Popular demonstrations are highlighted in the second stage of the 10 + 10 Debate Cycle

By ETCO
17/10/2013

In Brasilia, participants showed the importance of ETCO in the search for a more just society

The second stage of the 10 + 10 Debate Cycle, promoted by ETCO in Brasília on August 21, was marked by the perception that Brazilians are increasingly calling for a more ethical and corruption-free country. Event participants concluded that important changes are taking place because of popular dissatisfaction with corruption and the poor quality of public services. Another consensus was the importance of ETCO as a representative of civil society, in the search for more justice and ethics in society and in business.

With the participation of the Secretary of State for Planning and Budget of the Federal District, Luiz Paulo Barreto, and the Chief Minister of the Comptroller General of the Union, Jorge Hage, the event, which is part of the celebration of the 10 years of ETCO's performance, was held at the headquarters of the National Confederation of Industry (CNI).

In addition to them, the table was formed by the Executive President of ETCO, Roberto Abdenur, by the Director of Instituto Análise, Alberto Carlos Almeida, and by the Coordinator of the specialization course in tax law at Fundação Getulio Vargas, professor Eurico Marcos Diniz De Santi, who also participated in the Carioca stage of the Debate Cycle, in June, and will be present in São Paulo, in October, when the series closing debate will be held.

At the opening of the work, Abdenur stated that "there is a perception that ETCO plays an important role in the defense of causes that today reflect the desires of Brazilian society".

For Alberto Carlos Almeida, this perception reveals the great harmony between the performance of ETCO and the demand of society, which, according to him, is undergoing great transformation. "The Brazilian State is no longer able to follow the demands of society and, although the agenda (of the demonstrations) is diffuse, it is clear that there is nothing to disarm a movement like this, and a range of measures is needed to satisfy these demands", stated.

Almeida pointed out that popular demonstrations occur at a time of improvement in the economy and in the population's living conditions. "Brazilian society has been going through a process of mentality change due to the growth of the new middle class and the raising of the educational level, a process not accompanied by the political system", he summarized.

Professor De Santi believes that popular demonstrations coincide with a time when new forms of communication are emerging. "In the networked society, the strongest power is communication, not repression or weapons."

When talking about tax legislation and the taxpayers' difficulties in understanding it, De Santi stated that it is necessary to increase the flow of information between the Tax Authorities and the taxpayer, as a way of increasing transparency. "Legality is not in the law, but in its concrete application," he said.

On this topic, ETCO's Executive President, Roberto Abdenur, also cited data showing that, in Brazil, companies take about 2.600 hours a year to pay taxes, which requires dozens of employees working specifically on this issue. "In the meantime, in other countries, two or three people do everything."

CGU Chief Minister Jorge Hage celebrated the fact that the institution, like ETCO, is celebrating its first 10 years of life. For him, increasing transparency is the best antidote against corruption. Among the measures adopted that helped fight corruption in this first decade of the CGU, he highlighted the creation of the Transparency Portal and the Access to Information Law.

When addressing the Anti-Corruption Law, recently signed by President Dilma, the minister stated that "the impact on public administration can be compared to that of the Access to Information Law". And he recalled that the law can contribute to the beginning of a cultural transformation in Brazil.

Secretary Luiz Paulo Barreto stated that Brazil currently requires transparency in all segments. “Society has discovered that it is she who pays the bill,” said Barreto, referring to national outrage over corruption and the poor efficiency of public services. "In the next ten years, ETCO will have a centralizing role, which may contribute to the intermediation between government, companies and civil society," he said.

The third and final stage of the 10 + 10 Debate Cycle will be held in São Paulo, on October 16, at the headquarters of the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo (Fiesp). In addition to ETCO's Executive President, Roberto Abdenur, Professor Eurico Marcos Diniz De Santi and Sociologist Alberto Carlos Almeida, the event should count on the participation of the São Paulo State Finance Secretary, Andrea Calabi, and the Attorney General of the Republic, Rodrigo Janot.