YOUR RIGHT, YOUR ROLE: SAY NO TO CORRUPTION


The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the European Union (EU) in Lebanon, launched a monthly web series with civil society representatives and independent experts titled “Knowledge for Accountability”.


The 2021 global campaign themed “Your right, your role: say no to corruption” highlights the role of stakeholders and individuals in preventing and countering corruption to contribute to sustainable development.
The series also draws on UNDP’s partnership with Executive Magazine to expand the reach of a national dialogue on systemic corruption challenges in Lebanon and the paths to overcome them, all through evidence-based analyses and forward-looking recommendations.

The series will examine key anti-corruption reform issues and priorities in the country. These include public procurement, asset recovery, anti-illicit enrichment, forensic Audit, banking secrecy and the declaration of assets and interests by public officials, among others. The aim is to contribute to raising public awareness and bridging the knowledge gap on these important topics, which are key to the ongoing debate and efforts on reform, recovery, and reconstruction in Lebanon. Each episode will provide accessible and actionable information on a specific topic, in a manner that allows citizens and non-specialized viewers to formulate their own positions, track progress and identify elements for additional advocacy and follow up.
The designated guest speakers will be reflecting on the existing legal framework for each topic, including recent reforms when applicable, in addition to the state of implementation of related laws, and the next steps needed to see through concrete results for the people of Lebanon.

Episode 1: Corruption in public procurement

Moderator: Yasser Akkaoui
Experts: Ms. Lamia Moubayed ; Dr. Andre Sleiman



In the first episode of the series entitled #Knowledge4Accountability, moderated by Yasser Akkaoui, Editor-in-chief of Executive magazine, the President of Basil Fuleihan Institute Ms. Lamia Moubayed and DRI Director Dr. Andre Sleiman address public procurement in Lebanon, the process leading to the enactment of the most recent law #244, the role of CSOs in fine tuning it, as well as the prerequisites for the effective implementation of this law on both national and local levels.
This series of talks is part of the new partnership between UNDP and the European Union to support anti-corruption reforms and the inclusive, effective and coordinated implementation of the country’s first-ever national anti-corruption strategy (2020-2025) adopted in May last year.

Episode 2: The asset and interest declaration system in Lebanon

Moderator: Layal Bou Moussa
Experts: H.E. Damianos Kattar; Me. Karim Daher



The second episode of the series entitled #Knowledge4Accountability, moderated by the investigative journalist Layal Bou Moussa, our experts, former OMSAR minister H.E. Damianos Kattar, and the President of ALDIC Me. Karim Daher, address the asset and interest declaration system in Lebanon, as established by Law#189/2020, the process leading to its enactment, as well as the prerequisites for the effective implementation of this law.
This series of talks is part of the new partnership between UNDP, DANDA and the European Union to support anti-corruption reforms and the inclusive, effective and coordinated implementation of the country’s first-ever national anti-corruption strategy (2020-2025) adopted in May 2020.

Episode 3: Progress in the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy

Moderator: Arkan El Seblani
Experts: Mrs. Najla Riachi; Mr. Karim Daher



The third episode of the series entitled #Knowledge4Accountability is moderated by Arkan El Seblani, UNDP Regional Chief Advisor, the Minister of State for Administrative Reform Mrs. Najla Riachi, and President of ALDIC Attorney Karim Daher. The discussion delves into the importance of the strategy as a living document providing a road map for reform and recovery, the embedded legislations and models within, as well as the role of each stakeholders in leveraging its implementation. This series is part of the new partnership between UNDP, DANIDA and the EU to support anti-corruption reforms and the inclusive, effective and coordinated implementation of the country’s first-ever national anti-corruption strategy (2020-2025) adopted in May 2020.

Episode 4: Will the forensic audit achieve the desired result?

Moderator: Mahassen Moursel
Experts: Dr Myriam Mehanna; Dr. Mohammad Jezzini



The fourth episode of the series entitled #Knowledge4Accountability is moderated by Mahassen Moursel, an economic journalist, hosting Dr. Myriam Mehanna, Researcher at the Legal Agenda, and Dr. Mohammad Jezzini, expert in Economic and Financial Affairs. The discussion delves into the contribution that the audit may offer all across the path to reform and recovery, as well as the required setup and role of the international community, donors, inter-governmental agencies and local CSOs and watchdogs allowing proper enforcement of the audit process by consultancy firms and the government. This series is part of the new partnership between UNDP, DANIDA and the EU to support anti-corruption reforms and the inclusive, effective and coordinated implementation of the country’s first-ever national anti-corruption strategy (2020-2025) adopted in May 2020.

Episode 5: National Anti-Corruption Institution: Opportunities and Challenges

Moderator: : Rania Haidar
Experts: Mr. Anouar Ben Khalifa; Mr. Julien Courson



The fifth episode of the series entitled #Knowledge4Accountability is moderated by Rania Haidar, a journalist specialized in Public Affairs, hosting Mr. Anouar Ben Khalifa, Senior Expert at UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Arab States, and Mr. Julien Courson, Executive Director of the Lebanese Transparency Association (LTA). The discussion delves into the role of the National Anti-Corruption Institution (NACI) which was appointed in January 2022, the respective prerogatives, the foreseen challenges, and addresses how would NACI benefit from the experience of other regional and international counterparts. This series is part of the new partnership between UNDP, DANIDA and the EU to support anti-corruption reforms and the inclusive, effective and coordinated implementation of the country’s first-ever national anti-corruption strategy (2020-2025) adopted in May 2020.

Episode 6: the role of the private sector in curbing corruption, promoting good governance, and establishing accountability

Moderator: : Yasser Akkaoui
Experts: Ms. Nicola Ehlermann; and Mr. Nicolas Bou Khater



The sixth episode of the series entitled #Knowledge4Accountability is moderated by Yasser Akkaoui, Editor-in-Chief of the Executive Magazine, hosting Ms. Nicola Ehlermann, International Development and Anti-Corruption Expert, and Mr. Nicolas Bou Khater, President of the Lebanese Business Leaders Association. The discussion delves into the role of the private sector in curbing corruption, promoting good governance, and establishing accountability. This series is part of the new partnership between UNDP, DANIDA and the EU to support anti-corruption reforms and the inclusive, effective and coordinated implementation of the country’s first-ever national anti-corruption strategy (2020-2025) adopted in May 2020.