TAI Weekly

TAI Weekly|Is Tax Policy Just About Money?

By TAI (Role at TAI)
Capture d’écran 2024-10-07 à 16.19.37.png
TAI Weekly

WHAT'S NEW? 

150 researchers worldwide call to safeguard research integrity concerning information and democracy. They raise an alarm against growing threats, such as harassment and censorship, faced by those studying disinformation. 

While there is increasing pressure to control harmful content on the internet, it's crucial to find a balance that protects freedom of expression. Gaston Wrigth, in his recent article, questions whether current regulatory efforts might inadvertently suppress social change (in Spanish). For further insights, check out our TAI’s 2023 blog: To Regulate or Not to Regulate.

The recently agreed Pact for the Future represents a more inclusive and rights-based approach to global economic governance. The Center for Economic and Social Rights analyze this step towards a rights-based economy.

Information about trusts is a critical aspect of ensuring transparency in beneficial ownership. Trust registries can facilitate the flow of relevant information. OpenOwnership offer guidance on how governments can establish such registries to collect and share data effectively. 

What to track the latest on media support? Check out Peter Erdelyi’s Media Finance Monitor, including big tech's latest views on the value of content and news,  and a comprehensive global study on media funding regulations. 

The evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents both opportunities and threats to democratic values. In a new report, Beth Kerley, Carl Miller, and Fernanda Campagnucci emphasize the positive and outline possible paths toward a prodemocratic vision for AI.

In a controversial move, Zambia's president has suspended judges who ruled in favor of a political rival, highlighting the ongoing challenges to judicial independence in the country.

Hardi Yakubu describes Ghana’s political landscape as a “constitutional dictatorship” with freedoms of speech and assembly continuously threatened by physical violence, social media harassment, and judicial repression.

The International Land Coalition expresses deep concern over the targeted attacks on Indigenous Peoples in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. Shrinking civic space, civil unrest, and political instability exacerbate inequalities, particularly land inequalities faced by Indigenous Peoples, challenging their right to self-determination.

 The Global Forum on Transparency highlights the newly launched Baku Global Climate Transparency Platform (BTP) aiming to streamline various support channels, signaling a potentially important step toward a more transparent climate response.

FROM OUR MEMBERS 

HEWLETT FOUNDATION: has appointed Liz Peters as Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, overseeing operations, and Kristy Tsadick as General Counsel & Corporate Secretary. Their leadership should enhance the foundation's efforts to support communities and the planet.

PACKARD FOUNDATION: Thinking about a career in philanthropy? Learn firsthand what it's like to work at the Packard Foundation. Their team is here to share their stories.

LUMINATE: Director for Latin America, Gabriela Hadid stresses the urgent need for the region to shape AI governance. She warns of risks like electoral disinformation and surveillance, and asserts that timely action is crucial to ensure AI serves as an ally for democracy and human rights (in Spanish).

USAID: Jessica Benton Cooney shares the stories of five inspiring individuals who have made significant contributions to democracy, human rights, and governance. 

ESSENTIAL WATCHING!

Watch the webinar celebrating the launch of the Taskforce on Inequality and Social-related Financial Disclosures (TISFD). This initiative aims to develop a framework for businesses and investors to assess and report on their social impacts, promoting more equitable and resilient societies.

TOOLS AND TRENDS FOR FUNDERS 

Former TAI steering committee members Kecia Bertermann partners with Andy Martin to highlight a key issue in philanthropy: the absence of mechanisms for incorporating disconfirming evidence limits grantmakers' impact. They ask, what might philanthropy's version of peer review or judicial appeal look like?

In the second blog of her series, TAI’s Eszter Filippinyi reflects on the power dynamics shaping climate justice narratives, often controlled by powerful interests. As COP30 approaches, she calls for stronger collaboration and indigenous leadership to build a more just and accountable future. How can we shift the narrative to center those most affected?

Rebecca Hanshaw and Barry Knight share their take on the gap between our evolving world and outdated institutions. As challenges grow, these institutions may become part of the problem instead of offering solutions. Discover why adaptation is essential!

