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
www.transparencyfi j i . org
Say YES to Integrity and NO to Corruption!
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
www.transparencyfi j i . org
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.
www.transparencyfi j i . org
Say YES to Integri ty and NO to Corruption!
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
Say YES to Integri ty and NO to Corruption!
www.transparencyfi j i . org
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.
Say YES to Integri ty and NO to Corruption!
TI Fiji joins World of Difference Programme
Working with CCF
on OBI
www.transparencyfi j i . org
Partnering with FemLINK Pacific for
Fiji’s Rural Women
8
Say YES to Integrity and NO to Corruption!
www.transparencyfi j i . org
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
The percentage graph shows
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 percentage graph shows
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
Say YES to Integrity and NO to Corruption!
Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre Statistical Update
April 2011-June 2011
ht
tp
://
w
w
w.
tr
a
ns
p
ar
e
n
cy
fij
i.
or
g/
d
oc s/ALAC_Spotlight_Second_edition[1].pd
f
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
www.transparencyfi j i . org
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.