SEAPAC ~ GOPAC

 

SEA PAC

South East Asian Parlamentarians Against Corruption

About Us

GOPAC - the Global Organization of Parlamentarians Against Corruption - is an international organization with the primary goal of bringing together parlamentarians, leaders and other members of civil Society to combat corruption and promote transparency and accountability in Government. SeaPac is its South East Asian chapter.

Our Philosophy

GOPAC focuses on the following  three objectives to build an effective organization:

  • Peer Support: Every organization needs to support its members and that is especially important for GOPAC and its regional chapters. In some parts of the world, legislators are in fear of their lives if they speak out against corruption. They need to know that they do not stand alone, there are legislators who are prepared to speak out with them and there is strength in numbers. 

  • Education: It is becoming increasingly obvious that there is a serious need for education of parliamentarians on what is their role and responsibilities as parliamentarians. Many parliamentarians are confused and do not understand the separate roles of government and parliament. These are two distinct institutions with totally different roles and responsibilities.

In a democracy, a government has the authority to govern, subject to the approval and oversight of the parliament, which in turn is accountable to the electorate through fair open transparent and competitive elections.

There are four fundamental responsibilities of a parliament in the exercise of oversight of government.

1) To debate, modify, approve or reject legislation.

2) To debate, modify, approve or reject authority for government to raise revenues through taxation and other means.

3) To debate, modify, approve or reject proposed expenditures by government.

4) To hold executive accountable for its governance of society.

Far too often, parliamentarians see their roles as supporting the government at any cost if they are a member of the governing party or opposing the government regardless of the merits of its proposals when they are in opposition.

In a properly functioning democracy, a government is accountable to the parliament as a whole, where the members bring a diversity of opinion to the debate but are still required to exercise their considered judgement on the proposals by government and the performance of government.

  • Clear objectives, measurable results: Members of an organization develop stronger affinity to the organization when they clearly understand what is expected of them. Each Chapter of GOPAC is entitled to identify and develop its own objectives and be accountable for the results.

For example, our Latin American Chapter has chosen to identify the progress (or lack thereof) that their governments have made in introducing the legislation necessary to implement the Santiago Convention Against Corruption. In the Caribbean, the new Chapter has recognized the need to improve the effectiveness of the Public Accounts Committees which are Standing Committees of the Legislature focused on accountability.

Our Services - Product Lines

GOPAC - SEAPAC offer the following services:

For GOPAC’s international programming - known as Global Product Lines - uses Global Working Groups to develop tools and products, as well as to guide major initiatives. This approach enables the Board and Executive to provide parliamentary leadership while accessing professional expertise to support their work. It also provides opportunities for parliamentarians with particular expertise to assist their colleagues and to ensure a good quality and representative product.

The working groups will be supported in two ways: a) communication, consultation and drafting support provided by the GOPAC Secretariat; and b) professional and technical support from organizations with appropriate expertise. Team products will be approved by the Board of Directors, which together with GOPAC membership will advocate and promote their application. The initial agenda includes:

  • Supporting the implementation of the UN Convention Against Corruption - and related regional conventions -over the next 3-5 years. This initiative is co-chaired by Sen Edgardo Angara of the Philippines and the Hon. Londa Esadze, Georgia.

  • Anti Money Laundering Initiative (AMLI) - extending the anti-money laundering regime beyond its current focus – principally in Europe and North America and develop effective strategies that parliamentarians can execute to combat money laundering. AMLI is chaired by Hon. Roy Cullen of Canada. 

  • An updated handbook for parliamentarians on: Controlling Corruption , with the World Bank Institute.

Announcements! Access the SeaPac Bulletin Board - Click below: 

 

First South East Asian Conference of SEAPAC '05

March 31 - April 1, 2005

PICC ~ Manila, Philippines

Click to access the complete: Conference Programme

For more information, access our Newsletter!

         

 

SEAPAC '05 Conference: March 31 - April 1, 2005