2008/in focus/news room

In Focus editions in 2008

Third High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Accra: Transparent aid = Effective aid
Third High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Accra Fulfilling the development promise Representatives from around 100 donor and recipient countries, multilateral aid and development agencies, and civil society organisations will converge on Accra, Ghana, from 2 to 4 September for the Third High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness.
Foul play – Corruption in sports
Sport is an integral part of our world and its aversion to corruption must be brought to the fore of the international debate. Everyone should join efforts to communicate that corruption in sports is unacceptable. Key stakeholders in this process include sport organisations, the media, sponsors, governments, civil society and, more importantly, sport fans.
UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) review mechanism
UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) embodies a comprehensive approach to corruption, recognising the importance of both preventive and punitive measures. TI’s set of proposals about the review mechanism provides practical input for making the convention become a reality.
Humanitarian Assistance
In Focus on the new research report on Preventing Corruption in Humanitarian Assistance. Humanitarian assistance is a lifeline that brings food, shelter and other basic services to millions of people caught in the worst of circumstances through war, famine or natural disaster. However, it often takes place in challenging environments which may include endemic corruption. In 2008, TI with several leading providers of relief and reconstruction assistance analysed the corruption risks faced by humanitarian agencies and the measures they use to address those risks. The findings of this research are revealed in Preventing Corruption in Humanitarian Assistance report.
the G8 Summit in Japan: Time for accountability
In Focus on the 2008 G8 meeting in Japan. The Group of Eight (G8) summit brings leaders of the world's industrialised nations together to discuss how to address global political, social and economic challenges. TI chapters from G8 countries have assessed commitments and progress made, and call for stronger engagement in alleviating poverty, addressing climate change, accelerating economic development, and increasing financial transparency. Fighting corruption is critical to achieving these goals.
Global Corruption Report 2008: Water and corruption: a destructive partnership
This year, the GCR turns its attention to corruption in the water sector. The GCR 2008 is the first publication of its kind to examine the link between corruption and the water sector in a comprehensive manner. It documents a wide range of corruption risks in different areas of the sector, from water resources management and water for sanitation to irrigation and hydropower.
4th OECD Progress Report
Transparency International (TI) Progress Report tracks the enforcement status of OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions (also known as OECD Anti-Bribery Convention) in signatory countries. This year saw the 4th report, documenting the advances and stalemates in convention implementation.
advocacy and legal advice provided by TI chapter-run ALAC centres.
Transparency International’s Advocacy and Legal Advice Centres (ALACs) are walk- or call-in corruption complaint offices. They provide free and confidential legal assistance to those who might be a witness or a victim of corruption, supplying information and tools necessary to pursue corruption-related complaints.
2008 Report on Revenue Transparency of Oil and Gas Companies
High revenues from the oil and gas industries have often fuelled corruption. One step towards reversing this curse lies in the transparent and accountable management of revenues generated from the extractive industries. Transparency International has issued a report that shows how transparent oil and gas companies are.
2008 World Bank and International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings
In their Spring Meetings, the world's biggest international financial institutions - the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund - discuss progress in poverty alleviation and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. With this In Focus, TI takes a closer look at the relation between poverty and corruption and the World Bank Anti-Corruption Strategy.
International Women´s Day
In Focus on International Women´s Day Besides violence and sexual discrimination that many women face in their societies, gender disparity in education is one of the biggest problems. Although only half of the world's population is female, women make up 64 percent of the world's illiterate, according to the World Bank. Because of their lack of education, women stay in low-pay, low status jobs and therefore have fewer resources than men to invest in social security.
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and bribery
In Focus on corruption in the private sector. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and bribery Reports about corruption scandals involving private sector companies are in the news almost every day. They involve large corporations in international markets, companies that we all know. There were times when bid-rigging and large-scale bribery were seen and accepted as ways to win contracts and to successfully explore new markets. This notion is slowly changing – corruption is not tolerated anymore; public expectations of company ethics and accountability have risen. Being involved in corruption scandals today can bring serious harm to a company's reputation and credibility.
UNCAC Conference of States Parties (CoSP) / Civil Society Coalition
Between 28 January and 1 February 2008, the focus of the world’s attention will once again be on Bali, Indonesia. This time, government representatives from around the world will gather for the Second Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
TI’s Integrity Awards 2007: honouring the heroes in the fight against corruption
This In Focus introduces Transparency International's Integrity Awards and the winners of the year 2007: Le Hien Duc, a grassroots anti-corruption activist from Vietnam, and Mark Pieth, Head of the OECD Working Group on Bribery and International Law expert.