Published: 11 November 2015
A two-day training workshop involving researchers from six chapters of Transparency International (TI) commenced in Dhaka today to find ways for improving effectiveness of Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACAs) in the Asia and Pacific region.
During the Dhaka workshop titled: Anti-corruption Agencies Assessment Tool and Project Kick-Off Workshop, researches from TI Chapters of Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Maldives, Mongolia, Sri Lanka and Taiwan will be capacitated on techniques of using the ACA assessment tools, including research process and indicator framework; design work plan and advocacy strategies and form a practitioners’ network to take this initiative forward in the region and beyond.
Some 40 ACAs exist in the Asia Pacific region, and the effectiveness of many ACAs is inhibited by constraints such as insufficient independence, weak capacity and limited mandates. This encouraged TI in developing an initiative aimed at strengthening ACAs utilizing its expertise, networks and capacity. The project combines biennial assessments of ACAs with sustained engagement, dialogue and advocacy at both national and regional levels.
On the concluding day, among other topics, potential research challenges and mitigation measures will also be identified during the Dhaka workshop, jointly organized by Asia Pacific Department of TI-Secretariat and TI Bangladesh.
On Monday 9 November, a number of participants visited Gazipur district, an outskirt of the Capital, to experience how TI-Bangladesh mobilizes the community using various social accountability tools. The team is pleased to see the power of mothers raising their voices before the school authorities at East Bhurulia Government Primary School. They also interacted with the authorities of Shahid Tajuddin Ahmed Medical College Hospital and were appraised about various advocacy and campaign tools used by Committees of concerned Citizens of Gazipur that is helping to improve the governance situation in the hospital.
Young volunteers of Youth Engagement and Support (YES) group also set up Advice and Information desk (AI-Desk) in front of the hospital, empowering patients and their relatives with necessary information to avoid harassment and making unauthorized payment.
