Government Accountability Project Welcomes Latin America and Caribbean Delegation Through Department of State Visitor Program
By: Sydney Johnson
On June 6, 2023, Government Accountability Project hosted representatives from 11 countries from Latin America and the Caribbean who are part of the International Visitors Leadership Program with the United States Department of State.
This visit from International Visitor Leadership Program focused on Transparency and Accountability in Government. The objectives for the project are to enhance the understanding of underlying principles of ethical systems for accountability in government and business in the United Sates. Additionally, they are working to address international efforts to strengthen the integrity of governments and businesses and examine the effort of transparency on trade, investment, and economic development. The program explores the role of citizens, traditional and new media, academia, and civil society in fostering transparency and accountability in government and highlight mechanisms that enable citizens to foster good governance, ethical standards, and accountability at local, state, and federal levels.
Government Accountability Project works with government and corporate employees who expose corruption within the workplace. After confirming their concerns, the organization works with the whistleblower to develop an effective strategy to both expose the wrongdoing and pursue corrective action and reforms.
During the delegate’s meeting with Government Accountability Project CEO, Louis Clark, participants discussed whistleblower cases Government Accountability Project has represented and legislation the organization has drafted and worked on with Congress. Clark explained the organization is always open to discuss and engage on whistleblower and transparency issues with any nation willing to consider such reforms.
As part of the meeting, the goals and mission of Government Accountability Project were discussed and expanded upon to inform the delegation. Mr. Clark described Government Accountability Project’s international work, including whistleblower law evaluation and consulting in other countries to assist in developing whistleblower policies and practices. The organization has had tremendous success within the European Union and has had significant impact at the World Bank and the United Nations. In addition, the organization has helped to enact 35 federal whistleblower laws since its establishment in 1977.
Government Accountability Project and its clients have had major successes across a broad array of issues, concerns and activities leading to significant reforms. These improvements include halting construction on several nuclear power plants, pausing production of plutonium for nuclear weapons during the Cold War, ending the production of several deadly medications, and closing twoan immigration detention centers. “Whistleblower’s information is used to make improvements,” says Louis Cark.
The organization has had a goal to change the negative cultural connotation of a whistleblower by refocusing the language used to describe the individual from words such as, “informant,” “rat,” or “tattletale” to “citizen,” “hero,” or “truth teller.” Recent polling indicates that 86% of American voters now believe that whistleblowers should have strong legal protections. As Clark explained to the delegation, “We now believe we have succeeded.”
Government Accountability Project would like to thank the Department of State and the participants of the International Visitor Leadership Program for providing a catalyst conversation for transparency and whistleblower rights in Latin America and the Caribbean countries.