PARAGUAY: DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A

UNCLAS ASUNCION 000090

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/BSC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR KJUS PREL PGOV EAID PA
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY: DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A
CULTURE OF LAWFULNESS PROGRAM


1. Action request: See para. 7.


2. SUMMARY. Corruption in Paraguay is an endemic problem
that many Paraguayans characterize as cultural. Post is
using INL funds effectively to develop law enforcement
initiatives to address the problem of corruption,
particularly as it relates to Paraguayan institutions that
are combating drug trafficking and IPR violations. We
anticipate the approval of an MCA Threshold Program will
enable Paraguay to undertake significant structural reforms
to address impunity and the black market. New legislation is
increasing the incentives to formalize business here.
However, transforming cultural attitudes about the costs of
corruption at the grassroots level is a necessary corollary
of any comprehensive effort to help Paraguay turn the page on
corruption. A U.S. NGO, Culture of Lawfulness, has developed
successful programs in this area in many regions including
Sicily, Hong Kong, the Republic of Georgia, Botswana,
Colombia, and along the U.S.-Mexican border. We understand
the Department has set aside USD 3 million to combat
corruption in the Western Hemisphere and propose the modest
amount of USD 250,000 be earmarked to develop and implement a
Culture of Lawfulness program in Paraguay. END SUMMARY.


3. While Post is actively addressing the problem of
corruption relating to Paraguayan institutions such as those
that combat narcotics trafficking and Intellectual Property
Rights (IPR) violations, we have not tackled transforming the
cultural attitudes toward corruption at the grassroots level.
In particular, Post has not addressed corruption or the
establishment of the rule of law within primary educational
institutions, the media, and centers of moral authority.
Attacking corruption at the grassroots is a necessary
corollary of Post,s comprehensive effort to help Paraguay
turn the page on corruption.


4. The American NGO, Culture of Lawfulness, has developed a
strong program that works with youth, media organizations,
local police officials, and religious/secular centers to
transform attitudes towards the rule of law at the grassroots
level. Their program works with national and local leaders to
identify appropriate, effective, and sustainable approaches.
Typically, culture of lawfulness initiatives begin with
school-based programs. This outreach to the next generation
and their teachers, and through them, to their parents and
communities, helps to provide a shared understanding of the
potential for positive change.


5. To reach other key sectors of society, and to reinforce
school based education the COL Project teams up with
researchers and civil society leaders to mobilize key local
and national media managers, as well as centers of moral
authority - both religious and secular organizations. A plan
is developed to provide training for local leaders )
particularly from the mass media, religious institutions,
NGOs, business, and labor ) on their individual roles in
fostering respect for the rule of law in their society.
Experiences in such diverse societies as Sicily, Hong Kong,
Mexico and Colombia have shown that there is often measurable
impact in the short term, and as the culture of lawfulness
approach matures and takes hold, real change can be expected
within a generation.


6. A first step towards implementation of a culture of
lawfulness program includes the completion of an assessment
by the NGO staff. The assessment will enable local officials
to understand the ways in which their sector can be most
effective, over what period of time, and with what resources.



7. Action Request: Post understands the Department has
allotted USD 3 million in funding for regional
anti-corruption initiatives, including for the promotion of
ethics and anti-corruption awareness through training of
journalists and children's media programs, as well as
programs for youth. Post proposes using a modest portion of
these funds to support the development and implementation of
a Culture of Lawfulness program in Paraguay. Such a program
is estimated at USD 250,000 per year to address two sectors,
such as schools and local law enforcement officials, and USD
150,000 for only one sector. Typically, the NGO requires a
commitment of three to four years for the development,
implementation, and institutionalization of such a program.
The NGO, Culture of Lawfulness, already is familiar with the
Department of State grant process and have dealt with these
contracting issues before.
CASON