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Arab universities must admit the cost of corruption

11 November 2013 in Africa and Middle East, Education, Politics and government, Young people

This article by Elizabeth Buckner orignally appeared on Al-Fanar Media, a website featuring news and opinion about higher education within and beyond the Arab world. A report released by Transparency International, “Global Corruption Report: Education,” is the first report by the organization examining corruption in education. But the report hardly covers the issue at Arab […]

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Whistleblowers: regulators of last resort

6 November 2013 in Accountability, Americas, Europe and Central Asia, European Union, Financial Markets, People power, Politics and government, Whistleblowing

Over the past half-century, national governments have developed complex regulatory structures to oversee public health, banking, utilities, food safety, communications, transportation and other industries. By the 1980s, however, the United States and United Kingdom began pushing the policy pendulum in the other direction – deregulating industries sector by sector. Through international organisations, governments around the […]

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Leaks, press freedom and state surveillance: is this our fight?

5 November 2013 in Accountability, Civil society, Defence and Security, Europe and Central Asia, Politics and government, Technology, Whistleblowing

Ever since the Wikileaks debate came to the fore, I have been wondering to what extent we, as Transparency International, should be taking a stand on the issue of Wikileaks, and what that stand should be. On the one hand we stand for transparency, principally because we are an anti-corruption organisation and transparency is one […]

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Spain’s new law on transparency a good first step

4 November 2013 in Access to information, Accountability, Europe and Central Asia, European Union, Impunity, Politics and government, Private sector

After a summer of corruption scandals in Spanish politics, the country’s Congress passed a new piece of legislation on transparency and access to information this September. Public tolerance for corruption had reached boiling point with companies, parties and even the royal family seemingly acting with impunity after graft allegations. The new legislation is now headed […]

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Ireland’s first steps to join Open Government Partnership

29 October 2013 in Access to information, Accountability, Anti-corruption movement, Civil society, Europe and Central Asia, Events, Politics and government

This week several representatives from Transparency International will join about 1,000 members of civil society and government to discuss transparency, accountability and participation at the Open Government Partnership London Summit. Nuala Haughey, advocacy and research manager with Transparency InternationaI Ireland, will be attending as well. This blog originally appeared on the Open Government Partnership website. […]

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Keeping their word: a look at politicians running on anti-corruption platforms

4 October 2013 in Accountability, Anti-corruption movement, Civil society, Politics and government

The international community is far less tolerant of corruption than it was only 20 years ago. There is a growing outrage from civil society and research has increasingly demonstrated the negative effects of corruption on political stability, economic growth and poverty alleviation. One could say that anti-corruption is “hip”. This trend is also reflected in […]

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Venezuela: corruption is ruining the country

13 September 2013 in Americas, Civil society, People power, Politics and government

Recently Nicolás Maduro, President of Venezuela, announced he would request decree powers to “vaccinate Venezuela’s democracy and public sector” against corruption. The government’s initiative to address this issue is crucial, but increasing the executive’s power will not eradicate corruption. If the presidency aims to succeed in the fight against corruption, it should foster transparency at […]

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US$1 million for reforestation missing in Peru

22 August 2013 in Access to information, Americas, Asset recovery, Cost of Corruption, Forestry, Politics and government

Tracking public money in Peru can feel like chasing smoke and mirrors. The state often keeps a lid on official documents, meaning trails can lead to dead-ends. In this case the information was not missing, but some of it turned out to be false. Until recently, the city of Pajarillo was known for illegal trade […]

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Review of World Bank Sanctions System: A Good Start but Additional Transparency Needed

14 August 2013 in Politics and government, Poverty and development

The World Bank Group is currently undertaking an evaluation and review of its Sanctions System. That Sanctions System is an integral part of the Bank’s Anti-Corruption policy in that it provides a framework for punishing corrupt contractors, thereby creating a deterrent to corruption. A well-functioning Sanctions System is also important in helping to ensure that the […]

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Marching against corruption in Brazil: the final days

13 August 2013 in Americas, Anti-corruption movement, Civil society, Cost of Corruption, Human rights, People power, Politics and government, Poverty and development, Water

  This post is authored by Lirian Pádua, a Journalism graduate who works as a reporter, editor, and photographer and is volunteering for the NGO Batra (Bauru Transparente), a member of Amarribo Brasil’s network.   The 12th March against corruption that wound its way through the arid countryside of Piauí came to end a couple of weeks ago. […]

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