ambassador remarks

Closing Remarks
Transparency Conference
September 20, 2007

We have nearly come to the end of our Transparency Conference. But before I attempt to sum up - and make a final challenge to you - I would like to once again thank our partners, the Czech Senate, and especially its president, Přemysl Sobotka, for providing us with these superb accommodations. Thank you.

There are many individuals without whom an undertaking of this size could not take place. I would like to thank our moderators and speakers for leading the discussions from which we all drew so much insight; I would like to thank you - the audience - for drawing on your diverse backgrounds and experiences to provide the insights and creativity, which drove the debate over the last couple of days.

And I'd like to say a special thanks to Ambassador Duffield of the British Embassy; Megdalena Soucek and Weston Stacey of the American Chamber of Commerce; and Mark Anderson of the Expat Business Association. I must also thank Irena Moozova and the European Commission for their program support. Each, in important ways, supported and funded key elements of this conference.

Let me also thank the many NGOs and other individuals that have provided help and inspiration for this conference, with a special thanks to Adriana Krnačova of Transparency International.

And finally, I want to acknowledge the months of hard work from our team at the U.S. Embassy, especially Marcela Entlichova and Jerry Ismail: Great job!

While this conference is at an end, it is the beginning of a dialogue on achieving change. At the outset of the conference we set a few goals:

First, to raise the issue of transparency, to give it some definition and context, to talk about its consequences, and to share perspectives from the United States and other countries; and to work together to find common ground on which we can build.

Our aim of the many groups and individuals supporting this effort is to help create the conditions that will result in a better functioning, more efficient, and transparent society.

It would be hard to summarize all of the major insights that emerged from the conference, but I have a list of a few that struck me as very important:

Most importantly, it takes courage to achieve change. And the willingness to take a risk. We can talk about law and codes but the essence of transparency is individuals. Individuals who are not willing to turn a blind eye to a problem. The epitome of this courage is Congressman Bob Weygand. Someone who would not play the game according to crooked rules. Yet someone who ultimately paid a price for his convictions.

Something that many of our speakers also emphasized yesterday is the political will to promote real change: governments must establish independent review boards and provide whistle-blower protections.

And as we heard in the Rule of Law section, in order to be effective in promoting change independence in law enforcement must be guaranteed. I think Jim Letten and Howard Schwartz did a fantastic job. Though everyone recognizes that it is not possible to eradicate corruption completely, the US team showed that if investigators and prosecutors work as a team from the very beginning they can achieve considerable success.

The changes brought about in Slovakia bear analysis. No matter what one's views on the legislation, they represent a significant leap forward that could serve as a roadmap for this country.

Business is a key partner in achieving positive change. As Peter Van Groos put it so succintly, business leaders must uphold a culture of integrity. And there are already such great examples of this operating here in the Czech Republic. GE Money Bank and Plzensky Prazdroj just to name two. Not to mention countless Czechs who are also running their firms according to the same principle.

And as Ambassador Duffield of the UK Embassy stated: in a global economy transparency is a crossborder requirement.

And as we just heard, the media in all its forms is crucial to a stronger, better-functioning democracy. More indepth investigative journalism is necessary. The matter involving former prime minister Gross shows the impact of good investigative journalism. An absolute requirement for stronger journalism is a good legal framework and freedom from fear of libel.

The media is society's pulse; it is more than just a profit making machine.

The media must also ensure its own integrity in order to more effectively critique the government and society around it.

As I noted at the beginning of the conference- this is a nation which has been guided throughout its recent history by the principles of justice and ethics. Through these principles, citizens were able to peacefully re-establish democracy. Now there is a new generation, one that seeks further change, more opportunities, and better standards of living.

The costs of not taking action may have further-reaching consequences than anyone might imagine. The system is functioning, but not as well as it can. In a globalized economy, as Jack Stack said, capital flees confusion and uncertainty - and finds refuge in the best protected climates. Such climates provide the most certainty of return, the least burden on investment, and the clearest methods of transaction.

Countries that have until now played little in the way of global competition are beginning to attract new international attention, foreign investment, and high-tech manufacturing. The configuration of competition is always changing. Static approaches to governance are a non-solution.

One of the best ways to meet these demands over the long-term is through training and education. We will be speaking more about this approach in the coming days at the follow-on events and future panels, but it's worthwhile mentioning here: Nothing will secure a brighter, better future for the Czech Republic than promoting a strong curriculum in its public school system.

At all levels - but especially at the beginning, emphasis ought to be placed on building a curriculum that imparts a sense of individual responsibility; builds a strong sense of entrepreunirial spirit; helps establish parameters of right and wrong; and identifies leaders who will bring such a value system with them as they progress through their careers.

Another way Czech officials can show their commitment to making change is by ratifying the U.N. convention against corruption.

And now it's time to make a challenge. We've benefitted greatly from some of the best minds thinking about the issue of Transparency. Now I want to call on you to carry on the discussion, to continue the effort: in your work place, in homes and schools, in your community. Don't wait for change from above, but make it happen in your immediate surroundings.

The conclusion of this conference is certainly not the end as far as the U.S. Embassy is concerned. Today and tomorrow we are co-hosting workshops with several NGOs and Czech government offices. They will each hone in on one specific area of expertise: police and prosecutors, judges, civil administration, media and education.

Several of our speakers will also be moving on to Bratislava, where tomorrow our sister embassy is hosting a conference similar to this one with Slovak partners.

I, myself, intend to remain fully engaged in this effort. I want to work together with many of my fellow Ambassadors, with our Chambers of Commerce, with NGOs and with the Czech government to continue this debate and to take concrete steps that will achieve positive change.

Is there any doubt we can succeed? Eighteen years ago, millions of Czechs stood up against a system that was morally, politically and economically corrupt. With great courage and nothing but keys in their hands, they brought communist rule to an end and charted a new course for their country. That today we are able to speak freely about issues like transparency and anti-corruption is a tribute to their courage and vision. But, it also represents a challenge for all of us: to remain vigilant, hold government and business leaders accountable, and instill in the society the values that will preserve and strengthen this country's democratic system for generations to come.

Thank you. I hope you have enjoyed the Conference.