(Sofia 4-6 December 2002)

On 4-6 December 2002 the International Association of Professional and Business Women in Bulgaria(IAPBWB) organized in close cooperation with Norwegian partners and in partnership with the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria (AmCham – Bulgaria) an international networking seminar on “Professional & Business Women Against Corruption- Practical Aspects”. 

The IAPBWB applied integrated approach, bringing together Bulgarian and international partners - professional and business women’s associations, Government officials, experts and other interested international actors.

19,30 - Welcome cocktail -hosted by the IAPBWB

9,15 - Practical aspects of law enforcement measures against corruption in Bulgaria – presentation by Mr. Boiko Kotsev – Deputy Minister of the Interior of Bulgaria

9,30 – Fighting Corruption – The Norwegian Experience : Presentation by Mr. Terje Ingstad Senior adviser at the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Justice

10,00 - “Coalition 2000” and its practical experience with the implementation of anticorruption recommendations – presentation by Martin Dimov : “National research on problems of MSE’s in Bulgaria”

10,15.- Fighting corruption – Ms. Karen Kramer –US Embassy in Sofia, Resident Legal Adviser of the US Department of Justice 

10,30 - Coffee Break

10,45 - Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe its anticorruption efforts - 2 years after, results and future steps – presentation by SP National Coordinator Ambassador Vladimir Filipov

11,00 - The role of business and professional ethics (codes of ethic norms) in reducing corrupt practices - presentation by Mr. Valentin Georgiev Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria

11,15 - Professional & business networks’ contribution – can we help to counter the negative effects of unfair practices with innovative tools–Internet presentation of IAPBWB.

11,30 - The role of media in combating corruption – presentation by a lead journalist from Bulgarian media.

12,00 – Discussion moderated by IAPBWB moderator

12,30 - End of Plenary Session

12,45 – Lunch

14,00 – 16,00 Workshop session

14,00 – Workshop: Anticorruption contribution of professional and business women:

Brainstorming discussion

15,45- Coffee break
16,00- Presentation by Irene Erhardt-Waestberg -TIAW European co-ordinator - “The Power of Networking” and World caf?

18,00 – End of working part of the day

19,30 – International Executive & Business Women Networking Dinner (withshort notes from representatives of the international networks presented)

9,30 – Closing Plenary session

Play video from Plenary Session

Corruption means requesting, offering, giving or accepting, directly or indirectly, a bribe or any other undue advantage or prospect thereof, which distorts the proper performance of any duty or behavior required of the recipient of the bribe, the undue advantage or the prospect thereof. 

The World Bank defines corruption as:

The offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any thing of value to influence the action of a public official in the procurement process or in contract execution. 

Group clarification:

The “glass ceiling” has two sides. The “glass ceiling” can incite corruption on the side of the woman. She might be provoked to offer services or favors to the manager in order to break through the glass ceiling. 

Women should participate in the decision making process. If women took a stronger role in the decision making process, they will help combat corruption, as women are less corrupt. 

When women enter the decision making process, the whole process is changed. That is difficult, because it is tough to change traditions.

Men are judged by their material gains. Women are more interested in the social care-taking role. 

Both men and women need to lobby for the solution of these problems. 

4) Can new technology reduce corruption and how?

Technology is not a solution by itself, but it is a tool to reduce corruption. Procedures can be made more transparent by technology. You can reduce corruption by reducing or eliminating the human factor. Transparency, publicity and accessibility are key. 

New technology is good for women, because it is objective and promotes equality. 

Technology saves time and women can manage taking care of the family and advancing in her job. 

There will be less corruption with the automation of procedures. 

Trade over the Internet will reduce corruption. To buy and sell online is a good possibility to reduce corruption by eliminating the middleman. 

Links between the customs, police and the authorities will reduce crime and corruption. 

If technology can provide an opportunity for people to remain anonymous, they can report cases of corruption. You have access to information over the Internet, and information is power. 

 

SECOND WORKSHOP – “The Power of Networking”

POINTS OF ACTION

Presentation by Irene Erhardt-Waestberg

-- Because, we do believe we can achieve changes. 

-- We have no time to lose. 

Change involves two things – awareness and action.

The participants in the IAPBWB Seminar came up with the following action points for combating corruption:

Stop being passive: organize a group, there is strength in numbers.

“Tell”– do not accept wrong doing; talk about it, ask questions.

Educate your families and your colleagues that corruption is wrong.

Be a good example – do not engage in corrupt practices.

Do not work with corrupt organizations/companies.

Do business and network with ethical people – make unethical people feel isolated.

Ask for paper work – put everything in writing, it is a good tool against corruption.

Identify the right people in the state authorities to talk to. Ensure access to the decision-makers.

Write a letter to the Prime Minister, the President, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of State Administration, and the Minister of Interior. Inform them about the results of the conference and ask them what they intend to do to combat corruption. Invite them to participate in the next conference “The Power of Networking” 2003.

Find a journalist willing to take up the cause against corruption and ensure publicity.

Invest ourselves – gather information, network. 

Find useful partners – international and local organizations and networks

Get qualified training. 

Develop a website: www.anticorruption-online.org and promote it as an independent source of information and develop a chat room for exchange of information. 

Encourage people to share experiences – organize e-mail campaigns. 

Play video from Workshops and Closing Session 

 

The IAPBWB Seminar reached its goals - it increased awareness in Bulgaria and wider internationally to the negative effects of corrupt practices and made the voice of professional and business women on this issue heard by the authorities. It helped identify possible practical answers on how executive women networks can help reduce detrimental corrupt behaviours using their unique networking know-how and capacity. 

Its follow-up activities in 2003 will include an Assessment of Responsiveness Evaluation (ARE) and other measurable anticorruption efforts.