ICPR and Government Reform, in the US and Morocco

ICPR is getting a foreign perspective on political reform -- and the struggles in bringing about such change -- through participating in a week of intensive learning and discussion in Morocco.

In April, ICPR served as the host organization for a government employee from Morocco, Firdaous Mansour, who heads the communications wing of the Moroccan government's anti-corruption department -- the Central Authority for the Prevention of Corruption.

Mansour spent about four weeks in Chicago and another in Washington D.C. as a Legislative Fellow, through a program funded by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by Heartland International.

This Professional Fellows Program is designed to give public and private sector leaders in other nations opportunities to learn about issues in their work areas are addressed in America.

While at ICPR, Mansour learned about the history of public corruption in Illinois, statutory efforts to prevent wrongdoing, and ICPR's communication efforts to inform and engage the public and government officials.

Although there are many differences between Mansour's work and that of ICPR -- from the subject matter tackled to resources available for carrying out our work -- we discovered there are lots of similarities, too.

One of the challenges we both face is public distrust of government. Like many Illinois voters who have lost faith following years of scandal, Moroccans can be wary of governmental reforms, Mansour explained. Overcoming this hurdle and engaging voters are key to curbing corruption and transforming government.

As part of the program, a member of the U.S. host organization is given the opportunity to visit the fellows' country, with the goal of strengthening professional relationships and fostering and understanding of other cultures and environments.

ICPR is delighted to participate in this exchange and looks forward to sharing with you our experience.