1. When and why was GOPAC founded?

GOPAC was founded in October 2002 as a result of a Global Conference in Ottawa, Canada which brought together over 170 parliamentarians and 400 observers dedicated to fighting corruption and improving good governance. It became a legal entity in the fall of 2003 – a not for profit under Canadian law.

GOPAC was the idea of former GOPAC Chair and current GOPAC CEO, John Williams (MP, Canada retired) who felt that he attended too many parliamentary conferences that focussed solely on dialogue – and not on delivering results. Mr. Williams believed that an international organisation of parliamentarians dedicated to improving parliaments as institutions of oversight and that focused itself on delivering results was needed.

2. How does GOPAC‘s status make it unique in fighting corruption?

GOPAC is the only parliamentary organisation/network with the singular focus on combating corruption.

3. Who are the members of GOPAC?

GOPAC members represent over 90 countries in all the regions of the world. They are current or former democratically elected members of parliament or democratically elected members of parliament who have been denied their right to take office.

GOPAC members are non-partisan.

4. How big is GOPAC?

There are currently over 900 members of GOPAC.

5. What is the role of the Global Secretariat?

The GOPAC Secretariat serves as the global point of contact for GOPAC and its regional and national chapters. The Secretariat's role involves keeping records of memberships, including regional and national chapters, and promoting new memberships and affiliations. It also co-ordinates and facilitates the activities of the various organs of GOPAC as well as GOPAC's international programming. The Secretariat also provides a supporting role to the Executive Committee and maintains relationships and co-ordinates activities between GOPAC and other organizations. One of the primary tasks of the Global Secretariat is also to collect and disseminate information concerning the GOPAC and its chapters.

6. How independent are National and Regional GOPAC Chapters?

All of GOPAC’s national and regional chapters are self directed and self funded.