Ecuador joins the International Network to fight corruption Alliance for Integrity

Ecuador is part of the International Network against corruption called the Alliance for Integrity. For four years, the National Federation of Chambers of Industries, the Chamber of Industries and Production (CIP) and the German Technical Cooperation GIZ have worked, in coordination with a multidisciplinary team, to integrate Ecuador into the Alliance for Integrity Network, whose Activities in the country are part of the new GIZ Program for the Prevention of Corruption, Transparency and Citizen Participation: Ecuador SinCero.

Ecuador joins the International Network to fight corruption Alliance for Integrity

Pablo Zambrano Albuja, president of the National Federation of Chambers of Industries, highlighted the importance of the fight against corruption in the national context, both in the private and public spheres.

“Organizations must work with ethical coherence to make them sustainable over time. That image, conscience and character allows us to discern the good from the bad and that gives us a competitive advantage. It must work on solid principles to generate virtuous circles in production ”.

While Hubert Mükusch, head of International Cooperation at the German Embassy in Quito, argued that “corruption is an obstacle to the efficient use of public and private resources, it undermines democracy by generating citizen mistrust in institutions.”

Therefore, he stressed that the prevention of corruption and the promotion of transparency are essential to contribute to an economic reactivation in Ecuador.

“The private sector is a key piece for this objective. Joining the network will provide practical compliance solutions to companies and supply chains ”.

Christiane Danne, resident director of the German Technical Cooperation- GIZ Ecuador, stated that after several conversations with the Ecuadorian government, the objective of promoting a program to prevent corruption and promote transparency was articulated, which resulted in the creation of Ecuador Sincere.

Danne stressed that the Federation of Chambers of Industries was the promoter for Ecuador to be part of the Alliance for Integrity, which already works in 19 countries.

“This launch will have an effect on civil society. It is important to think holistically and work together ”.

Culture of integrity

Susanne Friedrich, director of the Alliance for Integrity, explained that with the incorporation of Ecuador to the Network, the macro conditions will be created for a culture of integrity to be produced and for this, public, private and social support is needed.

“Integrity Week in Latin America is a platform for the exchange of experiences, it is a great enrichment for the network and actors already working with the initiative. Receiving new actors and institutions is important. Ecuador with its experience and great professionals will make a significant contribution to the Network ”.

As part of the event, which took place on November 24, the panel “Challenges and opportunities for Ecuador in terms of integrity in a context of uncertainty and economic reactivation” was also held.

There, Evangelina Gómez-Durañona, executive director of the Ecuadorian Consortium for Social Responsibility (CERES), pointed out that “integrity is a challenge for all and that we must face it. The benefit will be the generation of trust. When confidence is given, private investment is attracted that energizes the economy and brings employment ”.

María Elvira Olmos, Head of Compliance for Novartis Andean Region, said that integrity efforts should be carried out together to have better results.

As a representative of the Ecuadorian government, María Fernanda Ordóñez, Undersecretary of Public Administration and Transparency of the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic, participated. , private sector, public sector, academia ”.

Finally, Pablo Zambrano Albuja, who is also president of the Advisory Council of the Alliance for Integrity in Ecuador, highlighted with his personal and institutional commitment to make Ecuador SinCero an effective and sustainable project that includes the contributions of all levels of society. (I)