Digital Agency in an Age of Corruption

Venue: iClub

Session Format: Panel Discussion

Host: Corruption Watch

Speakers:

Moderator: Zanele Fengu, Corruption Watch

Panelists:

1. Zukiswa Kota, Public Service Accountability Monitor (PSAM)
2. Nishendra Moodley, Economic Development Partnership (EDP)
3. Joseph Kirai, Ushahidi
4. Robyn Pasensie, My Vote Counts

Session Overview:

Corruption represents a direct threat to democracy and accountable public service delivery across the world. In African democracies, the increasing corruption rate, influence and scale is a significant challenge. Digital tools, applications and movements have emerged as a response to counter corruption through proactive methods and technologies. Civic technology raises accountability and transparency through online services, transparency or open data portals, information crowdsourcing, online corruption reporting, service automation, and digitalisation.

The session will discuss the ways in which digital innovations and civic tech tools/ methodologies are helping to proactively meet the challenge of corruption at various levels of state governance. Panellists will share experiences and insights on the use, value and application of emerging technologies, including AI (and other) tools, processes and methodologies that support democracy building and citizen engagement, while also supporting more transparent and accountable governance systems, processes and outcomes. The session will demonstrate the power of collaboration and collective action, specifically highlighting the significance of collaboration between governments, civil society, and the private sector in curbing corruption. We’ll explore how digital tools facilitate cross-sector partnerships for effective solutions.