Special News

Special News from 2024

ntegrity Review for Jordan. Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (December 2024)
In English and Arabic--See the overview in the Executive Summary

"Recognising that corruption hampers public sector modernisation, economic progress and foreign investment, Jordan is undertaking ambitious reforms to tackle it. The reforms provide an opportunity to build on past achievements while taking a more modern approach to anti-corruption that focuses on integrity. This Integrity Review provides concrete recommendations on how Jordan can strengthen its institutional arrangements and take a strategic approach to public integrity, including promoting a culture of integrity throughout the public administration and the whole of society. The report also offers suggestions for reinforcing both internal and external control and audit, improving the whistleblowing framework and strengthening the criminal investigation of corruption cases."

International Anti-Corruption Day (9 December 2024) Uniting with Youth Against Corruption--Shaping Tomorrow's Integrity." Our world confronts numerous challenges, tragedies, inequalities and injustices, many of which are tied to corruption. With 1.8 billion young people in the world, fighting corruption is vital for the future of nearly a quarter of the global population. While young people are significantly affected by corruption, they also have the potential to become powerful agents of change in the fight for a future rooted in integrity....Therefore, the campaign for International Anti-Corruption Day 2024-2025 focuses on the role young guardians of integrity play as advocates, raising awareness about corruption and its impacts on their communities. They will actively participate in discussions, share their experiences and propose innovative solutions to combat corruption. The campaign will amplify voices of integrity leaders of tomorrow, allowing them to express their concerns and aspirations, with the hope that their appeals will be heard and acted upon. " (quote from website)

15 November 2024 is the first International Day for the Prevention of and Fight against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime (TOC). Theme--Pulling together to push back: United against organized crime--Organized crime steals, corrupts and kills. "Criminal networks are exploiting global vulnerabilities on a vast scale—from human trafficking to environmental destruction and cybercrime. Organized crime operates across borders, posing serious challenges that no country can tackle alone...Led by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), this campaign showcases success stories where cooperation has led to meaningful progress, from dismantling trafficking networks to promoting sustainable alternatives to illicit economies. Together, we can push back against organized crime and build safer, more resilient communities worldwide." Short video overview HERE. High level event on 15 November at the United Nations Vienna HERE (archived on UN WebTV). See the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime. Note also the Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.

21st International Anti-Corruption Conference--Transparency International
Confronting Global Treats--Standing Up for Integrity

(18-21 June 2024) Vilnius, Lithuania

Archived videos HERE

Integrity at All Costs,  Global Integrity Network--hybrid conference in Toronto (1 June 2024)

The recordings are available at the above link (presentations, testimonies, and discussions).
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Special News from 2023

See the summary on the blog post of the recent Global Coalition Conference--The Road to CoSP10 (the 10th UN Conference on States Parties to the UN Convention Against Corruption to be held in early December this year in Washington DC). The Global Coalition Conference convened to coordinate advocacy on five key topics--whistleblower protection, political financing, procurement, beneficial ownership transparency and civic space and these five topics are summarized on the blog post linked above.

Global Report of Cocaine: Local Dynamics, Global Challenges (16 March 2023). UN Office on Drugs and Crime

Globethics--Ongoing courses and webinars/events online and hybrid related to ethics, teaching ethics in higher education, leadership, peace, intrafaith initiatives, etc. One example is the Responsible Leadership course starting on 27 March 2023 and going for 12 weeks.

Tracking the reviews of how countries are implementing the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). UNCAC--Civil Society Coalition. Note also the Guide by Transparency Inernational and the UNCAC-Civil Society Coalition on Using the UNCAC to Advance Anti-Corruption Effrots (2014).

United Nations, Sustainable Development Goals (in the six official UN languages)
17 Goals, 169 Targets, 247 Indicators

G20 Interfaith Forum, Working Group on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (corruption is 1 of 6 topics)

Civil 20 (C20) is one of the official Engagement Groups of the G20. “It provides a platform of Civil Society Organizations around the world to bring forth the political dialogue with the G20. The Civil 20 process involves a wide variety of organizations and networks far beyond the G20 countries and it is structured around the C20 Guiding Principles. The C20 is organized in thematic Working Groups with two co-facilitators, one from the host country and one from the international civil society.”
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Special News from 2022

--“The UNCAC Coalition [Civil Society Coalition for the UN Convention Against Corruption]--launched the Short Film Series: Unveiling our Stories “ Victims of Corruption” [6-10 minutes long] based on the videos submitted to the Short Film Contest last year. Our feature films for the summer are The Boogeyman: Who Killed Sherry Anne Duncan? [Thailand], Corruption Files: The Whistleblower: Ana Garrido [Spain, and 18 Plaintiffs from Indonesia]. Corruption is happening behind closed doors. Society as a whole, institutions, communities, the public, and individuals are victimized, due to both direct and indirect consequences of corruption. Therefore, the aim of our short film series is to give a voice, a face, and a platform to such victims of corruption who struggle to be recognized and who are seeking reparation. Please follow the series on social media with the hashtags #VoCSeries, #VictimsofCorruption, and #Corruption. Learn more about the Short Film Series here!”

