Facts

Global Anti-Corruption Day, 9 December, celebrates the signing in 2003 of the UN Convention against Corruption, which defines corruption and processes for international co-operation in the recovery of stolen assets. Good governance plays a significant role in reducing poverty and lifting living standards. Good governance has eight major characteristics. It is participatory, transparent, responsive, consensus oriented, equitable and inclusive, effective and efficient, accountable and follows the rule of law. Good governance assures corruption is minimised, views of minorities are taken into account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision making. The perceived level of corruption has decreased between 2004-2005 in France, Japan and Nigeria. The perceived level of corruption has increased between 2004-2005 in Nepal, Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka. It was estimated in 1999 by both the OECD and the World Bank that US$80 billion a year changes hands as bribes or 'gifts'. For further information: http://www.worldbank.org/research/aid/aidtoc.htm http://www.unescap.org/huset/gg/governance.htm http://www.transparency.org/

Background

In the last decade, development literature has increasingly emphasised the role played by good governance in maximising the effectiveness of the development dollar and in achieving sustainable development.

What is governance?

The term 'governance' is used to describe the way in which a country is governed. It covers the range of political, economic and administrative decisions made by the government, business and civil society sectors as they manage a country's resources and affairs.

What is good governance?

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) defines good governance as:

'Good governance has eight major characteristics. It is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law. It assures that corruption is minimised, the views of minorities are taken into account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making. It is also responsive to the present and future needs of society.'

http://www.unescap.org/huset/gg/governance.htm

Democracy and good governance 

Many countries and international organisations regard democracy as being the most effective and fairest system of government. In a democracy bad governments can be voted out, which provides governments with an incentive to implement policies that will be good for the whole country and not just a favoured minority. An effective democracy has good institutions and active and informed citizens able to exercise their political and civil rights and to push for reforms which otherwise may not take place. Yet some characteristics of a democracy can impede good governance. Governments may sacrifice sound policy for popularity in the polls and short time frames make it difficult to implement long-term plans.

Human rights and good governance

There are close links between good governance and human rights.
The characteristics of good governance guarantee civil, political, social and economic rights. Citizens are able to freely express views and influence the government for change without the fear of being arrested, tortured or discriminated against. Citizens are legally protected in relation to their property, personal security and liberty. Adequate provision of basic needs, education and health services and pay enables people to fully participate in the community and decreases corruption.

Corruption and good governance

Corruption, the abuse of one’s official position for personal gain, is the extreme opposite of good governance. It is a major problem in many countries and is increasingly recognised as the greatest obstacle to achieving sustainable development. It has political, social, economic and environmental costs. Corruption undermines citizens’ trust in public institutions and offices of government, eroding the values of democracy. It increases costs for companies to do business, and decreases the tax revenues available to governments to provide public facilities such as schools, roads and hospitals. Although the kinds of practices that are considered corrupt differ among cultures, all cultures do have a framework of acceptable behaviour.
Fighting corruption requires strong political will, an active civil society, a free press and freedom of information legislation coupled with a strong, clean judicial system. It takes time to change behaviours and attitudes as well as resources for people in official positions not to be tempted to engage in corrupt practices.