The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has announced that Colombian cartoonist Mauricio Parra was selected as the winner of the first prize in the cartoon contest, For a region with greater integrity and transparency: The image against corruption, with a drawing titled “Change Begins In The Head.”

The jury also selected 10 cartoons as finalists. They were posted on Facebook for voting by the public, with more than 2,000 votes cast and the winner of Public's Favorite category was Alberto Montt of Chile’s drawing “Vote”.

The contest, launched to mark International Anti-corruption Day 2015, drew more than 200 nominations from 18 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. It was an invitation to the region's cartoonists to reflect on the many faces of corruption and their impact on institutions, vulnerable populations and sustainable development, not just in the public sphere but also in private life.

“I want to thank all the artists who submitted drawings to our contest,” said Ana María Rodríguez, manager of the IDB's Department of Institutions for Development. “They make us reflect once again on heavy social and economic costs of corruption and reminded us that cartoons are a powerful communications tool that can break through the language barrier. To visualize the phenomenon of corruption in all its aspects is an essential step for societies and each one of its citizens seeking to combat and prevent it.”

Participants were invited to answer questions such as: What are the forms of corruption? How do they affect development? How can we combat corruption? How can transparency and integrity help in preventing and fighting corruption?

Contest guidelines asked for creative and critical cartoons that reject corruption and highlight the importance of open government practices at the service of citizens.

The contest was carried out with the support of the Gabriel García Marquez Foundation for the New IberoAmerican Journalism (FNPI). All the finalists received a scholarship to an FNPI training seminar and a trip to IDB headquarters in Washington to participate in the awards ceremony Dec. 9. The winners of the first prize and the public's favorite category received digital illustration equipment.

The jury was made of up of cartoonists Ricardo Liniers of Argentina and Vladdo of Colombia, FNPI executive director Ricardo Corredor and Daniel Kaufmann, an international expert on governability and corruption. The IDB was represented by Trinidad Zaldívar, division chief for Cultural, Solidarity and Creativity Affairs.

You can see the 10 finalist cartoons on the IDB’s Gobernarte blog.

About the IDB

The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives. Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts cutting-edge research and provides policy advice, technical assistance and training to public and private sector clients throughout the region.