By Paneetha Ameresekere
Professionals don’t address the serious challenges of globalisation because they themselves tend to get involved with the agenda of transnational corporations and developed countries, said the Organisation of Professional Associations’ (OPA’s) Technical Sessions Chairman Dr. Joel Fernando, at the Association’s Annual Sessions which was held on Friday.

The theme of the Sessions was ‘Whither Good Governance.’ "Good governance is good government," said Fernando. It is value based, sets high standards of integrity and institutionalises democracy, he said. The core characteristics of good governance are participation, transparency, accountability and equity.

Fernando further said that if Good Governance was to succeed, codes of conduct for professionals/politicians should be enforced, the state and the corporate sector should be mobilised and professionals should participate in parliamentary committee systems.

Fernando said that the three segments of society, namely the State, Civil Society and the Corporate/Private Sector, should move harmoniously for good governance. "There is a need today to restore good governance. To do this, we feel that citizens should be empowered to fight for their rights. And have the government that will look after their interests," said Fernando.

"Policies in our country are not decided by our peoples. The most recent is the agreement with the IMF. Whether it was signed with the concurrence of the people?" asked Fernando. "For whose well being were the number of ministries increased on a shrinking budget?" he further asked.

He said that the reasons for the limited impact of OPA initiatives was because of the decline of ethical conduct among professionals and politicians, lack of OPA involvement with civil society organisations and the adverse impact of ‘economic’ globalisation.

"Declining ethics among professionals may act as a spur for unethical conduct among politicians," added Fernando. He further said that the OPA can join civil society to fight bribery and corruption. Fernando also said that "the Constitution gives too much power to the Executive and the Elections Commissioner does not have power to conduct free and fair elections".

OPA President Gerry A. Hidelaratchi in his speech said that social standards have deteriorated and criminals were enjoying political patronage. "Justice is the prerogative of the rich," he said.

"The OPA should safeguard the rights and well being of civil society," Hidelaratchi said. He also said that the OPA has got involved in the proposed seventeenth amendment which advocates the setting-up of independent police, elections, judicial and public administration commissions.