Corruption in healthcare, education & infrastructure: who pays the price in developing countries?…

One of the biggest barriers to sustainable development is still corruption, which undermines confidence in institutions, damages economies, and especially affects the most vulnerable. Host Hisham Allam (https://www.developmentaid.org/news-stream/author/hisham-allam) talked with Dr. Jean-Pierre Méan (https://www.eigenmann-avocats.ch/en/avocats-juristes/jean-pierre-mean-en/) , a well-known anti-corruption specialist and former president of Transparency International (https://www.developmentaid.org/organizations/view/1852/transparency-international-germany-hq) Switzerland, in this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues (https://www.developmentaid.org/news-stream/author/devaid-dialogues) about the ongoing difficulties in the battle against corruption and the pressing need for systematic transformation.

Dr. Méan brings decades of expertise in anti-corruption law and corporate compliance systems. He played a key role in drafting the 2011 edition of the International Chamber of Commerce’s Rules on Combating Corruption and contributed to the development of the ISO 37001 Standard on Anti-Bribery Management Systems. As the head of the working group that established competency requirements for auditors of these systems, he continues to oversee the standard’s implementation. His extensive experience includes advisory roles with the United Nations (https://www.developmentaid.org/donors/view/118382/un) , the Council of Europe (https://www.developmentaid.org/donors/view/118384/coe) , the OECD (https://www.developmentaid.org/donors/view/118418/oecd) , and the Cour des Comptes of the Canton of Vaud (https://www.developmentaid.org/organizations/view/592078/canton-of-vaud) . In addition, he has authored numerous publications on international business, focusing on anti-corruption law and best practices.

Download the transcript (https://www.developmentaid.org/api/frontend/cms/file/2025/04/Podcast-6.pdf) of this episode.

Dr. Méan emphasized that although worldwide efforts have been made, corruption still flourishes because of political apathy and selective enforcement in systems where power and financial interests interact.
“Corruption is a natural danger in any such system.”“We have the laws; what we lack is the will to enforce them effectively. Too often, corruption cases are ignored or pursued selectively, undermining public trust in the system,” he explained.

Despite a proliferation of international agreements and compliance programs, Dr. Méan emphasized that these measures often amount to little more than symbolic gestures.
“We need a shift in mindset. Anti-corruption measures should not be seen as mere compliance requirements but as fundamental to ethical governance and sustainable development.”

Without genuine commitment from governments and the private sector, corruption remains deeply embedded in institutional structures.

See also: Corruption’s Two-Way Street: How UK Bribery and Illicit Flows Drive Global Corruption | DevelopmentAid Dialogues (https://www.developmentaid.org/news-stream/post/186250/developmentaid-dialogues-conversation-with-phil-mason-anti-corruption-policy-advisor)

He underlined that one of the most obvious shortcomings in the battle against corruption is the lack of protection for whistleblowers.
“Many people

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