New Report on Women's Political Participation in Latin American Politics

Theb report "30 Years of Democracy: Riding the Wave? Women’s Political Participation in Latin America" examines the progress made in women’s participation at all levels of public and party decision making, in the three decades since the start of the third wave of democratization in Latin America, drawing on data from 18 countries in the region. The report also examines the extent to which women are present in political office and party systems.

The authors argue that in spite of democracy’s third wave taking root in Latin America, the leading role of women in the social sphere did not translate into the political sphere, real progress is highly uneven and limited to only some countries.. However, the recent rise to power of two female presidents has generated new levels of attention to women’s political participation. While gains have been made, they have not been uniform across countries or in power venues. Some positive aspects in women’s participation have included four women winning the presidency in their countries by political vote (Panama, Chile, Argentina, and Nicaragua), and women holding more cabinet posts across the region (24.5%).

The reports goes beyond the numbers, analyzing why some countries have been able to advance further than others and identifying some of the continuing obstacles encountered by women. It presents recommendations for improving the situation of women in public life including:

+ Introducing electoral reforms that guarantee more effective application of affirmative action measures for election to public office in countries in which such measures exist;
+ Getting the issue of affirmative action onto the public agenda in countries where such measures have not yet been introduced;
+ Working for real democratization of political parties by encouraging practices that allow women to participate as active members and leaders under truly equitable conditions;
+ Studying and implementing reforms to incorporate gender criteria into regulations on political financing, as well as gender-oriented criteria for access to resources and control of spending by political parties;
+ Encouraging strategies for supporting women who hold elected office, through the creation women’s networks; and
+ Working with the media to eliminate their chauvinistic view of politics and urging them to put gender issues on their agenda and provide equal coverage of female candidates

Text Source: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance / International IDEA, 2008.

SURVEY: Weighing the cost of corruption or compliance

Anti-corruption enforcement has become stronger around the globe over the past five years, according to nearly 70% of respondents to a new survey of business leaders worldwide. Their perceptions are supported by the fact that regulatory authorities and law enforcement are cooperating more frequently. At the same time corruption itself remains a sig. . .

Added by  Boris Demidov  May 15, 2008
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Corruption main barrier to EU-Latin America trade: Survey

Corruption is the main barrier to trade and investment between the European Union and Latin America, a survey showed. Seventy eight percent of EU companies developing partnerships in Latin America said they suffered from graft. The survey by Eurochambres, the association of European chambers of commerce, found the cost of transport and logist. . .

Added by  Boris Demidov  May 15, 2008
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Africa: between ethical tradition and financial attraction / L’Afrique entre tradition éthique et attrait de la finance

Special issue on Africa: analysis of the relationship between ethics, finance governance and corruption. Bi-lingual (English and French) review on finance, ethics and common good ("Finance & the Common Good/Bien Commun", edited by Observatoire de la Finance, Geneva n° 28-29, III 2007

Added by  Simona Mulinari  May 14, 2008
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Implementing Anti-Corruption Convention

This paper presents some specific ways that legislators and regulators can implement provisions in national law which help implement the international anti-corruption conventions. The authors -- Bryane Michael and Habit Hajredini -- present ways that law enforcement agencies can help with effective implementation and a case study is provided.

Added by  Bryane Michael  May 14, 2008
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Decentralisation and conflict dynamics in Indonesia: better management of diversity

Since the end of Suharto’s rule, Indonesia has initiated an ambitious decentralisation programme. To some extent, this has addressed long-standing local and regional demands for greater autonomy. But it has also opened up space for new forms of competition amongst local identity groups and interests. Source: id21

Added by  Carmen Villegas Caballero  May 14, 2008
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Making anti-corruption laws work in central and eastern Europe

International organisations such as the United Nations have targeted corruption with several conventions over the last decade. However, official validation of these conventions by governments has not been followed by effective action. Executive agencies in central and eastern Europe will only achieve this by overcoming difficulties in defining corr. . .

Added by  Carmen Villegas Caballero  May 14, 2008
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Confirming fraud in Mozambique’s presidential elections

"The 2004 presidential elections in Mozambique were criticised by the main opposition party and international observers, who made allegations of electoral fraud and misconduct. While the available data is limited, such allegations can be tested by examining whether the evidence from polling stations was consistent with specific complaints." Source:. . .

Added by  Carmen Villegas Caballero  May 14, 2008
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PAPER: Rules and guidelines regarding revolving doors/pantouflage

The Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) publishes on April 22 presentations and a summary record of a Tour de Table on the issue of revolving doors/pantouflage, including presentations made by experts from four countries which have detailed regulations governing the movement of public officials to to the private sector. P. . .

Added by  Boris Demidov  May 14, 2008
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Decentralization and Democracy: A Global Perspective in 2007

This paper is the concluding chapter to the first Global Review of Decentralization and Local Democracy (GOLD) of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) in Barcelona. The GOLD report consists of nine chapters, seven regional reviews, each prepared by experts from the respective region, together with a chapter on metropolitan governance. The c. . .

Added by  Anuradha Bhattacharjee  May 13, 2008
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European firms accelerate compliance with global anti-corruption standards

A series of bribery investigations at leading European companies has helped to accelerate compliance with global anti-corruption standards as managers recognize the risk to their brands and reputations, legal analysts and international regulators say. IHT, May 7. By Nicola Clark.

Added by  Boris Demidov  May 8, 2008
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