News From Around the World on Budget Transparency, Accountability, and Participation Africa Funding the Fight against Corruption in Nigeria Despite years of investment in Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies (the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal (CCB and CCT)), corruption in the country remains endemic. How could their work be made more efficient and effective? To answer this question, the CLEEN Foundation published a study of Nigeria’s 2014 Appropriation Act. Budget Transparency in Uganda to be achieved through ICT? During her Budget speech for the financial year 2014/15, the Minister of Finance reached the section entitled “Budget Transparency and Accountability.”To quote verbatim, “Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development continues to publish the quarterly releases to all Government Departments and Agencies in the print media. I call upon Hon. Members of Parliament and the public to take keen interest in this information and use it to monitor the implementation of Government programmes and utilization of tax payers’ money. America El 7 de julio es la fecha límite para enviar insumos a los Grupos de Trabajo establecidos en el Plan de Acción 2014 de la Declaración sobre el Principio 10 en América Latina y el Caribe Enviar insumos sobre contenidos de fortalecimiento de capacidades y cooperación a incluir en el instrumento regional y/o temas a considerar en el instrumento regional, sobre la base del documento elaborado por la CEPAL. Pueden enviar sus contribuciones a [email protected]. Dichos insumos serán subidos a la web www.cepal.org/rio20/principio10. ONU pide a El Salvador compartir su experiencia de lucha contra la corrupción en foro internacional 1 El Salvador comparte en Austria, ante la comunidad internacional, la experiencia en la aplicación de las recomendaciones emanadas del informe de país sobre la lucha contra la corrupción, en el marco de la Convención de las Naciones Unidas que combate a este flagelo. An Online Bill of Rights in Brazil A first-ever law in Brazil is designed to protect internet privacy, free expression, and net neutrality. Asia and the Pacific China’s National Audit Office (NAO) is Contributing to the Country’s Battle against Corruption Last year, audit offices across the country scrutinized more than 150,000 companies and government departments. The NAO’s efficiency is partially due to the fact that it keeps its inner workings confidential. Unlocking Budget Data in Australia: the BudgetAus Collaboration Budget transparency in Australia has recently taken a big step forward with the first ever release of federal budget data in machine readable format. Prior to this year, budget data in Australia had been locked away in PDF and Word documents. While these publications met the broad guidelines for reporting government spending to the public, analysis of government spending remained a difficult and time consuming process Europe Audit Subjects Not Complying with SAI’s Requests in Montenegro Institut alternativa’s research indicates that half of institutions that were audited by the State Audit Institution (SAI) in the last year have not complied with the obligation to submit reports on the implementation of the SAI’s recommendations. MENA 2 Transition to Afghan Control in 2014. Perspectives from Subnational Level in Afghanistan This paper by Integrity Watch in Afghanistan discusses the current transition in the country by looking at sub-national level governance reforms. Recommended Reading Advancing Health By Enhancing Capabilities: An Agenda For Equitable Global Governance This report examines key aspects of the global governance system and its relationship with public health. It concludes with the argument that the ability of global governance for health to shape interests, weigh competing interests and influence thinking in broader global governance and policy could be strengthened by incorporating a philosophical foundation– the capability approach articulated by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum–as its basis. Progresividad y eficacia del gasto público en México: Precondición para una política recaudatoria efectiva Este trabajo explora cómo se puede incrementar el ingreso fiscal, sobre todo a partir de un aumento en la recaudación de los sectores de ingresos más altos. La primera parte describe cuál es la situación en México en términos de la capacidad que tiene el gobierno para recaudar. En la segunda sección se analiza por qué en México no se ha podido incrementar la recaudación en más de dos décadas, a pesar de las diversas reformas fiscales que se han implementado y de que a partir del año 2000 un partido político distinto al PRI ganó la Presidencia. La tercera sección esboza qué estrategias podría haber seguido el recién iniciado presidente Peña Nieto para incrementar los ingresos y hacerlo de forma progresiva, así como las razones de por qué optó por un aumento de la recaudación del Impuesto Sobre la Renta (ISR), lo cual en principio puede ser progresivo, aunque vino acompañado por varios impuestos indirectos claramente regresivos, y sin que cambiara de manera importante la forma en la que se ejerce el gasto público. Upcoming Events Innovating the Public Sector: From Ideas to Impact On 12-13 November 2014 the OECD will organize a conference where participants will try out new technologies; learn how innovators have transformed their ideas into successful innovations; and discuss with experts and senior government leaders how to support public sector capacity for innovation. The conference will bring together public sector practitioners, researchers, civil society, and businesses to discuss how innovation can help solve today's complex challenges. **For issues related to this newsletter, please contact Rocío Campos @ [email protected]. ** 3