--Anti-Corruption Training Events from the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)​. The Use of Technologies for Battling Corruption (free e-course available online from 9 May-June 20--in Arabic and English), Anti-Corruption and Sustainable Development (free e-course in Arabic availble on line from 13 May-26 June), and Contemporary Literacy on Anti-Corruption (free online conference from 24-25 May 2022). See more materials and updates on anti-corruption from UNITAR HERE.

--Globethics.net Academy Course Programme 2022: Presenting an Ethical Education Ecosystem for You. This one hour information session overviews the four online courses launching this semester on: Social Responsibility & Sustainable Development, Ethics in Higher Education for Teaching Professionals, Interreligious Cooperation for Peace: Ethical Studies and Responsible Leadership. The Globethics.net Library and Publications team will also introduce the many resources available for you during your studies and beyond.

--UNCAC Civil Society Coalition. Update 11 February 2022. "The global civil society network for the implementation and monitoring of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)." “A lot happened at the 9th UNCAC Conference of the States Parties (CoSP). To find out more, see our: summary of the adopted resolutions and decisions key take-aways from the plenary discussions; photo summary of the event; and the documentation of all submissions, statements and activities of the UNCAC Coalition and its members at the CoSP.”

--How Transparent Are Countries About Their Implementation of the UN Convention Against Corruption? UNCAC Coalition (27 April 2022). "Together with partner NGOs we so far have filed access to information requests in over 20 countries, asking governments to release key documents from their UNCAC implementation reviews, as well as data on stakeholder participation and follow-up actions. More than ten official UNCAC review documents, which were previously secret, have already been released."

--Corruption Perceptions Index 2021 (25 January 2022). Transparency International. "“Two years into the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) reveals that corruption levels remain at a standstill worldwide. Despite commitments on paper, 131 countries have made no significant progress against corruption over the last decade, and this year 27 countries are at a historic low in their CPI score. Meanwhile, human rights and democracy across the world are under assault. This is no coincidence. Corruption enables human rights abuses. Conversely, ensuring basic rights and freedoms means there is less space for corruption to go unchallenged. The 2021 CPI results show that countries with well-protected civil and political liberties generally control corruption better. The fundamental freedoms of association and expression are crucial in the fight for a world free of corruption. There is an urgent need to accelerate the fight against corruption if we are to halt human rights abuses and democratic decline across the globe.”

--The Globethics.net discussion paper, Ethics in Higher Education-A Key Driver to Recovery in a World Living with COVID-19, was launched on the International Day of Education (24 January) this year. "It invites us to reflect and exchange on the transformative potential, lived experiences and vision of an education and an educational system that is based on ethical values and principles." 

--What to do About Fraud in the Workplace. Making It Work Podcast, Theology of Work Project, Fuller Theological Seminary. “If you suspect fraud in your workplace, what should you do about it? Our guest today, Charles Malgwi, faced this nightmare scenario at his supposed dream job. He navigated through a banking system riddled with fraud to become an expert in forensic accounting. Today, he is a professor of accounting, and he recently won the Gregory H Damian Award for excellence in teaching.” You can also read the transcript below the podcast image-link above.

--Global Investigations Review (GIR). GIR provides global coverage of corporate investigations and their aftermath. Their daily news updates can keep you up to date with significant developments in the world of corporate investigations.

A Day in the News--20 January 2022
Examples from mainstream international news sources reflecting the multi-faceted and intertwining nature of both integrity and corruption:
--Millionaires ask to pay more tax. A group of more than 100 of the world's richest people have called on governments to make them pay more tax. BBC

--Ex-pope Benedict accused of inaction in sexual abuse cases. Long-awaited report says Joseph Ratzinger ‘failed to act’ on instances of alleged misconduct while archbishop of Munich and Freising. Al Jazeera

--French lawmakers officially recognise China’s treatment of Uyghurs as ‘genocide.’ France's parliament on Thursday denounced a "genocide" by China against its Uyghur Muslim population, in a resolution that risks straining ties between Paris and Beijing two weeks before the Winter Olympics. France 24

--Two Mexican journalists killed in just two weeks. "The photojournalist Margarito Martinez Esquivel, 49, first received threats on Facebook a good month ago. He was falsely accused of running a number of obscure sites spreading gossip about the drug underworld in his hometown Tijuana. He was a courageous, experienced journalist who was familiar with the security situation in Mexico, the world of drug trafficking and the danger of such accusations..." DW  [More info interviewing Mexican journalists on BBC OS 16 February 2022 stating at minute 45]

More News--Posted in 2002
World Mental Health Day (10 October 2021). Theme: Mental Health in an Unequal World. World Federation for Mental Health et al. “Access to mental health services remains unequal, with between 75% to 95% of people with mental disorders in low- and middle-income countries unable to access mental health services at all, and access in high income countries is not much better. Lack of investment in mental health is disproportionate to the overall health budget contributes to the mental health treatment gap. Many people with a mental illness do not receive the treatment that they are entitled to and deserve and together with their families and carers continue to experience stigma and discrimination. The gap between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ grows ever wider and there is continuing unmet need in the care of people with a mental health problem.”

