How to recover from state capture: lessons for Hungary from South Africa, Sri Lanka, and beyond
Periods of political change can provide windows to confront entrenched state capture.
Viktor Orbán’s recent removal from power in Hungary has opened a moment in which questions about institutional renewal and accountability are particularly salient.
This GI ACE roundtable brings together experts from across the globe to examine how countries emerging from deep institutional distortion have approached recovery – and what insights may be relevant for contexts now facing a potential opening.
Speakers will explore the political conditions that shape recovery efforts, the strategies reformers have used to push back against capture, and the practical tools that help rebuild integrity and public trust.
Daniel Kaufmann (Chair/Provocateur) | Co-Founder, Natural Resource Governance Institute: Dr. Daniel Kaufmann is a recognized leader in the fields of governance, anti-corruption, natural resources and development economics. Currently a Sr. Fellow at Results for Development (R4D) and the Governance Action Hub, he is also affiliated with the Brookings Institution, and is an Honorary Visiting Professor at the ÌìÌÃÊÓƵ.
József Péter Martin | Executive Director, Transparency International Hungary: József has been the Executive Director of Transparency International Hungary since 2013. He is also a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Public Policy at Corvinus University of Budapest.
Sankhitha Gunaratne | Head of Governance and Anti-Corruption, Verité Research: With a legal background as an Attorney-at-Law, Sankhitha Gunaratne has dedicated her career to promoting transparent, accountable, and participatory governance in Sri Lanka. Her work spans several critical areas, including the right to information, election campaign finance, public sector integrity, private sector corruption, and international asset recovery.
Jonathan Timm | Head of the Programme Management Office, State Capture Response, The Presidency, South Africa: Jonathan Timm works on coordinating implementation of the South African government’s response to the Zondo Commission on State Capture, focusing on translating recommendations into trackable actions and strengthening systems for accountability and institutional reform. He has worked across multiple parts of the state, from frontline service delivery to the national executive, including leading citizen-based monitoring programmes and developing systems to track investigative referrals and disciplinary actions.
Liz Dávid-Barrett | Director, Centre for the Study of Corruption: Liz leads the Centre for the Study of Corruption’s activities in research, teaching, and policy impact. Additionally, she is the Director of GI ACE, an FCDO funded research programme based at the Centre for the Study of Corruption.