TAI Weekly

TAI Weekly|A Lens on Corruption Across Borders

By TAI (Role at TAI)
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TAI Weekly

WHAT'S NEW?

“It is time to rebuild trust and reconceive development cooperation through just, equitable, and financed frameworks.” Bogolo Kenewendo makes the case for mission-driven climate finance.

Monica Lambon-Quayefio explores the potential of carbon taxation in West African countries, particularly Ghana and Nigeria. The project aims to address climate change while fostering economic growth by examining the challenges and motivations related to carbon taxation in the region.

A new open-access online tool provides a uniquely comprehensive and detailed picture of the impacts of global palm oil supply chains. 

Michael Forst, UN Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders, released a position paper on State repression of environmental protest and civil disobedience, drawing on observances during his visits to various European countries that are Parties to the Aarhus Convention.

Danish and Daniel Uribe examine the growing integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into investment and corporate reporting, emphasizing their role in promoting responsible investment and addressing human rights considerations. 

The Fair Tax Foundation outlines key performance indicators of responsible corporate tax conduct, identifying five areas of tax conduct that investors need to consider as part of their investment appraisal and risk management.

In this “super election year,” 16 African states will hold elections. Their outcomes will help determine whether the continent redeems its democratic credentials after a tough 2023, or whether it is trending toward entrenched authoritarianism, writes Accountability Lab’s Dr. McDonald Lewanika.

Read how social media might help international humanitarian groups work more accountably alongside local relief networks.

Access Now reveals the x-ray of the legislative landscape around Artificial Intelligence in Latin America (in Spanish). For related content, see our blog on platform regulation in Latin America, a conversation with Observacom and UNESCO.

Gustavo Gorriti, investigative journalist and founder of IDL-Reporteros, is facing a defamation case launched against him by the Peruvian far right. Gustavo clarifies: "It is not my case, it is the case of investigative journalism, of the right to know, of the right not to be lied to... We will defend press freedom". (Interview in Spanish)

ESSENTIAL LISTENING!

Listen to the challenges that Guatemalan President Arévalo faces in taking on entrenched elites as he announces his anti-corruption team and pushes for cleaning up government.

FROM OUR MEMBERS 

LUMINATE: celebrated the third anniversary of Potencia, its partner support program in Latin America. Since 2020, Potencia has strengthened 55 organizations working to increase civic and political participation in Latin America. Gabriela Hadid, Luminate and Silvia Morais, Synergos write about the lessons learned.

HEWLETT FOUNDATION: Grantee partners from their Culture, Race, & Equity team are advancing racial justice for this and future generations. On Black History Month, many are reflecting on the rich legacy on which they’re building.

MACARTHUR FOUNDATION: features the efforts of an undercover reporter at the Daily Nigerian, an outlet supported via a MacArthur grant, to expose how easy it could be to attain a fraudulent qualification to get accepted in Nigeria’s National Youth Service Scheme. Since the well publicized report, a new verification system has been introduced. 

TOOLS AND TRENDS FOR FUNDERS

Organizations from Eurasia share tools, contacts, and best practices for success in difficult environments. PILnet, alongside Ford Foundation's Weaving Resilience grantees, facilitated a workshop aimed at strengthening CSOs' resilience in navigating difficult environments.

Walter Veirs writes about his journey in philanthropy and highlights the value of long-term investment in fostering civic engagement; listening to, talking with and learning from grantees; and the urgent need to advance and protect civic space.

Should philanthropy be more political? Charles Keidan argues progressive funders have much to learn from conservative funders in shaping political agendas.

Humanitarian Aid International launched the Dashboard for Aid Transparency and Accountability (DATA) designed to enhance the financial transparency of humanitarian funding in India and track the funds reaching grassroots organisations. 

ESSENTIAL LISTENING!

Journalists in Jordan have found their phones infected with Pegasus spyware and their actions anticipated by the government. As this story explains, they are far from alone as such spyware becomes all too prevalent (and hard to eliminate.)

FOCUSED TOPIC OF THE WEEK

Global Perspectives on Corruption: Wealth Flows, Integrity Indices, and the links to Conflict

The World Bank hosted its Fragility Forum in Washington, DC, last week with thousands discussing how to support development in fragile and conflict-affected states. One underlying thread was the pernicious effects of corruption. Take the example of Sudan, where nearly 11 million people, including three million children, are displaced, making it the epicenter of the world's largest conflict-induced displacement. Besides grappling with a dire humanitarian crisis, John Prendergast outlines how the country faces the repercussions of money laundering aggravating its civil war. Urgent action, especially from the United States, is urged to curb the problem, now that positive strides are being taken in that direction inside the USA.

The outflow of wealth from conflict-affected contexts is clear. Data Cameroon highlight the flows from Central Africa to Dubai. Ministers, mayors, parliamentarians, and businessmen from countries like Cameroon, Gabon, Chad, Congo, and the Central African Republic have notably invested in Dubai's property sector, raising questions about the origins of their wealth.

In Latin America, links between politicians and violent drug cartels point to embedded corruption. In Mexico, a consortium of news outlets reported that López Obrador's campaign team allegedly accepted $2 million from drug gangs. While the president denies direct involvement, reports suggest a close aide's awareness of the transactions. López Obrador vehemently dismisses these allegations as slander. Further south, Reporters Without Borders warns that covering corruption or collusion between politicians, private sector companies, or organized crime in Colombia often “elicits systematic harassment, intimidation, and violence.” Andrea Arzaba, a Colombian investigative journalist offers her point of view and some pieces of advice for journalists.

In terms of combating money laundering, including through real estate, Casey Michel points to some positive moves in the US, which has been a hub for global illicit finance.

The introduction of a beneficial ownership registry and new rules on real estate checks are a step forward, eliminating the anonymity previously exploited by kleptocrats, oligarchs, and criminal entities in cities like Wilmington or Reno. However, there is more to do. 

The ongoing challenge of corruption in political spheres is also true In the UK, where a majority of the public perceives an increase in corruption, with over half of voters expressing concern about political corruption influencing their voting decisions. 

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