The State of Anticorruption Efforts: Lessons from Latin America

“The State of Anticorruption Efforts: Lessons from Latin America” conference, presented by the Oscar M. Ruebhausen Fund & Latino Law Students Association, will analyze the state of anticorruption efforts in Latin America, looking at cases and factors that may contribute to better outcomes, and debating how much the new developments are sustainable or the product of critical junctures. In the region, many countries, corruption became a permanent topic on the public agenda. A growing frustration with the pervasiveness of corruption has arisen in Latin America, casting doubt on the resilience of democratic regimes that have not controlled the use of bribery, graft and kickbacks in the public and private sectors. Although the region has experienced sequential scandals in the last several years, there is an optimistic view that, this time, the outcome will be different. Commentators are highlighting new factors which seem to be coming into play: higher engagement of civil society and the media; new technological tools; improved national legal frameworks to deal with corruption, as well as acceptance of international anti-corruption treaties; bold actions taken by prosecutors and the judiciary, using newly strengthened laws; and growing international cooperation in both investigations and asset recovery. (see full schedule)