Objective: To address corruption in emerging democracies through the creation of a Task Force to Develop Systems to Eradicate Corruption in Emerging Democracies.

Commitment: To recruit and solicit Task Force participants, provide a conference location in the Washington, D.C. area, facilitate travel arrangements and make a financial commitment to assist in related expenses.

Background: More than a decade has passed since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Today, it is poignant that corruption is pervasive in developing democracies from Eastern Europe and Central Asia to Latin America and Africa. Corruption plagues governmental structures and impedes good business practices throughout the globe's new democracies. In many of these nations, regime change came abruptly, leaving many struggling to stabilize their domestic economies and to establish systems of accountability with limited resources.

Corruption exists in developed nations as well as in transitioning democracies. Yet the existence of corruption in emerging democracies tends to be the primary hindrance to establishing a sound economy and functioning government. In order to effectively strengthen our globe’s newest democratic partners, one must make combating corruption a high priority. Strengthening emerging democracies through anti-corruption efforts will also help deter activities such as selling chemical or nuclear weapons on the black market, and thus aid the global war on terror.

The proposed Task Force to develop systems to Eradicate Corruption in Emerging Democracies would take the form of a collective of international experts from academic, non-profit, multinational, and governmental entities that would tentatively convene in Washington, D.C., in June 2006. The Task Force would focus primarily on providing ideas to create a culture in which corruption becomes unacceptable, as well as on systems of enforceable accountability that deter corrupt activities in both government and enterprise. The Task Force would provide a unique chance to bring together individuals of varying expertise to approach anti-corruption efforts in an integrated and creative manner.

Robert Leventhal, Director, Central European and Eurasian Rule of Law Program and Anti-corruption Programs Coordinator at the American Bar Association Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative has agreed to take part in proposed Task Force.

Update:
November 2005:
I met with the Anti Corruption office of the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris, France. I also participated in a phone conference with a coordinator at UNICORN International, a trade union group focused on anti corruption efforts based in Cardiff, Wales. Interested participants include, but are not limited to:
The American Bar Association Central and Eastern European Law Institute Anti Corruption Program;
Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC), American University;
Dr. Larry Diamond, Stanford University;
International Chamber of Commerce Anti Corruption Office;
UNICORN International;
Anthony Nanula, CGI participant committed to establishing a center for entrepreneurial leadership in Ukraine; and
Carter Center fellows in Global Development.

January 2006:
I have contacted several NGOs, academics and individuals in an attempt to assemble a well-rounded panel that can tackle all aspects of corruption eradication in emerging democracies. I recognized upon making my commitment that such a project is a tall task, as both corruption and democracy are manifested in varying forms in different regions of the world. Hence, in January, I concluded that in order for my commitment to have any real impact, I needed to choose one nation as a case study. I chose Ukraine as the nation the anti corruption task force will focus on. Initially, I had hoped to assemble the task force in Washington, DC in June 2006. Since I am in the process of running for federal office in my native Ohio (and my primary is in May), I have elected to postpone the conference to early September 2006.

July 2006:
Planning is ongoing for a trip to Ukraine to meet with key government officials and leading NGOs within the next few months. The Task Force is currently developing and soliciting additional members. We continue working toward our aim of strengthening Ukraine’s young democracy through wide-ranging domestic policy improvements, including election oversight and corporate governance and transparency.