The world celebrates each year the International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9. This day is celebrated to remind people of the importance of fighting corruption and promoting transparency in government. Corruption hurts sustainable economic development, the rule of law, and social and security stability. “Yet combating corruption remains a significant hurdle with a remarkable one in five people worldwide reported having to pay a bribe to access a public service. Worryingly, 124 countries have stagnant corruption levels.” [1] [2]. However, the extent of corruption damages varies among countries.
Looking back on what we asserted and celebrated in 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022, we believe they are still valid to assert on December 9, 2023. We at The American Anti-Corruption Institute (AACI) believe that fighting against corruption is an existential battle for nations, organizations, and communities of all sorts worldwide. Therefore, the fight against corruption must never be an option. It must be a way of life that forms our values and social norms.
However, the Ten Principles of Fighting Corruption promulgated by The American Anti-Corruption Institute (AACI) are a prerequisite for the effective fight against corruption. They set the benchmark for measurement and management. They also set the direction of the battle at all times. As a result, people and corruption fighters should celebrate this day as Accountability Day to hold all those concerned accountable for what they achieved in fighting corruption over the past year based on the Ten Principles of Fighting Corruption and their accompanying Standards on Fighting Corruption (SFCs).
Sources, Notes, and Remarks
[1] Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator, “International Anti-Corruption Day – 9 December 2023, ” Accessed on Decmber 9, 2023 https://www.undp.org/speeches/international-anti-corruption-day-9-december-2023
[2] Read more on “Global Progress Report on Sustainable Development Goal 16 Indicators: A Wake-Up Call for Action on Peace, Justice and Inclusion,” UNDP, Accessed on Decmber 9, 2023 https://www.undp.org/publications/global-progress-report-sustainable-development-goal-16-indicators-wake-call-action-peace-justice-and-inclusion
Photo by Fernando Gonzalez: https://www.pexels.com/photo/drone-shot-of-the-flatiron-building-in-new-york-4331280/
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