  (May 2021). Smriti Sharma, Saurabh Singhal, and Finn Tarp. Journal of Economic Behaviour and Organization. Highlights: "We examine the relationship between exposure to local corruption and mental health in rural Vietnam. Using two datasets, we find strong and consistent evidence that petty corruption is positively associated with psychological distress. Suggestive evidence that a recent anti-corruption campaign had significant positive effects on mental health. There may be substantial psychosocial and mental health benefits from efforts to reduce corruption and improve governance."

Faith and Anti-Corruption: A Conversation with Katherine Marshall (Georgetown University) and Roberto Laver (FPIN) (60 minute webinar, 22 March 2021). Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities and Faith and Public Integrity Network (FPIN). Listen to the conversation and the Q/A as two senior level, respected experts discuss the opportunities and challenges for faith leaders and organizations in promoting public integrity and fighting corruption.

How Might Faith-Based Actors Play a Role in Changing Values and Norms in Corruption? (29 March 2021). Roberto Laver. Leir Institute, The Fetcher School, Tufts University. "The conventional technocratic anti-corruption reforms (such as anti-corruption agencies; new legal and regulatory frameworks on public procurement and access to information; new monitoring mechanisms and new judicial structures), are not producing a real and lasting transformation in the rules of the game, and this is unsurprising to anyone who has grown up in a similar environment of endemic corruption, as I did. While many factors might explain these disappointing results, there is a growing realization that a more positive and broader focus on building values and norms of public integrity is needed to produce a collective shift in behavior."

G20 Interfaith Forum, Working Group on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (corruption is 1 of 6 topics)

Genocide: Bearing Witness. Global Integration Update, December 2020. "In this Update we feature the contributions from genocide scholar Dr. Jane Gangi. As the Guest Contributor, she shares her perspectives as well as core resources for understanding, preventing, and confronting the crime of genocide. Historical examples of genocide and current crises are also highlighted, noting that genocide in its many insidious forms continues to plague humanity and that confronting it entails political, social, and personal action--and risks."

Mistakes Were Made (but not by me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Behaviors. (2020, 3rd edition). Caroll Tavris and Elliot Aronson.

Building New Bridges Together: Strengthening Ethics in Higher Education after COVID-19. Globethics, virtual conference with four tracks, 25 June 2020, pre-conference events 17-24 June 2020

OECD Public Integrity Handbook (May 2020). "...provides guidance to government, business and civil society on implementing the [13] OECD Recommendation on Public Integrity. " Available in English and French.

The Psychology Behind Unethical Behavior (12 April 2019), Merete Wedell-Wedellsborg, Harvard Business Review.

Resolving Ethical Dilemmas: 50 Cases from Africa for Teaching and Training (2019). Editors: Tobe Nnamani and Christoph Stückelberger

Institutional Integrity: An Essential Building Block of Sustainable Reform (October 2018), report by James Michel.

International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC–Number 19), Remotely, 30 November-5 December 2020, Transparency International et al.

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Special News from 2021

13-17 December 2021: Ninth Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC/COSP9), Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. More information is on the website of UN Office of Drugs and Crime.  Recordings of some of the Special Events are available HERE

13 December 13:00 (UTC): Corruption and Anti-Corruption in Health Care: Why do we speak so little about them?  Organised by the Faith and Public Integrity Network.  Link to watch the one hour recording of the webinar HERE.

9 December 2021, 9am--11am (New York Time): Integrity: Fighting the  Evil of Corruption. Organized by the Integrity and Anti-Corruption Network (GIN), Lausanne Movement-World Evangelical Association--Update--Presentations available on the GIN website HERE. 

21 August 2021: Anti-Corruption: Perspectives and Practices (9am–11am, New York Time)
Integrity and Anti-Corruption Network, Lausanne-WEA. 

2-4 June 2021: United Nations General Assembly Special Session Against Corruption: "Challenges and measures to prevent and combat corruption and strengthen international cooperation" (10:00-13:00 and 15:18:00 EST, everyday; livestreamed and archived on UN Web TV).  Also: watch the 80 minute High-Level Supporting Event with Civil Society and UN presenters, 3 June 13:30-15:00: Addressing Corruption in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Livestreamed on UN Web TV and video archived HERE. Also note the Political Declaration was unanimously adopted on day one (18 pages; note "integrity" is included 19 times): "Our common commitment to effectively addressing challenges and implementing measures to prevent and combat corruption and strengthen international cooperation."

