The week of May 12-16 will be an anxious one for government bureaucrats.  That's when whistleblowers and government watchdog groups will
gather on Capitol Hill to reveal new scandals and shed fresh insights on past scandals.  Speakers will describe the immense challenges in reporting corruption and abuses of power - challenges that urgently require new legislation to protect truthtellers. 

A schedule of events is available on the website of the International Association of Whistleblowers, the organization coordinating the conference.  Muckraking journalists and interested citizens are invited to attend, free of charge.  Organizers say, "Pay no attention to the website's request for a registration fee," but please register in advance, if you can.

Event Schedule

Below is a summary of the schedule, plus last-minute details not available on the website.

Monday, May 12

The conference begins at the Stewart Mott House (122 Maryland Avenue, NE) with an opening plenary (8:30 am) followed by panels on domestic surveillance (9:00), aviation safety  and security (10:00), and scientific freedom (11:30).

At 1 p.m., at the Dirksen Senate Office Building (Rm 342), there will be a Congressional forum, "Congress at the Crossroads for Your Rights," describing recent gains in whistleblower rights and the rights that must yet be won.  Staffs or members of 12 Congressional officers are expected to attend. Following that will be a workshop called "Saving Public Hospitals" and a presentation by the Semmelweis Society, an organization of medical whistleblowers.

At 6:30 p.m., there will be a book signing and live music by a guitar duo, "The Senior Lifeguards," at The Warehouse Arts Center, 1017 Seventh Street, NW, (across from the Washington Convention Center).

Tuesday, May 13

This day's events begin at 9 a.m., at the Washington Court Hotel. They include forums on the Office of Special Counsel, judicial oversight, and a series of events sponsored by Taxpayers Against Fraud, an organization that works on "qui tam" cases.

TAF will have a luncheon with Mike Bhen, TAF Whistleblower Lawyer of the Year, followed by a Mentoring project (1:10), the presentation of a lifetime achievement award to Ernie Fitzgerald (2:00 pm), Successful Qui Tam Relator Workshop (2:00 pm), and a presentation, "The Good, the Bad & the Ugly," at 3:00 pm. The day concludes with a book signing by John Schilling of his book, "Undercover."

Wednesday, May 14

The Alliance for Patient Safety will have a forum and award ceremony at a time to be announced.

Thursday, May 15

A Citizens' Forum on Judicial Accountability starts off the day at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Judicial Accountability Debate. Next, there is a presentation by the Government Accountability Project, "From Immunity to Impunity:  Whistleblowers at International Organizations."  Judicial accountability testimony will be held at 1:15 p.m., followed by a workshop on lobbying in support of whistleblower legislation," and an IAW planning session for 2009.

Friday, May 16

Friday morning (time and place to be announced), there will be a presentation on the Whistleblower Archive Project, a whistleblower's retreat, and a session called "Blowing the Whistle on Mortgage Fraud."

The conference is foremost an opportunity for whistleblowers to network, to share their experiences and to use them to promote honest, efficient and cost effective government. As such, it is also an opportunity for concerned citizens to get a behind-the-scenes look at the workings of government. Without those insights, it is difficult, if not impossible, to evaluate the proposals offered by the Presidential candidates and various reform-minded groups.

Other diarists and bloggers are invited to pass along word of the event (and may quote as much of this diary as desired).