ICYMI, this summer ACF launched the "Origins of Wealth" toolkit, funded by the Barrow Cadbury Trust, to help foundations examine their ties to the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved African peoples. As awareness of these connections increases, this toolkit invites reflections on how wealth origins resonate within philanthropic practices.

ESSENTIAL READING!

In To Be 'Better' The World Bank Must Center Citizens, Blair Glencorse and Vinay Bhargava argue that lacking citizen input in emergency projects undermines their effectiveness. 

FOCUSED TOPIC OF THE WEEK

Tax policy: Not only revenue generation but also a tool for promoting transparency, and inclusiveness

Recent findings reveal that the UK network of tax havens is responsible for a staggering one-third of corporate tax abuse risks globally. Despite this alarming statistic, the OECD has rated the UK’s network as “not harmful,” raising serious questions about the standards used to assess the impact of tax havens. Mark Bou Mansour highlights this contradiction in new research, emphasizing that British tax havens continue to shield vast amounts of wealth while leaving the rest of the world exposed to the detrimental effects of tax evasion. This points to a need for a global reassessment of tax haven policies and regulations to ensure fairer economic systems.

The implications of corporate tax abuse are evident in disputes such as the recent $894 million royalty row involving Glencore's copper mine in Congo. This case exemplifies the ongoing tensions between multinational corporations and resource-rich countries over rightful revenue distribution. It further underscores the need for transparent and equitable tax policies to address the exploitation of resources and ensure that profits contribute to local development.

Globally, governments are grappling with the challenge of implementing effective tax reforms. According to the OECD’s Tax Policy Reforms 2024, countries are striving to balance the need for additional domestic resources with measures aimed at alleviating the cost-of-living crisis. The report covers tax policy changes enacted in 2023 across 90 countries, highlighting the evolving landscape of fiscal policies as governments seek to stabilize economies and support their populations. This push for reform signals a growing recognition of the vital role tax policy plays in addressing economic inequalities and funding public goods. 

However, there remains the challenge of how to secure public support for the underlying suggestion of raising taxes and cutting spending. Tax policy reforms must go beyond revenue generation and economic stabilization; they must address underlying social disparities, including gender inequities. Sofia Berg, Giulia Mascagni, and Caroline Othim explore how tax expenditures often have gendered impacts, disproportionately affecting women. Addressing these disparities in tax policy design is essential to creating a more equitable fiscal system. 

JOBS

CALLS

  • JournalismAI Innovation Challenge (supported by Google News Initiative) is open! Apply for up to $250,000 to develop AI-powered journalism solutions. Deadline: Oct 10.

  • Need help launching or enhancing a participatory program? Apply for expert mentoring support from People Powered!

  • Join a reverse Call for Proposals under Re-imagining the INGO (RINGO) to rebalance power in civil society. Partner with local organizations in Zambia to prioritize and support community-led initiatives! 11 October 2024

  • D-Prize for Government Transparency is awarding up to $20,000 to teams that can create organizations to hold governments accountable for serving underserved citizens, leveraging proven social impact services. Deadline 13 October 2024

  • Call for Applications – IAFFE Feminist Economics School 2025. Deadline for applications: 28 October 2024.

  • Have ideas on data sharing & transparency in energy transition impact assessments? Submit an abstract for IAIA 2025! Deadline 31 October 2024.

  • Call for short stories: Submit stories that offer accurate depictions of surveillance tech for a new toolkit. Five will be published, and one author will win a trip to RightsCon 2025 in Taipei. Deadline November 21, 2024

  • "Shifting Cultural Perceptions grant" - Friends Provident Foundation.

  • OECD Anti-Corruption Research Challenge. Call for submissions: new evidence to strengthen anti-corruption and public integrity systems. Deadline: 5 Jan 2025

CALENDAR

We’d love to hear from you on how we can further improve TAI Weekly to better serve your needs in program management on the transparency, accountability, improved grantmaking and civic space. Please direct your feedback to [email protected] or

SUBSCRIBE TO TAI WEEKLY

Don't miss our latest publications Subscribe now to get our notifications