By Michael Sidwell

All five countries scored lower than 3.0 out of a possible 10 in TI's 2008 Corruption Perception’s Index, indicating high-levels of public sector corruption throughout the region. TI chapters though, are working hard to change this by demanding transparency, accountability and good governance.

On her travels Labelle met with TI chapter staff to learn more about their work and to discuss future plans. She also participated in the launches of several chapter surveys.

“I’ve been to Africa many times. I’ve visited cities and huts, met with heads of state and shared meals with local communities, but this was a special trip. It was the first time since being elected to head of our international anti-corruption movement that I am travelling to the region,” said Labelle.

Labelle also met with various members of the recently elected African Union anti-corruption advisory board to discuss possible opportunities for collaboration. The establishment of the board is seen as a positive step. Tasked with promoting anti-corruption measures on the continent, it is also responsible for impartially advising governments on the nature and scope of corruption, and creating partnerships with civil society organisations.

In Tanzania Labelle joined TI vice-chair Akere Muna and TI founder Peter Eigen for an International Monetary Fund meeting in Tanzania on “Changes: Successful Partnerships for Africa’s Growth Challenge.” The conference delegates discussed how Africa can sustain and build on its recent economic success in light of the financial crisis and increasing insecurity for many of the world’s poor.

By Georg Neumann

A list of detailed measures for the EU to fight corruption proposed by the petition include: transparent aid flows to partner countries; requiring extractive companies to fully disclose payments made to governments of the countries where they operate; better coordination in efforts to halt tax evasion and the illicit financial activities; and prioritising the fight against corruption in all EU policies and spending.

Transparency International supports the petition, which can be found at www.stopcorruption.eu.

Please take a minute to sign and share the link with your colleagues and friends.

You can also join the STOP CORRUPTION Facebook Group at (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=57711198748&ref=nf)

For more information on TI’s work on the EU level, look at: www.transparencyinternational.eu

By Georg Neumann

Global Witness claims that by accepting corrupt heads of state and their families as customers, without verifying carefully that the origins of their monies are not illicit, banks are assisting them in enriching themselves. As required by national anti-money laundering laws, banks need to ensure due diligence of clients potentially having access to state monies and that are exposed to a greater risk of corruption and bribery.

The report gives recommendations on what needs to be done by governments, regulators and banks to avoid this malaise in the international banking systems and calls for money laundering laws to be tightened, as well as reforms to the financial regulatory system.

In a letter to UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Transparency International highlighted the efforts needed to strengthen the work of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and other international governmental organisations. This should include publishing information and assessments of countries’ compliance with anti-money laundering and transparency standards, and require that financial institutions take this information into account.