International Anti-Corruption Day

Corruption could be one of the biggest tragedies of mankind for the simple reason that it is ongoing and extremely difficult to combat, forcing the poor into ever more hopeless conditions while the select few in power get ever richer and more powerful.

Bribes prevent chosen criminals from ever having to take responsibility for what they’ve done, politicians employ all of their cronies as as soon as the get into office, police officers cooperate with drug dealers, and anyone who dares object is either blackmailed into silence or “mysteriously” disappears.

International Anti-Corruption Day calls out the need for better checks and balances and accountability, promoting trustworthy actions in governments, businesses and all organizations around the world.

How to Observe Anti-Corruption Day

Organize Anti-Corruption Day Activities

Some of the ways in which governments around the world, private businesses, non-governmental organizations, the media and the general public can get involved are by organizing creative activities, reporting incidents of corruption, using the UN’s anti-corruption logo on publications and at events, and spreading the message through social networks such as Twitter and Facebook.

Raise Awareness About Corruption

Just sharing something on Facebook or Twitter may not seem like like much of anything, but as the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge proved so well, social media can indeed play an enormous role in bettering the world. Those who want to help those affected by corruption more actively could make a donation to a charity that helps take care of those in need in especially corrupted countries.

Get Educated About Corruption

One of the best ways to reduce corruption is to get more educated and knowledgeable so that you can use your voice to stand against corruption. In honor of this day, get access to many different resources that can help non-profits, government agencies, religious organizations, charitable workers and those in civil society be more aware of the best practices.

Check out resources from places like Open Government Partnership, the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime, the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Center, and the US Agency for International Development.

History of International Anti-Corruption Day

International Anti-corruption Day was launched in 2003 by the General Assembly of the United Nations as a way of raising awareness of corruption and highlighting the role of the United Nations Convention against Corruption in combating and preventing it.

The reason given by the UN for creating this day is that it was “concerned about the seriousness of problems and threats posed by corruption to the stability and security of societies, undermining the institutions and values of democracy, ethical values and justice and jeopardizing sustainable development and the rule of law”.

Since the day was first held, its organizers, the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, say intolerance towards corruption has grown. This is evidenced by the increasing number of politicians and chief executives who are being tried and convicted for the crime.

The US government has been involved with this day over the years with many action steps, including honoring different champions of the Anti-Corruption movement, functioning as key players in the efforts toward better national security.