent Fiji

Institute of Accountants

Congress held in Sigatoka.

Here are excerpts from her

presentation.

Documents

Transparency International Quarterly Bulletin Fijitransparencyfiji.org/docs/Bulletin - Jun 2011.pdfSatish Kumar Associate Member: Varanisese B Semili Naikatini Viniana Dobui Keleni