Action against corruption
A few principles...
Fighting corruption begins at home.
Transparency is key.
Anti-corruption Conventions are useless without prosecutions.
Naming and shaming wrongdoers is a powerful deterrent.
Confidentiality and libel threats are often used to hide abuse.
Whistleblowers must have legal protection from retaliation.
Banks must return ‘dirty money’ to the countries from which it has been stolen.
Aid must be transparent so that it can be monitored by those for whom it is intended.
Corporations must be made more accountable.
Governments that turn a blind eye to corruption are complicit in corruption.
Finding out more....
Transparency International
www.transparency.org
First port of call, with excellent international resources and publications including annual reports, surveys on global corruption, newsletters.
The Corner House
www.thecornerhouse.org.uk
Thorough and cutting-edge research papers and reports on corruption and a range of ethical, environmental and global justice issues.
Multinational Monitor
http://multinationalmonitor.org
First class international magazine dealing with issues relating to corporate power.
Getting involved...
There are thousands of groups fighting corruption around the world – especially in the global South. But we focus here on international organizations and those in countries with large numbers of New Internationalist subscribers:
INTERNATIONAL
Transparency International
Leading international coalition of organizations fighting corruption. Has over 100 national chapters.
web: www.tranparency.org
tel: (International secretariat) +49 30 34 38 20 0
email: ti@transparency.org
Tiri
Smaller organization created by TI co-founder Jeremy Pope in 2003.
web: www.tiri.org
email: info@tiri.org
tel: + 44 (0) 20 7022 1905
Open Society Institute
web: www.soros.org/about
Unicorn
A global unions anti-corruption network which mobilizes workers to share information and coordinate action to combat international bribery; collects evidence and publishes research.
web: www.againstcorruption.org
email: unicorn@againstcorruption.org
Global Witness
Highlights the link between the exploitation of natural resources and human rights abuses, particularly where resources are used to fund and perpetuate conflict and corruption.
web: www.globalwitness.org
email: mail@globalwitness.org
tel: (head office) +44 (0)20 7272 6731
Tax Justice Network
A non-aligned coalition of researchers and activists with a shared concern about the harmful impacts of tax avoidance, tax competition and tax havens.
web: www.taxjustice.net
email: info@taxjustice.net
Reporters Without Borders
Upholds press freedom and defends journalists persecuted for doing their job.
web: www.rsf.org
AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND
Transparency International New Zealand
web: www.transparency.org
email: tinz@paradise.net.nz
tel: +64 4 496 9625
Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa (CAFCA)
web: www.cafca.org.nz
email: cafca@chch.planet.org.nz
Action Research Education Network of Aotearoa (ARENA)
web: www.arena.org.nz
email: arena.nz@clear.net.nz
tel: + 64 3 366 2803
AUSTRALIA
Transparency International Australia
web: www.tranparency.org.au
email: tioz@transparency.org.au
tel/fax: +61 29389 5930
www.whistleblowing.com.au
Website dedicated to all the honest police and brave members of the public who are prepared to speak about police corruption and mismanagement.
EthicsWorld.org
A forum for news, research and analysis on the related fields of corruption, corporate governance, corporate social responsibility and workplace ethics.
web: www.ethicsworld.org
BRITAIN
Transparency International UK
web: www.transparency.org
email: info@transparency.org.uk
tel: +44 20 7785 6356
The Corner House
Research and campaigning group that had the chutzpah to take the British Government to court – and win.
web: www.thecornerhouse.org.uk
email: enquiries@thecornerhouse.org.uk
tel: +44 (0)1258 473795
Public Concern at Work
Whistleblower support group that supports local and open whistleblowing.
web: www.pcaw.co.uk
tel: +44 (0)20 7404 6609
Campaign Against the Arms Trade
web: www.caat.org.uk
tel: +44 (0)20 72810297.
email: enquiries@caat.org.uk.
World Development Movement
web: www.wdm.org.uk
tel: +44 020 7820 4900
email: wdm@wdm.org.uk
Corporate Watch
Research group which undertakes research on the social and environmental impact of large corporations.
web: www.corporatewatch.org.uk
tel: +44 (0)1865 791 391
CANADA
Transparency International Canada
web: www.tranparency.org
email: heiwa@attglobal.net
tel: +1 416 488 3939
FAIR (Federal Accountability Initiative for Reform)
Promotes integrity and accountability within government by empowering employees to speak out without fear of reprisal when they encounter wrongdoing.
web: www.fairwhistleblower.ca
tel: +1 613-569-4814
Democracy Watch
Canada’s leading citizen group advocating democratic reform, government accountability and corporate responsibility.
web: www.dwatch.ca
email: dwatch@web.net
tel: +1 613-241-5179
Probe International
Exposes the affect of Canada’s aid and trade abroad.
web: www.probeinternational.org
tel: +1 416 964 9223
IRELAND
Transparency International Ireland
web: www.transparency.org
email: info@transparency.ie
tel: +353 1 896 3705
US
Transparency International USA
web: www.transparency-usa.org
email: transparency@transparency-usa.org
tel: +1 202- 89 1616
Government Accountability Project
Whistleblower support network
web: www.whistleblower.org
tel: (national office) +1 202 408 0034
tel: (West Coast office) +1 206 292 2850
Corpwatch
Investigates and exposes corporate violations of human rights, environmental crimes, fraud and corruption around the world.
web: www.corpwatch.org
tel: +1 510-271-8080
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Voices from the margins:
Multimedia: video, podcasts, and more.
- Poetry Slam in Zimbabwe
- The House of Hunger poetry slam held in Zimbabwe in 2006, and organised by the Pamberi Trust, showcased young artists performing inspirational work on issues from corporate power to child soldiers. The video features four of the poets.
Published by Pambazuka News.
- Iranian women speak out
- 3 March 2007, London. Women's rights activists marched through the English capital last week to celebrate International Women's Day with a protest against the misogyny of the Islamic regime in Iran and the threat of invasion by the US. Hear the voices of Iranian feminists Azar and Leila Parnian and the sounds of the demonstration as it passed through the heart of the city. Click here to learn more about the campaign.
Produced by Heidi Bachram.
- Raised Voices audio:
- Benny from West Papua on Corporate Power
- Vinayan from India on agriculture
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