The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

With the recent influx of international assistance to Yemen, partnerships between civil society and government oversight bodies, such as the Supreme National Authority for Combating Corruption (SNACC), have become critical to advancing anti-corruption efforts and increasing transparency. In 2009, an anti-corruption program that involved SNACC and civil society groups was so successful in exposing and reducing instances of corruption that it has been replicated by the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank. Building on this foundation, in July 2009 SNACC released a national strategy for 2010-2014 that emphasizes engaging civil society organizations as partners with government in anti-corruption efforts.

Please join us as Dr. Bilkis Abouosbaa, vice-chairperson of SNACC, describes the challenges and successes regarding SNACC's current initiatives. The presentation will be followed by an open discussion among representatives from SNACC and the audience. Dr. Abouosbaa will be joined by Mr. Mohammed Senhoob, head of Investigations Sector, and Ms. Suad Almarani, general manager of the International Cooperation Sector.

Gregory Simpson, CIPE senior program officer for the Middle East and North Africa, will present excerpts from CIPE's groundbreaking documentary film about corruption in Yemen. Les Campbell, NDI senior associate and director for Middle East and North Africa programs, will discuss how coalitions in parliament and civil society work together to address corruption.

SNACC was established in 2007 as an independent agency with the authority to investigate corruption, refer government officials for prosecution, retrieve funds obtained through corrupt practices, draft and implement anti-corruption policies and hold senior government officials accountable for financial activities.