ALGIERS – Monday, 23 October 2023 (APS) – The Algerian Transparency Network “We Watch Over You” was officially launched, on Monday, in Algiers, as a new mechanism aimed at activating the role of civil society and strengthening its effectiveness in preventing and fighting corruption.
The announcement of the network creation and the official launch of its digital platform took place during “a national day”. It was organized at the Higher Institute of Management and Planning in Bordj El Kiffan by the High Authority for Transparency, Prevention, and Fight against Corruption, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, Local Authorities and National Planning, and in coordination with the National Civil Society Observatory.
The meeting gathered nearly 350 representatives of civil society and local authorities in person and by videoconference.
The High Authority for Transparency, Prevention and Fight against Corruption established an action plan under which international consultations on key practices involving civil society in the prevention and fight against corruption took place, in coordination with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Algeria.
Moreover, national consultations were held on establishing an interactive network, aiming at involving civil society and promoting its activities in preventing and fighting corruption.
The Algerian network “We Watch Over You” is an additional mechanism of an integrated system established by the country’s high authorities for the prevention and fight against corruption. In this regard, it networks civil society players through “a digital platform” in coordination with the High Authority for transparency, prevention and fight against corruption to promote transparency and integrity in the communities concerned with the implementation of public policies.
The network’s missions include encouraging civil society and media participation in the prevention and fight against corruption, raising awareness about corruption’s risks and harms; training and upgrading skills of trainers, in addition to conducting surveys to evaluate corruption perception levels.
The High Authority for Transparency, Prevention, and Fight against Corruption relies heavily on “We Watch Over You” and aims to make this network “an optimal practice” to promote through regional and international mechanisms, particularly the UNDP and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).