A/HRC/41/20 comprising members of the most marginalized groups, which were the most vulnerable to human rights violations and to the effects of corruption. Speakers stressed that civil society had the unique ability to hold governments accountable and to create solutions to problems within each community, including by participating in the review of national action plans and in the drafting of legislation. Reference was also made to consultative and deliberative committees open to civil society as a mechanism effective in the prevention of corruption and in monitoring policies. Civil society participation against corruption was not limited to governance, and included the rights to freedom of association and freedom of assembly, including demonstrations. It also included the right to present collective judicial claims, the right to be protected from reprisals and the right to freedom of expression, including in the context of academic debate. Some speakers associated effective civic participation with the human rights principles of freedom of expression and access to information, which were important conditions for an open and accountable government. Proper civic participation also required communities to be empowered with knowledge about, in particular, the management of public finances, and budgeting practices that were transparent. Speakers identified a free and independent media as a key actor in the prevention, identification and coverage of issues relating to corruption. They underlined the importance of investigative journalism and the protection of sources and whistle-blowers on the local, national, regional and international levels. Participants asked panellists for examples of best practices in preventing corruption through the engagement of non-governmental organizations in the implementation and monitoring of public policy. 43. Several speakers drew attention to the possibilities provided by technological developments. Examples given included e-government, open data platforms, electronic data systems for procurement and the implementation of electronic document management systems. By reducing human contact and the discretionary power of public officials, technology reduced the opportunity for corrupt practices. Technology could also provide safe tools for reporting corrupt practices without retaliation. Some innovations concerned the design of services provided, like the “one stop for services” model. Participants asked panellists how and in what ways new technologies could be applied, and whether they were advantageous to traditional mechanisms for fighting and preventing corruption. 44. Several contributions referred to the support provided by the United Nations system to States in preventing and fighting corruption. Participants were interested in the importance of coordination, due to the transboundary nature of illicit financial flows, in aspects relating to technical cooperation and dialogue, and in the specific role of international mechanisms. 45. Delegations stressed that corruption often had a transnational character; corrupt acts could be committed transnationally, and their proceeds could easily cross borders. Globalization had increased the sheer number of transborder movements of persons and capital, thus, according to many speakers, the importance of international cooperation. Several delegations underlined the importance of cooperation in the prevention of transnational corruption and the recovery of stolen assets. In this context, they underlined the importance of transparency and the exchange of information. One delegation called upon all jurisdictions to facilitate the identification and repatriation of stolen assets without delay or conditions. Participants cited relevant bilateral, regional and international agreements and coordinated response efforts against illicit financial flows. The Implementation Review Mechanism of the United Nations Convention against Corruption was cited as an important means to address this issue. Speakers recalled additional mechanisms, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and measures taken by the European Union, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the African Union concerning both cooperation for ensuring accountability and the return of assets. Several speakers urged ratification of regional and international conventions regarding human rights and anti-corruption measures. 46. Several speakers highlighted the role of technical cooperation as a key element in strengthening the capacity to prevent and combat corruption, including within a human rights framework. Examples included South-South and North-South cooperation, such as training programmes and technical assistance for preventing and investigating corruption, but also for the implementation of human rights, such as designing national anti-corruption 10