As part of Global Integrity’s effort to promote concrete policy dialogue around the findings from the recently released Global Integrity Report: 2010, Global Integrity is offering interested governments the opportunity to host a Global Integrity Dialogue Workshop in their country at no cost. We are seeking partners in government who are interested in engaging in a one-day workshop to discuss Global Integrity’s most recent data and reporting for the country and to develop practical reform proposals based on those results.  Details on our Dialogue Workshops and how to apply are below.

Background: Global Integrity Dialogue Workshops were launched in 2007 as a channel through which local stakeholders – including government, civil society organizations, the media, and the private sector – could use Global Integrity reporting and data about a country to engage in an evidence-based debate about realistic transparency and accountability reforms in the short- and medium-term. In most workshops, our objectives have been to:

1. Convene stakeholders from the government, donor community (where relevant), media, the private sector, and civil society to discuss the findings of the most recent Global Integrity assessment for the country;
2. Stimulate a discussion amongst attendees on the policy implications stemming from the assessment, including potential short- and medium-term reforms that could realistically be achieved;
3. Facilitate an agreed set of conclusions/recommendations that can be used as political leverage by all stakeholders to push ahead with reform efforts.

Most workshops are structured along the following lines:

• An introduction by Global Integrity – How we do our work, the use of local experts in the assessment process, and our non-advocacy approach to generating data and information. 
• A review of the Global Integrity assessment for the country – Major findings, comparative analysis in relation to other countries studied, and possible policy implications.
• A discussion and debate of those results – An opportunity for participants to comment on the data and reporting and suggest alternative conclusions that can be drawn from the assessment.
• Working group sessions – Attendees work to develop recommendations to present to the larger group.
• Final conclusions – Following reports back from the working groups, participants work to agree upon a series of non-binding conclusions and recommendations on ways forward.  Global Integrity circulates those conclusions following completion of the workshop to all attendees.

Media outreach can also be a part of the day’s events when desired.  Results from previous Dialogue workshops can be found here.

Who we are looking for: Global Integrity is seeking a lead interlocutor with the following characteristics from governments covered in the Global Integrity Report: 2010:

• Demonstrated interest in the transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption agenda in the country.
• Ability to secure buy-in from other key stakeholders within the government to engage in the workshop.
• Willingness to help develop a list of attendees for the Dialogue workshop. Attendees should ideally be a diverse mix of public sector stakeholders; civil society experts; media practitioners; private sector stakeholders with an interest in and commitment to transparency and anti-corruption reforms; faith-based leaders; and academics with a strong interest in the issues. Depending on the country context, external aid donors may also be appropriate attendees.
• Willingness to assist Global Integrity with logistical coordination in advance of the workshop (e.g. venue reservations).

What Global Integrity will provide:

• All workshop preparation and materials (analysis, handouts, workbooks).
• 1-2 senior Global Integrity staff to moderate the workshop (including all travel costs).
• Financial support to cover the costs of the workshop venue, including translation (if necessary) and meals & refreshments for the one-day event.

What Global Integrity will not provide:

• Travel expenses for anyone other than Global Integrity staff to attend the workshop
• Per diem for anyone attending the workshop.

How to apply: Although the eventual workshops will include a range of stakeholders from both in and outside of the public sector, Global Integrity is actively seeking initial expressions of interest from government interlocutors within the executive, legislative, and/or judicial branches.

Ideal expressions of interest will demonstrate the applicant’s (or applicant’s office, bureau, and/or ministry) commitment to the issues covered in a Dialogue Workshop; applicant’s proposal for how the results of the Workshop could be used for actual policymaking following the conclusion of the workshop; applicant’s ability to convene colleagues from within and outside of the public sector to participate in the workshop; and applicant’s thoughts on how best to structure the workshop given the particular country context.  Expressions of interest may take the form of an email message or brief memo (no more than 3 pages). We value substance and creativity over format.

Expressions of interest should be emailed directly to the Global Integrity Managing Director, Nathaniel Heller, at info@globalintegrity.org. Submissions will be acknowledged upon receipt. Other questions may also be emailed to info@globalintegrity.org, or you may call our office at +1-202-449-4100.

Deadline: All expressions of interest must be received by June 20, 2011. The selection of the “winning” Dialogue Workshops will be announced in July 2011.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many attendees participate in a Dialogue Workshop?

A: We have conducted effective workshops with as few as 10 participants and as many as 75 participants.  The ideal size is typically between 25 and 35 participants.

Q: Do I need to secure formal interagency sign-off from other departments/ministries/agencies before applying?

A: No, but we would like to ensure that we (Global Integrity) are welcomed and will not face hostility from other stakeholders within government.

Q: What have been some of the positive results from previous workshops?

A: Previous workshops have ended with new and inventive ways of civil society groups collaborating with government to promote more effective access to government information; strategies for adapting international anti-corruption laws and regulations to the local context; and local private sector stakeholders being meaningfully brought into the policy making process around transparency and accountability reforms.

Q: Will I need to prepare anything for the workshop myself?

A: Not unless you would like to make a presentation. We warmly welcome others’ input but are also comfortable taking responsibility for running the bulk of the day’s sessions. We can hand off certain portions of the day to others where there is expressed interest.

Q: What countries were covered in the Global Integrity Report: 2010; am I eligible to apply?

A: Albania, Angola, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Malaysia, Moldova, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkey, West Bank and Yemen.

Q: How many Dialogue Workshops will you choose to conduct after receiving expressions of interest?

A: We will have the resources to conduct 1-2 workshops following review of the expressions of interest.