Corruption remains one of the primary challenges faced by public service in Mexico and many other countries. This issue erodes citizens’ trust in their institutions and limits development and equitable access to resources. Public service is often perceived with distrust and scepticism.

In this context, we at Accountability Lab launched the ‘Integrity Icon’ campaign, an initiative celebrated and implemented in several countries worldwide, including Liberia, South Africa, Nigeria, Pakistan, Nepal, and Zimbabwe, to name a few. Designed to highlight the work of public servants who act with honesty, responsibility, and dedication, this campaign showcases how integrity can generate meaningful change in diverse contexts.

This program aims to change negative perceptions of public service and inspire real change by actively involving citizens in the recognition process.

In Nigeria, for instance, it reached over 20 million people and established ‘Integrity Centers’ to promote accountability. In Zimbabwe, it organized Integrity Innovation Labs to address local challenges. Through public nominations, anyone can propose a public servant they consider a model of integrity. Subsequently, an independent panel of judges selects the finalists, whose stories are shared through videos so that civil society can vote for their favorite. Finally, the finalists are recognized at the Integrity Summit. This inclusive approach fosters a culture of integrity and strengthens the bond between the community and institutions.

On September 5, 2024, at the Integrity Summit in Mexico City, we celebrated ten exemplary public servants in the Youth and Sustainability campaigns, highlighting how their efforts help transform public service into a driver of social justice.


Stories that inspire

By learning about the stories of those who act with integrity and commitment, we celebrate their achievements and create a ripple effect, inspiring others to follow their example and reinforcing the belief that change is possible.

Susana Montañez, winner in the Sustainability category, is a Public Defender in the State of Nuevo León. In addition to working toward access to higher education for incarcerated individuals, she achieved a historical precedent at the federal level through her gender-based litigation, which led to the release of Dolores, a woman unjustly deprived of her liberty. This case gave rise to the creation of the Women’s Defense Unit. “Seeing the women we defend regain their freedom and rights is the greatest reward I can have,” said Susana.

Raúl Parra, winner in the Youth category, is the Director of Open Government at the Secretariat of Citizen Participation in Nuevo León. He has demonstrated how technology can be a powerful tool for transparency and citizen participation. Raúl has implemented technological tools that improve public management and strengthen strategic alliances. “This is not just a recognition for me but for those who believe that transparency and citizen participation are the path to a better future,” he stated.

In addition to the winners, special guests provided complementary perspectives during the event. José Antonio García, a specialist in transparency and open government, emphasized: “Integrity is the pillar that upholds citizens’ trust in their institutions.” Vania Pérez, an expert in public ethics and anti-corruption efforts, noted: “People with integrity must carry out the fight against corruption to inspire others and transform public service.” Finally, Viridiana Hernández, a consultant in open government, political innovation, and civic technology, added: “Integrity is a powerful tool to change the reality of our communities.”

Featured finalists of the Integrity Summit 2024

In addition to Susana Montañez and Raúl Parra, we would like to thank the  other finalists who were recognized for their commitment to integrity in public service:

  • Alemar Contreras (Youth) – Head of the Disciplinary Commission at the Judiciary Council of the State of Yucatán, promoting public policies for gender equality.
  • Ana Karen Padilla (Youth) – Personal Secretary to Commissioner Norma Julieta Del Río Venegas at INAI, leading the promotion of citizen-focused public policies.
  • Andrea Rodríguez Cobos (Youth) – State Coordinator for Open Government at the Secretariat of Citizen Participation in Nuevo León, advancing transparency projects.
  • Carolina Ramírez de León (Youth) – Women’s Coordinator at the Municipal Government of San Pedro Garza García, advocating for women’s rights.
  • Zaira Alhelí Hipólito López (Sustainability) – Electoral Counselor at the Electoral Institute of Oaxaca, promoting the participation of Indigenous and Afro-Mexican communities.
  • Hesiquio Benítez Díaz (Sustainability) – Director General of International Cooperation and Implementation at CONABIO, representing Mexico in biodiversity protection.
  • Michelle Montijo Arreguín (Sustainability) – Biodiversity Strategies Coordinator at the Secretariat of the Environment of Mexico City, leading biodiversity conservation efforts.
  • Martha Laura Peña Ordóñez (Sustainability) – Former Head of the Planning and Institutional Development Unit at SEDATU, advancing transparency and urban development.

What’s next?

Integrity is not just a solution to tackle corruption in public service but also a collective commitment involving institutional actors and civil society. Following these two ‘Integrity Icon’ campaigns, we at Accountability Lab aim to go beyond simply recognizing public servants who act with integrity. We want the projects and actions they have led to become replicable models across the country, allowing their achievements and lessons to benefit more communities.

We believe everyone has the opportunity to be part of this transformation. How can we work together to develop more inclusive and sustainable solutions? What concrete actions can we take to ensure these initiatives are replicable and scalable? The invitation is open: together, we can build a future where integrity is the standard, not the exception.