Transparency society plans local reform index

Kuwait Transparency Society plans local reform index. As Kuwait seems to be getting worse classification with passing of time on the international Corruption Perception Index, Kuwait Transparency Society yesterday announced intention to launch a new "Reform Index" to gauge reform efforts and counter-corruption action at state bodies. Society chairman Salah Al-Ghazali told a press conference the index is an initiative to save the public sector after spread of corruption recently.

It functions through competition among state bodies to identify, admit to, and address their own problems and coming clean with all before the public. A board of trustees gathering specialists and experts in administrative and financial affairs was set up to guarantee a proper and sound mechanism for the index, the official pointed out.

The annual index involves criteria such as performance assessment mechanisms, transparency requirements, improvement of standards of service, and encouraging the state bodies, officials, and staff to engage in reform efforts. The index project also hopes to increase awareness on the need to counter administrative and financial corruption in the state sector and urge more care and commitment to principles such as preservation and best utilization of state funds.

Most active and successful institutions in this area would get time in the spot-light, he said, which would both whet competition among state bodies and increase awareness among the public. More on the index mechanism , Reform Perception Index commissioner Salma Al-Eisa said the idea was discussed with Transparency International Corruption Perception Index Commissioner Johann Graf Lambsdorff and Transparency International, and the experiences of Dubai and Jordan in this field was also reviewed.

Al-Eisa pointed out observations and recommendations of experts from across the world were taken in consideration as well and the index project was presented to the Kuwaiti premier. The index, she said, gauges aspects on transparency, integrity, liability and accountability, respect of law, efficiency, justice, and competitiveness within state bodies. The bodies are to be listed from best to worst performer, she said.

The first list and report for 2007 would be announced at the transparency forum to be hosted in Kuwait in mid February 2008, the official revealed. Since 1995, Transparency International has published an annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ordering the countries of the world according to "the degree to which corruption is perceived to exist among public officials and politicians".

The organization defines corruption as "the abuse of entrusted power for private gain". Article 13 of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) states "Each State Party shall take appropriate measures to promote the active participation of individuals and groups outside the public sector, such as civil society, non-governmental organizations, and community-based organizations, in the prevention of and the fight against corruption and to raise public awareness regarding the existence, causes, and gravity of and the threat posed by corruption."