Speakers on Anti-Corruption/Corporate Governance

Session: Lunch Speech
Time: Wednesday, 1215 hrs
Speaker: Mats Isaksson, OECD
Topic: OECD Principles and the Challenges of Corporate Governance

In setting global standards in anti-corruption and corporate governance the OECD has emerged as the leader in establishing criteria and providing benchmarks for successful policies in these areas. Mr. Isaksson will provide an overview of the OECD principles of corporate governance, and provide his insights regarding their importance within the framework of competitiveness and the new global economy.

Session: Background Briefing
Time: Wednesday, March 27--1330 hrs
Speaker: Ian Byrne, Standard and Poor's London
Topic: Form and Substance: Corporate Governance Assessment of Companies

One of the key challenges in implementing good governance is making the leap from the policy level to the boardroom. While codes of corporate governance, and regulation play a vital role in promoting better governance, companies must be able to understand how to adapt and implement these procedures at the company level, and investors must be able to determine a companies compliance. Mr. Byrne will discuss this challenge and report on how S&P's corporate governance rating system for companies helps promote good governance and investor confidence.

Session: Issue-specific Briefing
Time: Wednesday, 1415 hrs
Speaker: Daniel Kaufmann, World Bank
Topic: Prevention as the First Step in Combating Corruption: Reforming Economic
Policies, Institutions and IncentivesM

Quite often corruption is viewed within the framework of its effect on governance and rule of law, however the economic costs of corruption and its corrosive effect on investment and growth. Dr. Kaufmann will review his groundbreaking work assessing the impact of corruption on economic development, and the latest research undertaken by the World Bank in this field.

Speaker: Miklos Marschall, Transparency International
Topic: The Private Sector and Fighting Corruption

The key challenge for developing an effective anti-corruption strategy is understanding the "supply and demand" nature of the transaction, and building effective coalitions to address these issues. Miklos Marschall will discuss how independent organizations and the private sector can work together to forge effective programs addressing corruption.

Speaker: John Sullivan, Center for International Private Enterprise
Topic: Corporate Governance: Transparency Between Government and Business

In many transition economies the linkages between government and business are often blurred, be it through state ownership or crony capitalism, opacity in the business community provides scope for unethical activity within firms, and an unequal and non-competitive business environment. John Sullivan will discuss how improving the governance of companies can both reduce corruption and improve the investment and competitive environment.

Session: The View from The State Department
Time: Wednesday, 1545 hrs
Speaker: John Brandolino or David Luna, US Dept. of State INL Office
Topic: Developments in US Government Policy on Anti-Corruption and Corporate Governance.

As more is learned of the impact of corruption and poor governance on democratic and economic development, US policy is responding with renewed focus and emphasis on these issues. The State Department speaker will present the latest thinking in US policy regarding these issues.

DAY THREE

Session: Keynote
Time: 900 hrs
Speaker: Ivan Miklos, Deputy Prime Minister Slovak Republic
Topic: Competitiveness, Transparency and Public Private Partnerships

If efforts to promote private sector development are to succeed, both government and the business community must learn to work together to create a sound policy environment, which promotes investment, allows for competition, and ensures the rule of law. Ivan Miklos will offer his unique perspectives as both a private sector policy advocate and Deputy Prime Minister, in a review on how government and the private sector must cooperate to build a strong economy and a vital democracy.

Session: Enhancing Corporate Governance and Anti-corruption Initiatives Through Public-Private Partnerships
Time: 915 hrs
Moderator: To be Determined

The Moderator will introduce the subject by referring to the Ivan Miklos presentation and detailing how public private partnerships are fast becoming a recognized and effective tool for policy change. Public/private partnerships not only enhance the development of effective policy, but strengthen democracy, a critical element in successful economic reform. The presenters will discuss concrete approaches to promoting corporate governance and fighting corruption through public-private partnerships.

Speaker: Boris Begovic, Center for Liberal and Democratic Studies, Yugoslavia
Topic: Anti-corruption Efforts and Serbia's Private Sector

For Serbia, corruption is a paralyzing remnant of the Milosevic era, permeating its civil service, and weakening its commercial sector. Dr. Begovic will discuss how corruption is affecting Serbia's economy, and how a new public/private initiative aimed at fighting corruption is being developed.

Speaker: Igor Belikov, Director, Russian Institute of Directors
Topic: Coalition Building to Improve Governance

As the financial collapse of 1998 clearly demonstrated Russia's business communities own governance standards were a decisive contributor to that country's poor competitiveness and corruption. Igor Belikov will discuss how Russia's banking collapse has forced a strategic rethink of governance issues within Russia's business community, and its current efforts to work with government to improve corporate governance standards.

Speaker: Despina Pascal, Romanian National Corporate Governance Task Force
Topic: Corporate Governance Codes of Conduct

In promoting good governance standards, business community "buy-in" and "ownership" become more than just buzz-words, the business community must learn to lead this effort which shapes their future. Despina Pascal will discuss how the Romanian business community has responded to the challenge of building business community awareness and leadership in the corporate governance debate through the creation of a grass-roots education and advocacy program.

Session: Operational Strategies for Improved Corporate Governance
Time: Thursday, 1045 hrs
Speaker: Natalie Jaresko, WestNIS Enterprise Fund
Topic: Experiences and Lessons Learned at the Enterprise Funds

As front-line participants in the battle for economic development, Enterprise Funds, have had a unique experience in working with local companies and examining the impact of poor governance practices on competitiveness. Natalie Jaresko will speak about how poor governance effects enterprise development in the region, and what strategic choices donors should undertake in developing programs which address these issues.

Session: Lunch Speaker/Report From The Field
Time: 1230 hrs
Speaker: Boyko Todorov, Center for the Study of Democracy
Topic: Coalition 2000; A Case Study in Monitoring and Prevention of Corruption

The Coalition 2000 is a unique example of how public private partnerships can be established to help fight corruption. Boyko Todorov will present a case study of how the Coalition 2000 functions and the importance of effective public-private dialogue in policy analysis and reform in fighting corruption.