By Richard Johnstone | 18 November 2014
United Nations Development Programme chief Helen Clark has welcomed a new initiative to develop integrated reporting across the public sector.
The Public Sector Pioneer Network, launched at a World Bank conference in Washington DC yesterday, will test how the principles of <IR> can be applied to state-backed bodies.
Integrated reporting is intended to increase transparency by bringing together a number of different areas of current reporting to form a more cohesive examination of how organisations create value over time. It requires them to account for their use and stewardship across a number of ‘capitals’ – financial, manufactured, intellectual, human, social and relationship, and natural – and to understand their interdependencies.
The new network, which aims to provide examples of how this approach can be adopted in the public sector, has been developed by the International Integrated Reporting Council in partnership with CIPFA.
Speaking on the launch of the project, UNDP’s Helen Clark said transparent, responsive, and accountable institutions were a vital part of what it takes to improve people’s lives and implement sustainable development.
‘Integrated Reporting provides a framework to enhance transparency and accountability, linking social responsibility and sustainability to the long-term resilience of an organisation,’ she added.
‘UNDP is delighted to participate within the Pioneer Network, and contribute towards this evolution in reporting for the public sector.’
Other organisations taking part include the World Bank and the UK’s National Health Service.
IIRC chief executive Paul Druckman said public sector organisations were increasingly tasked with maintaining or improving outcomes within the same or reducing resources.
‘Communicating how, and how well prepared they are, to achieve this will be critical to public accountability,’ he said.
‘Participants in the network will share views and experiences on how <IR> can be adapted to be fit for purpose for the public sector, with the end goal of improving transparency and building trust. I call on interested organisations to join the network to ensure it has a global and well-informed coverage.’
Speaking at the launch, Ian Carruthers, CIPFA’s executive director of policy and technical, said that, as around one-third of global gross domestic product is made up by the public sector, applying Integrated Reporting could help bring about a step change in transparency and accountability.
‘Through giving a much clearer view of how and where public resources are used, as more and more public sector organisations from across the world take up the transformational challenge of Integrated Reporting, the understanding and trust of citizens can only increase,’ he added.
‘This network is an important step along that road and a significant development for the public sector around the world.’
