Conference Call of 20 September 2012
Participants: Eric Gutierrez (EG), Gillian Dell (GD), Melissa Lawson (ML), Uche Igwe (UI), Saad Meknassi (SM), Ezequiel Nino (EN)
Apologies: Babatunde Oluajo (BO), Vincent Lazatin (VL), Slagjana Taseva (ST), Gladwell Otieno (GO), Maud Perdriel (MP), Vijayanand Murugesan (VM)
Moderator: Sophia Coles (SC)
Agenda Items
1. Change of UNCAC Coalition assistant at TI-S
SC introduced herself as the intern in the Conventions team. She will be handling some of the work of the UNCAC Coalition assistant for this interim period between Lizzie Johnson’s departure from TI-S and the arrival of her replacement, Kristen Brand. Kristen will start work on 8 October 2012.
2. Planning for IACC Brazil
CCC discussed the possible activities at the IACC.
- It was noted that there is insufficient funding to cover all the CCC members costs
- CCC agreed that they would try and arrange a forum (minimum attendance 8) at the IACC, and if that is not possible then simply arrange a meeting.
- SM felt it was important to have a strong presence in Brazil. He suggested that the CCC have two different sessions, the one with the UNODC and one without the UNODC to network with other stakeholders, the second being more relevant at the IACC. GD suggested that the second session would probably have to be an informal meeting.
- EN noted that it would be important to use this time to prepare for the Panama COSP and to discuss plans with other NGOs.
- The possibility of arranging a skype or tele-conference call in Brazil to ensure that everyone could participate was raised by ML and supported by SM.
Attendees of in person meeting at IACC (of total 12):
- (7) Definite/almost definite: VL, GD, MP, EN, BO, SM (workshop proposal selected, not clear if he will go), UI (willing to go but funding dependant).
- (4) Possible or unknown: VM, EG (will know for sure next week), GO (possible), ST (unknown).
- Unable to attend: ML
It is possible that Babatunde, Saad and Gladwell will be funded by UNODC to attend.
UPDATE: The UNCAC Coalition’s proposed ‘fishbowl’ session was accepted. But it will be merged with UNODC’s session on ‘how civil society can work with the private sector to promote UNCAC and UNCAC review’. GD suggested that the CCC could use the workshop to talk about preventative measures and the COSP. It is important that all the committee members join this workshop.
UPDATE: TI and Maud have a merged workshop which is about ‘addressing grand corruption’. GD suggested that the CCC should attend and use it to promote UNCAC messaging.
UPDATE: There will be an UNCAC stand at the IACC. Volunteers will have to be recruited to man the stand and distribute literature.
UPDATE: UNODC will hold a one day training before the COSP. They plan to bring 15 NGOs from Latin America to the COSP.
- ACTION: Confirm who will be attending the IACC
- ACTION: Decide whether members will be allowed to send substitutes to CCC meetings
- ACTION: Compose a list of planned CCC activities at the IACC, including volunteers and attendees
- ACTION: Ensure that the UNCAC & UNODC workshop is on the agenda for the next Conference Call
3 & 4. Potential pre-COSP advocacy initative – ‘No Impunity’ & Update – statement on asset recovery
UPDATE: At meeting in Vienna the CCC decided upon two possible initiatives – No Impunity and Access to Information. TI are in discussions about a possible ‘No Impunity’ initiative for 2013.
GD suggested that focus of the CCC’s pre-COSP advocacy work should be on anti-money laundering and asset recovery and perhaps access to enforcement data – the coalition have expertise in these areas and it connects with MP’s ongoing work on asset recovery.
UPDATE: MP has circulated a draft statement on asset recovery. It will be sent to state parties to get their feedback. A final statement at the IACC could be used to launch pre-COSP advocacy. MP is preparing a promotion strategy and a briefing note to accompany the statement.
EN and SM felt that it would be more effective if the CCC focus their COSP advocacy on ‘No Impunity’ as a big theme rather than focus on narrower topics.
- ACTION: No Impunity initiative concept note to be distributed soon by GD for CCC member feedback and suggestions as to how they can be involved.
- ACTION: Discuss advocacy aims further at later date
5. Update: The Working Group for Prevention and Asset Recovery
The Working Group on Article 13 is currently quite inactive.
Prior to the August meeting of the Working Group on Prevention an email was sent to Dimitri Vlassis (DV) by TI-S in collaboration with a representative of the Finnish Government, requesting that CSOs should observe the meeting. DV replied rejecting the possibility of CSO participation.
Discussions are ongoing about the exclusion of CSOs. It is important that the CCC keep updated on this issue because the WG will determine the review process for the next 5 years which will focus on prevention and the coalition will want to input here.
Additional Update: There are a lot of discussions ongoing with NGOs in Vienna, New York and Geneva about the issues of how CSO access to information and meetings is being handled in these different UN centres; there is notable inconsistency between them. It seems the most restrictive is the UNODC and meetings relating to UNCAC. GD is going to Vienna for a joint training with UNODC then to the UNTOC COP where the access of CSOs to UN information and meetings will be discussed.
- ACTION: Willing CCC members who want to attend the Vienna meetings (week commencing 15 October 2012) should get in contact with GD
- ACTION: These issues will be taken up again.
6. Fundraising
UPDATE: GD circulated the draft grant proposal from UNODC for three and a half day training for CSOs on 8 October. An invitation for applications was sent to the Coalition – mainly targeting African and Asian NGOs, but there will be some European NGOs will be attending. It will follow a similar programme as South Africa.
CCC agreed that the idea of using USD 10,000 of the grant to make a video at the IACC about civil society working with the private sector was a good idea.
SM wished to participate in the video if possible. EN recommended that NGO – Cuarto Oscuro, should work on the video. www.cuartooscuro.org
The search for new funding possibilities is an important priority. UNDEF funding for UNCAC Coalition is running low.
- ACTION: GD is preparing a concept note for a funding proposal.
- ACTION: Investigate further the possibility of a video in Brazil.
- ACTION: CCC members to investigate new funding possibilities
7. Blogging
UI is putting together a group of people who indicated that they wanted to write blogs. Next step is to work out a timetable and circulate it among members.
- ACTION: SC to work with UI on the blogs, e.g. helping with editing and libel checks
- ACTION: Any CCC members interested in getting involved should contact UI or the Secretariat.
8. Regional Coordinators
UPDATE: CCC decided to continue with 3 of the 4 regional coordinators (Saad Meknassi, Maureen Kariuki and Preap Kol).
General questions have been raised amongst the coalition committee that more clarification about who can represent the coalition is needed.
If the resources are available from within the CCC to undertake the selection process, it would be great if more regional coordinators could be appointed.
SM would prefer to continue work as a regional coordinator on a voluntary basis so that the 1000 USD could be a grant to his organisation rather than a personal payment.
- ACTION: CCC members with any thoughts on who should represent the Coalition or about the content of codes of conduct for those who are selected to represent the Coalition should share their proposals with the CCC.
- ACTION: CCC members who are able to undertake the recruitment of more regional coordinators should make themselves known.
- ACTION: Draft message to Kama should be checked and sent
9. Additional Agenda Item: Membership profiles
EG noted some delay in sending out the information but said it will be distributed in the next two weeks for CCC members to read through and provide feedback.
Next Conference Call
Thursday 25 October