news room/in focus/2009

In Focus editions in 2009

2009: looking back to look forward
The year 2009 will undoubtedly be remembered as when the financial crisis unfolded into a global economic downturn, throwing the futures of millions of people into uncertainty and jeopardising valuable progress made on such issues as poverty, human rights and climate change. Efforts to steer us out of the crisis and back on the road to economic growth have seen unprecedented amounts of money pledged and disbursed. However, the scale and scope of the global crisis means that a return to business as usual is insufficient. The crisis exposed not only a need to fundamentally rethink the functioning of the financial sector, but an alarming integrity deficit that is ultimately a root cause of the current situation.
International Anti-Corruption Day 2009
From an idea that began percolating two decades ago, and which was quickly dismissed by the establishment, Transparency International (TI), and the anti-corruption agenda, have grown in influence and scope. TI began its work in 1993 by raising awareness about corruption, conducting research to diagnose the problem in its different forms, and proposing measures that lead to structural change. Such reforms are necessary in the public and private sectors in order to effectively prevent this crime and sanction corruption once it happens.
UN Convention against Corruption: the world is waiting
Representatives from 141 states party to the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) are gathered this week in Doha, Qatar, in a third attempt to settle on a review mechanism to enforce the Convention. If no agreement is reached, or the handful of countries pushing for a diluted version get their way, a pivotal opportunity to achieve an effective global anti-corruption standard will have been missed.
Transparency International Annual Membership Meeting 2009
Transparency International Annual Membership Meeting 2009 With around 300 representatives from Transparency International (TI) chapters from some 100 countries and territories, the organisation’s 2009 annual membership meeting held in Berlin from 17-18 November was the largest to date. The anti-corruption coalition geared up for two days of in depth discussions and strategising with a pre-meeting conference to reflect on the global financial crisis, its roots and how the movement can contribute concrete solutions. During the meeting, resolutions dealing with the UN Convention against Corruption, Germany’s outstanding ratification of the convention and the protection of whistleblowers were adopted. These three issues represent immediate priorities for TI and action on these will be seen as soon as November of this year.
Global Corruption Report 2009: Corruption and the Private Sector
Global Corruption Report 2009
Sport and Corruption
From match-fixing to stadium construction kickbacks, the sporting world has experienced a string of corruption scandals, revealing that even sport is not immune to foul play. Collaborative efforts between sporting organisations, sponsors, sports betting organisations and government have the potential to create effective solutions to combat corruption in sport. However, raising the levels of transparency and risk awareness across the sporting industry are two challenges that must first be met.
Anti-Corruption 2.0: What’s your say on corruption?
In Focus on using social media to fight corruption.
Transparency International Progress Report on the OECD Anti-bribery Convention 2009
OECD Progress Report 2009
Global Corruption Barometer 2009
Transparency International’s 2009 Global Corruption Barometer reveals a growing distrust of business, the daily struggle of the world’s poor with petty bribery and public unconvinced of governments’ anti-corruption efforts. A global public opinion survey, the 2009 Barometer reflects the views of more than 73,000 people from 69 countries and territories around the world.
UNCAC review
In Focus on the UN Convention against Corruption: What needs to happen The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) is the most comprehensive global legal instrument to prevent and fight corruption. It is a binding agreement ratified by 136 states on standards and requirements to prevent, detect, investigate and sanction acts of corruption. Corruption is global in nature and as such, the rights of citizens in one country sometimes depend on better cross-border cooperation, which is a key area addressed by the UNCAC. Transparency International (TI) is part of a global coalition of civil society organisations advocating for a responsible UNCAC working group to ensure appropriate terms for monitoring how well states are fulfilling their responsibility to implement anti-corruption measures set out by the convention. The ultimate goal is to ensure that states party to the UNCAC will approve an effective review mechanism at the third Conference of States Parties in November 2009.
world press freedom day 2009
world press freedom day 2009 A free press speaks for those who cannot speak for themselves. Journalists become the eyes, ears and voice of victims of corruption. We rely on them to seek accountability, stop perpetrators from acting with impunity and to promote the transparency that empowers citizens to make informed decisions.
Summit of the Americas
Summit of the Americas In tackling regional economic development issues and facing the current global economic crisis, leaders will be confronted by the need to address corruption as a fundamental stumbling block on the path to prosperity. Protecting recent economic advances and ensuring future regional growth to fulfil this summit’s goals of securing citizens’ future by “promoting prosperity, energy security and environmental sustainability”, will be difficult without transparency and accountability.
G20: looking for solutions
The transparency solution A world mired in economic crisis and instability is the setting for the meeting of the Group of 20, which includes leaders of industrial and developing countries as well as the European Union, taking place in London on 2 April. The three aims of this G20 Summit -stabilising financial markets, strengthening the global and economic systems and setting a path for sustainable growth- are not possible without addressing a key root cause of the current meltdown, namely a severe lack of basic governance measures, transparency and accountability. From preventing excessive short-term risk taking to exposing potential conflicts of interest, transparency is key to ensuring that confidence is restored.
Promoting good governance in Africa
Corruption in East Africa, from petty bribery to large-scale larceny, can have a devastating impact. Undermining development, destroying public trust and burdening the lives of many, in particular the poor, corruption’s reach is insidious and effect destructive.
2008 Integrity Awards
2008 Integrity Awards
on the frontlines
Fighting corruption on the front lines can come at a devastating personal price. Those who persevere in exposing corruption are often subject to grave physical threats and state scrutiny. In many parts of the world, anti-corruption activists are at constant risk by those who wish to silence individuals involved in the fight against fraudulent ruling powers and corporations.