PRINCIPLES OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY: MECHANISMS FOR … N RENIUTZ-URSOIU, M MUSAN

http://www.law.muni.cz/sborniky/cofola2010/files/zajisteni/Reniutz-Ursoiu_Naomi__1640_.pdfPRINCIPLES OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY: MECHANISMS FOR SECURING OBLIGATIONS INCUMBENT TO PUBLIC BODIESNAOMI RENIUTZ-URSOIU1 AND MIHAELA MUSANNational School of Political Studies and Public Administration, Bucharest,RomaniaAbstract The principles of transparency and accountability are closely interconnected and both of them related to the concept of ‗rule of law‘. From a broader perspective they are inherent to any legal system which is protecting the individual from the discretionary powers of the state‘s machinery. An important role in securing (public) obligations, safeguarding and further developing the principle of accountability is played by the 'fourth power' institutions promoters of a good administration, engaging new standards of conduct of ethical, institutional and also legal nature.Key words: Transparency, Accountability, Public institutions, Ombudsman, Court of Audit.

CBC's The Current Podcast: 04/02/10: Pt 3 - Accountability Act

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The Current Podcast

The Current is a meeting place of perspectives with a fresh take on issues that affect Canadians today.

04/02/10: Pt 3 - Accountability Act


Stephen Harper rode into office promising open, transparent and above all accountable government. Four years later, we're asking whether he's delivered it.

Right click to Download 04/02/10: Pt 3 - Accountability Act

[mp3 file: runs 28:21]

Minnesota FOI award recognizes citizen lobbyist

FOI award recognizes citizen lobbyist

Associated Press

February 25, 2009

MINNEAPOLIS - A nonprofit group that fights for the public's right to government information is honoring a St. Paul man for doing exactly that.

Rich Neumeister was named Wednesday as the winner of the John R. Finnegan Award, given each year by the Minnesota Coalition on Government Information.

The group said Neumeister has worked for 25 years as a citizen lobbyist. He's appeared before numerous legislative committees and worked with legislators on issues such as freedom of information, privacy rights and government accountability.

FULL ARTICLE

Quote of the Day

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"When transparent and accountable governance is circumvented anywhere in the university, we all suffer.''

- from a letter signed by more than 60 faculty members of Brandeis University, including some of the most prominent and longest-tenured professors to President Jehuda Reinharz on his decision to sell off the university's $350 million art collection.

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• How Brandeis Has Changed the Museum World Forever (portfolio.com)

Feds get poor grade for accountability: Democracy Watch

Feds get poor grade for accountability: Democracy Watch

3 days ago

OTTAWA — An accountability watchdog says the Conservative federal government gets a D grade this year for transparency and democratic reform.

Democracy Watch says the Harper government has strengthened or tried to strengthen accountability in a number of areas, but has weakened it in others, resulting in the poor grade overall.

The report says the government could have earned a B grade had it implemented all the reforms promised in the 2006 election campaign. But it hasn't acted on 27 changes it promised, the group says.

It also says the government has left a lot of loopholes that hurt accountability and transparency and should bring in a tougher accountability act.

FULL ARTICLE: <http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hpunA6-9cj-vxkUOz-pmWfcliTKA>