USAID, HIDAA Support Role of Media and Civil Society in Fight Against Corruption

USAID, HIDAA Support Role of Media and Civil Society in Fight Against Corruption

Vlora, January 29, 2009     Today, USAID’s Rule of Law Program, in partnership with the High Inspectorate of Declarations of Audits and Assets (HIDAA), held a workshop on Conflict of Interest (COI) and Asset Declarations in Vlora. This is the second workshop sponsored by USAID and HIDAA that has aimed to increase knowledge of the laws that govern conflicts of interest and declaration of assets and the cooperation of civil society and media in detecting and denouncing cases of public corruption.

The workshop was attended by representatives from local civil society organizations, journalists and local government discussed from four local municipalities and communes of Fier and Vlora.

Delivering opening remarks, USAID’s program director, Mr. Fred Yeager, encouraged participants in their roles to investigate and denounce corruption of public officials.

“Civic involvement in exposing and preventing such cases will help and support HIDAA in their efforts to administer the laws relating to COI and Asset Declarations and to minimize corruption,” said Yeager.

In his remarks, Mr. Llalla, General Inspector of HIDAA, acknowledged the importance of local organizations and media in fostering transparency and accountability of public officials.

USAID’s program works with courts, oversight institutions like HIDAA, and watchdog organizations to fight corruption in Albania’s public sector.

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