TACKLING CORRUPTION IN PALERMOFighting the Mafia and Reclaiming a City (1993-2000)

August 7, 2012

Presentation: Laura Bacon (Princeton ISS)

‘Comparative, International Perspectives on Corruption’: A Symposium hosted by the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) and Innovations for Successful Societies, Princeton

University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

Overview

Research conducted in Palermo, Sicily (2012)

Innovative approach to widespread corruption

Challenges Strategy Actions Reflections

Challenges

Mafia’s physical, political, cultural grip on city

“Sack of Palermo” Lack of cultural activity Weak education system Mismanaged city administration Weak service delivery Corrupt bidding processes

Strategy

Reclaim citizenship and city pride Reasserting state Public ownership Palermo Model

Actions taken

“Normal” actions in an “abnormal” environment Improved hiring practices Improved IT and connectivity Got papers in order Raised revenues Reformed bidding process

Actions taken – today’s focus Innovative anti-corruption reforms

Leveraged public spaces, arts & culture Incorporated civics into education

curriculum Engaged citizens and business leaders

Public spaces, arts, culture

Restoration of city center Zisa Cultural Center Café Concerto Teatro Massimo

Reforming education

Building infrastructure Newspaper classroom project Civics lessons “Adopt a Monument”

Improving business climate

Founded one-stop-shop Kick-started entrepreneurial activity Promoted tourism

Engaging citizens

Communications & accessibility Participatory budgeting Neighborhood councils Immigrant council Results

Overall impact

Mafia influence diminished Earned international credibility Reforms backslid with new

administration

Connection to ISS Cases

Medellin and Bogota, Colombia Solo, Indonesia

2005: municipal government started to revitalize city.

Built alliances with business, civil society, NGOs Created a one-stop shop Expanded vendor facilities and health services Boosted tourism; revived as arts and culture

center Opened the budget process to greater public

scrutiny.

Connections to other ISS case Cape Town (Manenburg)

Escalating violence in the 1990s Gangs asserted domination Directorate of Community Development

Mapped challenges Created Area Coordinating Teams Provided a space for local participation in

development projects Solicited feedback on city services Asserted presence of government in insecure

areas

Reflections

Strategic: When should leaders confront corruption directly?

Indirectly? Bypass entirely? How do leaders build sustainability into efforts? How to find windows of opportunity for action? How can leaders import and export ideas about anti-

corruption strategies? Analytical:

How do responses to organized crime differ from responses to other types of corruption?

In your country, city or institution, what are the core values? How have they been distorted? How could they be restored?

Logistical: How does one obtain resources for such projects?

Questions?

Contact: Laura Bacon (bacon@princeton.edu)

To access our free case studies and oral histories, please visit: www.princeton.edu/successfulsocieties