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Forests

ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSIONS AS A TOOL FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE

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Almost every country has tried decentralization, unfortunately, the results have mostly been poor.  When it comes to decentralization of the forest sector in particular, the results are even worse—in almost all cases, decentralization has failed to improve forest management, income equality, and the empowerment of local people. The reasons for failure are varied, but where decentralization has been successful it is because governance is sufficiently strong to ensure public accountability.  This briefing examines one of the most common tools to drive such accountability: anti-corruption commissions, i.e., ‘watchdog’ agencies with the specific purpose of minimizing corruption by focusing on the prevention, investigation and prosecution of corrupt offences, and the education of the public on the adverse consequences of corruption.