Leading Whistleblower Attorney Gives Keynote Address at State Department Event

On May 16, leading whistleblower attorney Stephen M. Kohn of Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto gave a keynote address at a U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) event. The event was part of a program entitled “Transparency and Accountability in Government” which is a State Department project for the Middle East and North Africa.

The project is designed to “examine how transparency and accountability in government ensure public trust in the integrity and fairness of elected officials, public servants, and the institutions of government,” according to the State Department. The project is meant to highlight transparency mechanisms within the United States government as well as the key role civil societys and the media play as watchdogs.

The project is scheduled to last from May 14 through June 4 in cities across the U.S. Participants in the project include a mix of government officials, business leaders, politicians, civic and community leaders, journalists, and academics from across the Middle East and North Africa. 

As a leading expert on whistleblower law and an attorney with decades of experience representing whistleblowers, Kohn was asked to present a keynote address to the project’s participants at the Meridian House in Washington D.C. His presentation covered the history and use of U.S. whistleblower protection laws. He highlighted the success these laws have had in ensuring transparency and accountability in both the public and private sectors and the key aspects of an effective whistleblower law. His address was followed by a question and answer period where participants asked questions relevant to the implementation of whistleblower laws in their home countries.

“I look forward to working with leaders from the Middle East and North Africa and other international anti-corruption officials to put a stop to the frauds that undermine economic prosperity and human rights,” said Kohn after the address.

The Department of State outlined the following objectives for the project:

• Enhance understanding of the underlying principles of ethical systems for accountability in government and business in the United States;
• Address international efforts to strengthen the integrity of governments and businesses;
• Examine the effect of transparency on trade, investment, and economic development;
• Explore the role of citizens, traditional and new media, academia, and civil society in fostering transparency and accountability in government; and
• Highlight the mechanisms that enable citizens to foster good governance, ethical standards, and accountability at the local, state, and federal levels.