By Linda Straker
“Strengthening integrity commissions, and anti-corruption bodies in the commonwealth Caribbean,” is the theme for the inaugural conference of Integrity Commissions and Anti-Corruption Bodies in the Commonwealth which will be held in Grenada from 22 June 2015.
Initiated by the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, the purpose of the Conference is to discuss the establishment of a Commonwealth Caribbean Association of Integrity Commissions and Anti-Corruption Bodies. Grenada’s Integrity Commission is hosting the event which will be held at the Grenadian by Rex Resorts.
OAS and UN observers will join more than 30 delegates from abroad, which includes persons from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Guyana, to participate in the one-week conference which will conclude on 26 June. 20 Grenadians are also expected to participate in the event which will focus on “Issues and challenges of corruption control in small states.”
Administrative Manager at Grenada Integrity Commission office, Mrs Eunice Sandy–David, said that there will representatives from Commonwealth Caribbean territories with units established for the purpose of enforcing Anti-corruption in Public Life legislations.
“Some of these offices go by different names, but they were all established as a result of the countries tailoring the Inter-American Convention against Corruption to align with the territory’s legislation,” explained Sandy–David.
Each participating country will be presenting a country paper, while there will be presentations from non-Caribbean commonwealth members. Among the non-Caribbean speakers will be Dr Edward Hoseah from Tanzania.
Chairman of the Constitution Review Constitution Advisory Committee, Dr Francis Alexis, will presenting on: “Constitutional administration law arrangement flowing from the Integrity Commission.”
The Opening Ceremony is scheduled to take place on Monday at the Rex Grenadian from 7 pm to 9 pm. Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell will be the featured speaker, while Governor-General Dame Cécile La Grenade will declare the conference open.
Grenada’s Integrity Commission became fully operational in November 2013 and is Chaired by Justice Dame Monica Joseph. There are seven other commissioners. The Integrity in Public Life requires for all person in the public service earning more than EC$2,000 per month to declare their assets to the Commission Office.
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