“Radical reforms are urgently needed to strengthen anti-corruption institutions throughout the Caribbean. The consequences of not doing so are grave and they lead to increased levels of poverty.”

Rhodes scholar and Caribbean icon Professor Trevor Munroe made the above quote when he spoke about Corruption during the University College of the Cayman Island’s (UCCI) Distinguished Lecture Series on Thursday, November 29, 2012 in Grand Cayman.

Speaking to a packed audience at the University, Dr. Munroe said political corruption is one of the main elements of what is wrong with their societies. This perception had been revealed in survey after survey throughout the Caribbean. The research has also shown that Caribbean people have least confidence in political parties and politicians, even while they are proud of other achievements such as the general level of freedom of the press in their societies.

In Jamaica, where he is from, Munroe said political parties and politicians were low on the trust quotient as was Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana. Although the media was ranked high in Jamaica other parts of the Caribbean the media got low marks for reporting it.

As government departments become more efficient, Dr Munroe admitted there appeared to be a reduction in the incentive for people to pay bribes. In Jamaica, he said, increased vigilance by the anti-corruption branch of the police force had led to over 200 police officers being separated from their jobs, for various instances of corruption.

Munroe then warned that while corrupt practices from the ordinary citizen seemed to be on the decline, corruption in “high places” was becoming more entrenched.

Despite the passing of the Illicit Enrichment Act having been passed in Jamaica over a decade ago, there were only two prosecutions of public officials that had taken place over that period. He called this ““illicit enrichment of public officials”.

He said there is urgent need for laws and regulations to deal with the relationship between money, political parties and elections and called on the audience to press for campaign financing laws throughout the Caribbean.

“We need new laws and the enforcement of existing laws relating to campaign financing and political party contributions,” Munroe thundered at his audience, invoking huge applause, as he called on them to press for campaign financing laws throughout the Caribbean. “The longer we take to do this the more we shall lose confidence in critical institutions!”

Corruption is the main factor leading to mass migration, from the Caribbean he claimed. “The demand is high from Caribbean people for a better life away from it.”

The audience banged their feet on the floor and clapped in agreement when he said, “We need new laws and the enforcement of existing laws relating to campaign financing and political party contributions. “The longer we take to do this the more we shall lose confidence in critical institutions.”

Dr. Munroe, a political scientist, one-time labour activist and a former member of the Jamaican Senate, received a standing ovation that carried on for several minutes.

Dr Munroe is now the Executive Director of the National Integrity Action, a non-profit organisation aimed at combating corruption in Jamaica on a non-partisan basis.

The lecture is one of many events leading up to UCCI’s 2014 International Conference on Ethics, Values and Morality.

For further information, visit: www.ucciconference.ky

Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lGWI7VSyjc to view DLS Trevor Munroe 17minute “snippet “.