Transparency International Integrity Awards 2004 open for nominations

Awards programme honours individuals and organisations whose efforts are making a distinct difference in curbing corruption

Nominations are now being accepted for the Transparency International Integrity Awards 2004. The annual awards programme honours the courage and determination of individuals and organisations fighting corruption around the world. The Awards were first held in 2000, and are organised by Transparency International (TI), the international non-governmental organisation dedicated to fighting corruption worldwide.

The past year has seen dramatic corruption cases, such as the Elf trial, which starkly emphasised the importance of an independent judiciary, and Acres International, a Canadian firm convicted by the government of Lesotho for massive bribery in the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.In order to keep the spotlight on the fight against corruption worldwide, TI is calling on all sectors of society to support the Integrity Awards programme. The closing date for nominations is 2 April 2004. The awards will be presented in October/November 2004.

"Winning the battle against corruption will be impossible without the determination of brave men and women who work, often at great personal risk, to improve society," said Peter Eigen, Chairman of Transparency International.

In 2003, Integrity Awards went to Dr Dora Akunyili, the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration in Nigeria, Sua Rimoni Ah Chong, the former Controller and Chief Auditor of Samoa, and Anna Hazare, an Indian campaigner against corruption in forestry and in government.

This year's Integrity Awards committee includes Eva Joly, who was the investigating judge in the Elf affair in France. Well-known for her courage, she stood up to the establishment, investigating leading politicians, including Roland Dumas and Bernard Tapie, despite numerous death threats. For her remarkable courage, she earned the TI Integrity Award 2001. Joly is now a special adviser to the Norwegian government on international corruption and money laundering.

The Integrity Awards are conferred on a person or organisation whose actions are likely to significantly influence or impact existing levels of corruption in a country. For more information about the programme and for nomination guidelines, please see:
www.transparency.org/integrityawards.

Media Contacts:
Berlin:

Sarah Tyler

Jana Kotalik

Tel : +49-30-3438 2019

Fax: +49-30-3470 3912

Email: press@transparency.org