Conference Call of 26 July 2012
Participants: Vincent Lazatin (VL), Eric Gutierrez (EG), Gillian Dell (GD), Uche Igwe (UI), Maud Perdriel Vaissiere (MPV), Saad Meknassi (SM), Slagjana Taseva (ST)
Moderator: Lizzie Johnson (LJ)
Short report from Gillian on feedback from the Finnish delegation about the Implementation Review Group briefing for CSOs, June 2012: Finnish delegate concerned that we ruffled feathers through naming countries and thought that there was some unnecessary treading on toes. The Russian delegation complained to Dimitri Vlassis of UNODC. We should expect efforts to ensure that the CSO briefing at the IRG next year is shorter, without translation, not in as comfortable a room, and possibly not accepting our written submissions and generally rolling it back. The Finnish delegate expects that TI may be particularly targeted because so many representatives spoke.
The CCC discussed how to smooth relations and boost chances of CSOs being granted observer status at the IRG:
- ACTION: Write to UNODC to express thanks and make proposals for structuring IRG meetings in future.
- ACTION: Consider how far to adapt to the UN Vienna context in future.
- ACTION: Prepare an evaluation of the previous briefing an guidelines for future meetings
Agenda Items:
1. Review of 21 June CCC in-person strategy meeting
Short report on the 21 June meeting in Vienna from the Chair, Vincent Lazatin: Discussed what the Coalition is about, and its direction in terms of membership. Considered possible activities in the lead up to the 5th COSP in 2013 in Panama and identified key dates leading to the CoSP for advocacy work such as the UNTOC COP, IRG sessions and IACC.
Additional suggestions were made, including from members not present in Vienna:
- Coalition has key role as resource centre. – develop resource section of Coalition website
- Develop background papers on various topics for the Coalition to enable strong, unified voice
- Try to involve the Coalition in more corruption related events and conferences to raise profile, build capacity and meet further potential partners
- Give priority to the push for observer status at the IRG
CCC discussed delegation of tasks between members of the CCC. Confirmed that Christian Aid/Eric Gutierrez will conduct survey of Coalition members. Considered possibility of forming sub-groups of the CCC based on activities i.e. a policy paper group, a donor meeting group etc. Aim for more than one person on any given topic. Agreed the following actions:
- ACTION: Each CCC member to communicate with Government delegate they have access to, and feed info into Coalition strategy and discussions
- ACTION: CCC to provide feedback by email on 21 June notes by Wed 01 August
- ACTION: Set-up sub-groups to focus on issues. Begin with top priority in August
2. Review of 22 June CCC in-person internal business meeting, in Vienna
CCC discussed the meeting notes from the internal business meeting including scheduling of phone calls; importance of annual information sheet & online option. The CCC noted that the submission of annual information sheets remains to be a condition for voting in Coalition elections
- ACTION: LJ to create doodle and circulate to CCC to establish dates for conference calls to the end of the year
- ACTION: CCC to submit further comments on 22 June meeting notes to LJ by Wednesday 01 August
- ACTION: LJ to announce extension of time for annual information sheet and to work on development of possibility of submitting sheet online and change in date for submission
3. Coalition social media and blogging
Short update on Coalition social media: Twitter login details have been circulated and CCC made administrators of Facebook group. All encouraged to regularly make posts and updates.
The CCC discussed the Coalition website and blogging and importance of wider involvement in tasks, including CCC responsibility for driving use of social media and blog, taking account of libel risks. Aim for 1 or 2 blogs a month.
- ACTION: Uche to coordinate writing and uploading of 1 – 2 blogs per month. Coalition Secretariat to review blog posts and could send to pro bono libel lawyer for review if necessary
- ACTION: CCC to send regular updates social media – Facebook and Twitter
4. CCC conference calls times and dates
The CCC discussed organising the time of the calls differently to take account of different time zones better. CC felt that 1 or 2 hours later would be better for conference calls.
- ACTION: LJ to create and circulate a doodle for meeting scheduling over the next few months.
Next Conference Call
Proposed as Thursday 16 August