In 2018, the OECD noted that a common characteristic of the This conviction has appeared at the same time as circumstances entire region of Latin America and the Caribbean is the growing have been highlighting a series of realities that indicate resistance disconnection between citizens and the government institutions to this change in culture. charged with representing them. The international organizations drew attention to the fact that the scant attention paid to the A culture of integrity can be installed more firmly in organizations calls for greater transparency and integrity in the exercise of where the virtues of policy options can be freely discussed, government functions has triggered public mistrust, which in turn without fear of any deterioration in personal or collective working jeopardizes the social contract and undermines sustainable and conditions or fear of retaliation. It can also be more easily installed inclusive economic growth. in those organizations where it is possible to report inappropriate conduct or corrupt practice, where there is reasonable certainty The OECD also observed that, despite efforts to draw up anti- that the whistle-blower will not be targeted for retaliation, and corruption policies and strategies, it continues to be a challenge where inquiry, investigation, and remediation mechanisms will be to implement said policies and strategies, and to promote, activated. The positive perception of staff members of government alongside this, a broader culture of integrity in both public and agencies about themselves and about the sound stewardship of private institutions. Along that same line, MESICIC in its rounds their superiors at the service of the common good is a signal that of review has made recommendations to tackle these challenges, they are part of an organization with a living culture of integrity. by stressing the need to provide clear instructions to civil servants, Transparent decision making creates an environment of greater apply basic instruments to promote ethics, and look for more trust in the integrity of the authorities and department heads who equitable remuneration systems. are exercising their leadership in each area of the institution. To achieve a culture of integrity in the public sector, according But the reality that many public officials are living is different. to the OECD it is also primordial to benefit from a civil service Government institutions in Latin America and in the countries that is competent, professional, and committed to public values being examined are profoundly impacted by the formalism of and interests. According to this body, although most countries of the standards, where the symbolic and effective value of the the region have made progress in installing a merit-based civil laws and norms on public integrity in particular is relative and service, there continue to be several challenges that have to circumstantial and is affected by conditions of control, opportunity, be tackled. The OECD’s approach gives priority to policies and and incentives. The indicators measuring the perception and practices, but the challenges that have been identified coincide, victimization of corruption show that, as a rule, Latin American to varying degrees, with the mechanisms that MESICIC has been countries have high levels of corruption, with certain exceptions. recommending to the countries of the Americas for the civil service In those countries, perception indicators show that bodies of the and are closely related to the commitments of the Lima Summit. executive branch of government register high levels of corruption and low levels of public trust. To better ascertain the scope of the reforms for integrity and the civil service and its challenges in times of the pandemic, In Latin America, there are low levels of whistleblowing by public government experts were consulted in the six countries, who officials against corruption. According to persons interviewed, identified important current challenges to their implementation. there is still fear among public officials that reprisals will be taken by heads and authorities. Some even mention that it is very Some of these challenges could be called traditional challenges difficult for a civil servant to oppose any of the decisions or orders because they were there before or unfolding over previous of their superiors, even when said decisions and orders might be years and had emerged in normal times of health and showed unlawful. This information coincides with the MESICIC’s insistent persistence in times of crisis. Other challenges were contingent recommendations that states must establish a legal framework on, and were rooted in, or gained momentum during, the and mechanisms that can provide protection to civil servants and pandemic. individual citizens who report, in good faith, acts of corruption using either administrative or criminal law remedies. Cases of improper procurement, overcharging, or corruption in the context a) In bodies in charge of public management, staff of a crisis shows that internal oversight might have failed and that management, and integrity, the need for a change in an important part of the failure is due to the human factor, because culture in government agencies has become evident, the pressure exerted by outside persons or powerful public officials leading to a resolute perspective in favor of integrity. is capable of adversely affecting the willingness of subordinate civil servants to voice their legitimate objections or even rendering null and void their oversight and whistle-blowing activity. Cultivating a culture of integrity in the civil service in times of crisis 39