“The special session will provide an opportunity to galvanize the political will of governments and the international community as a whole in advancing the fight against corruption. Governments will be able to take stock of global efforts and commitments and identify solutions to common challenges in preventing and combating corruption. The special session will also contribute to driving forward the efforts of countries to fully and effectively implement the Convention, including by, inter alia, sharing best practices and lessons learned." (excerpt from website) 

"Corruption threatens the stability and security of societies, undermines public trust and institutions, and jeopardizes sustainable development. It distorts markets, stifles economic growth and diverts funds from public services. While corruption is a global phenomenon, evidence shows that it has a disproportionate impact on certain demographics, in particular poorer communities and the most vulnerable persons. Corrupt practices have a particularly adverse impact on the lives of women, socially, politically and economically, contributing to gender disparity gap.” (excerpt from website) 

1 May 2021: When the Best Is Corrupt--Strategies for Living in Integrity.  A special two hour conference online, organized by the Lausanne-WEA Integrity and Anti-Corruption Network. The three main presentations: Living a Life of Integrity,  Practicing Integrity in the Church, and  Promoting Integrity in Society.  Video presentations, power points and conference materials  HERE.

30 March 2021: Anti-Corruption Collective Actions, What Have We Learned? Lessons from the Ground (scroll down in the link to access the video of the 90 minute session/panelists). Civil Society Policy Forum, World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund, Spring Meetings 2021. "Session abstract: Since the launch of the World Bank guidelines in 2008, a myriad of CSOs has engaged in facilitating anticorruption collective actions. This session brings specialists from 4 countries who have hands-on experience to discuss the challenges of putting these guidelines into practice."

February 2021: Covid Care: Reflections and Resources for Wellbeing. Global Integration Update. "Like it or not, pandemics, like most crises, bring out people's best selves or their worse selves--our selfless and our selfish qualities. The reality of the uncertainties and anxieties of life, and indeed survival--existential risk--is heavy upon the world. Positively, the current COVID-19 pandemic certainly provides plenty of opportunities for us all--individually and collectively--to reflect on the types of people we want to be, the types of societies we need to build, and the types of changes we have to make. Courage and choice can not be conquered by corona...We also note that the many overlapping problems in our world continue unabated--pandemics themselves--even as this covid pandemic dominates the center stage globally: multi-dimensional poverty, protracted violence, conflicts, forced migration, human rights violations, gross inequalities, racism, mental ill health, environmental degradation, corruption, etc. (for example, review 10 Humanitarian Crises and Trends to Watch in 2021, New Humanitarian). This is the ongoing, cascading context which challenges us daily as we seek to practically support the wellbeing of all persons, all peoples, and the planet." (excerpt)

9 December 2020: This day is designated by the United Nations as both International Anti-Corruption Day and International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of Victims of the Crime of Genocide and the Prevention of this Crime.

19th international Anti-Corruption Conference, 30 November-5 December 2020. Two suggestions:

--Opening Plenary (minute 4 through minute 16) including the 10 minute address from former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. He concludes: “With a transformative global vision, you can help realize justice and integrity for all…Let us work together to make this world better for all where nobody is left behind. I count on your leadership and strong commitment.”

--Plenary 4: Breaking Vicious Cycles of Dirty Money and Impunity. Watching the entire plenary, including the Q and A, is well worth it. 90 minutes.

December 2020:  Genocide: Bearing Witness…"We can’t just Pontius Pilate 800,000 people.”
Global Integration Update, Member Care Associates.
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Special News from 2020

Official Channels (2020). Brian Martin. Irene Publishing. Note: Available online for free. There is no subtitle to this book. Our suggestion would be something like this: When Doing the Sensible Thing Makes No Sense--Exploring the Limits of and Alternatives to Formal Procedures for Whistleblowing, Confronting Corruption, Resolving Problems, and Seeking Justice.

Building New Bridges Together: Strengthening Ethics in Higher Education after COVID-19. Globethics, virtual conference with four tracks, 25 June 2020, pre-conference events 17-24 June 2020

OECD Public Integrity Handbook (May 2020). "...provides guidance to government, business and civil society on implementing the [13] OECD Recommendation on Public Integrity. " Available in English and French.

The Psychology Behind Unethical Behavior (12 April 2019), Merete Wedell-Wedellsborg, Harvard Business Review.

Resolving Ethical Dilemmas: 50 Cases from Africa for Teaching and Training (2019). Editors: Tobe Nnamani and Christoph Stückelberger

Institutional Integrity: An Essential Building Block of Sustainable Reform (October 2018), report by James Michel.