• The launch of Transparency International Romania’s National Integrity Systems Assessment (third edition) will take place at the Romanian Academy in Bucharest on January 26th 2012, beginning at 10.00am.

• National Integrity Systems Assessments have also been launched recently in the UK and the Czech Republic, with many more European assessments scheduled for release in the coming weeks.

• Transparency International Romania believes that corruption in Romania destroys lives and harms the health, education and future of young people. It denies access to justice and public services, it misinforms and it deprives. The National Integrity System Assessment shows that this is allowed to happen because Romanian institutions lack resources, are not sufficiently independent, and are not transparent, responsible or accountable. Only the precise diagnosis of systemic problems and an accurate identification of each institution’s weaknesses can contribute to strengthening of the integrity system and a decrease in corruption.

• During the event, there will be discussion on the results of the research and the value of integrity for Romania. As a conclusion, Transparency International Romania and guests will discuss changes to Romanian anti-corruption policy and integrity-building - changes that will lead to a better life for Romania and its citizens.

• Prominent personalities from Romanian public life will also be present and will debate projects aimed at the modernization of Romanian society.

• Please r.s.v.p by January 24th 2012/ Contact person: Oana Lungu

Note: A National Integrity System Assessment is an empirical analytical piece of research, assessing qualitatively the main institutions and sectors of Romanian society on the public integrity side. The aim of the research is to understand the contribution and needs of each institutional actor in the fight against corruption. The assessment reports on the period 2009-2011. There is more information on National Integrity System Assessments here.

With the theme, “Mobilising People: Connecting Agents of Change” the 15th edition of the biennial International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) will be held in Brasília, Brazil from 7 - 10 November 2012.

• Since 1983, the conference series has served as the leading independent global platform for people who want to limit the damaging impact of corruption on governance, the economy, the environment and most importantly on people’s everyday lives, especially the most vulnerable.

• The last edition of the conference, held in Bangkok, Thailand in November 2010, brought together more than 1300 people from over 135 countries, including Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva; Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Managing Director of the World Bank; Gareth Evans, President Emeritus of the International Crisis Group; and Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International; as well as grassroots campaigners from around the world and young journalists from across Asia, to name a few.

• Over 1,500 participants from more than 135 countries are expected at the 15th IACC, from the public and private sectors, the judiciary and law enforcement; activists, academia, media, and civil society.