Friday 9 December 2016

Global Integrity 23

International Anti-Corruption Day
Moral Wholeness for a Whole World
Logo for International Anti-Corruption Day 2016
Now in its 14th year

Integrity is moral wholeness—living consistently in moral wholeness. Its opposite is corruption, the distortion, perversion, and deterioration of moral goodness, resulting in the exploitation of people. Global integrity is moral wholeness at all levels in our world—from the individual to the institutional to the international. Global integrity is requisite for “building the future we want—being the people we need.” It is not easy, it is not always black and white, and it can be risky. These entries explore the many facets of integrity with a view towards the global efforts to promote sustainable development and wellbeing.
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Today, 9 December, is the UN—and the world community’s—International Anti-Corruption Day. It is a good day (and impetus) to reflect on how each of us can prevent and fight corruption as well as how each of us can cultivate integrity in our spheres of influence, starting with ourselves. The theme this year is “Unite Against Corruption” and it is a tangible expression of Sustainble Development Goal 16 (SDG 16) with its cross-cutting emphases on strong institutions, good governance, peaceful societies, and anti-corruption.

Just as important for the realization of SDG 16 and any effort to confront corruption is the commitment to “Unite for Integrity.” So perhaps it is time for a UN Global Integrity Day. More information about International Anti-Corruption Day is on the official UN site: http://www.anticorruptionday.org/

"Corruption is an issue that affects all countries around the world. It can refer to the destruction of one’s honesty or loyalty through undermining moral integrity or acting in a way that shows a lack of integrity or honesty. It also refers to those who use a position of power or trust for dishonest gain. Corruption undermines democracy, creates unstable governments, and sets countries back economically. Corruption comes in various forms such as bribery, law-breaking without dealing with the consequences in a fair manner, unfairly amending election processes and results, and covering mistakes or silencing whistleblowers (those who expose corruption in hope that justice would be served)."

"By resolution 58/4 of October 31, 2003, the UN General Assembly designated December 9 as International Anti-Corruption Day. This decision aimed to raise people’s awareness of corruption and of the role of the United Nations Convention against Corruption in combating and preventing it. The assembly urged all states and competent regional economic integration organizations to sign and ratify the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) to ensure its rapid entry into force. UNCAC is the first legally binding, international anti-corruption instrument that provides a chance to mount a global response to corruption." Source: http://www.timeanddate.com

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