International Anti-Corruption Day is observed on December 9 every year to serve as a reminder for each individual within the corporate industry and beyond to actively speak out and fight against corruption in our lives and the lives of others. The United Nations officially declared International Anti-Corruption Day the day to enhance awareness towards the need to adopt an anti-corruption stance.
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION DAY
Corruption has occurred from timeworn periods with several of the most primitive recordings of anti-corruption manuscripts accredited to the Code of Hammurabi of Babylonia, the Great Edict of Horemheb in Egypt, and Arthashastra in India. Such manuscripts coherently addressed bribery systems between officials of the state and law thus birthing the perception of public interest and welfare to advance throttlehold in Western civilization in the 19th century, ultimately drawing supplementary courtesy to the intensifying corruption in proficient service productions such as bureaucracy. Corruption was grown to be recognised as levying a huge expense in society – a recognition that remains true even today.
Founded by Peter Eigen, a World Bank official who observed the undesirable impression of corruption in East Africa and decided to find ways of enlightening others, Transparency International remains to be one of the most well-known administrative bodies confronting corruption in countries across the globe. The secretariat was set up in Berlin in 1993 and has since expanded to accommodate the International Anti-Corruption Conference every two years to assemble civil society, bureaucrats, nonprofits, and political leaders going on special, cross-cutting disputes modelled by corruption. It held its first virtual conference in 2020 which is available to watch online.
Transparency International additionally established the Corruption Perception Index in 1995 to assess corruption throughout sectors and procedures in a variety of countries, positioning them comparatively. The index collects data from 180 countries and has promoted further corporations, like the World Bank, to also obtain corruption data through their Worldwide Governance Indicators.
WHY INTERNATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION DAY IS CRITICAL
- It prompts the conversation of corruption
Individuals will have confronted various forms of corruption in their everyday dealings with corporations and/or government, however, the possibility of having reduced the significance of it to “get things done” remains alarmingly high for a myriad of reasons ranging from personal qualms to a lack of understanding. International Anti-Corruption Day serves as a reminder that personnel don’t have to tolerate these ways and can speak out in opposition to them.
- THE call to action
The UN and other bodies have amassed resources to educate the public as well as the working bodies across several industries of the magnitude of corruption around the world while providing guidance on the steps to take to aid in eradicating corruption.
- A focal point in the significance of ethics
Education on the conduct of ethics is an amenity that is schooled to the public from the very young ages of our existence. Needless to say, the possibility of having neglected them in the daily grind and hustle is high. International Anti-Corruption Day is the time to reopen and even relearn those experiences to direct our own conduct.
Supporting International Anti-Corruption Day 2021
ABAC® Center of Excellence is a strong supporter of International Anti-Corruption Day and an advocate of preventing corruption on all levels. Last year, despite the pandemic, ABAC® continued educating businesses and professionals across the world about bribery and corruption risks by publishing multiple thought leadership pieces and guides on anti-bribery, anti-corruption, risk and compliance management as tools for global organisations in the fight against bribery and corruption. ABAC® also launched ISO 31000 Risk management e-training – through this course is for risk management in general, ISO 31000 implementation and training give businesses a broader view of all risks associated with their organisations and how to overcome them. ISO 31000 training is focused on improving your and/or your team’s skills in implementing ISO 31000 Risk Management which will help organisations see both the positive opportunities and negative consequences associated with all types of risk, and allow for more informed, and thus more effective, decision making, namely in the allocation of resources. Learn more about ISO 31000 training.
This year, we will be continuing with our efforts; Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC®) Center of Excellence Group is proud to announce in conjunction with our parent brand, CRI® group, will be hosting a free webinar on 9 December 2021. Our intention is to be able to provide resources on corporate compliance to organisations around the globe that will aid them in expansion and an ethical working environment. Take advantage of this free webinar on third-party due diligence and oversight.
Join us in this webinar, in conjunction with International Anti-Corruption Day 2021. Seats are limited to 50 participants. Register now to secure your place.
ABAC® are committed to fighting bribery and corruption
Corruption and bribery affect any organisation and have the potential to cause severe harm to businesses including financial loss, dire legal consequences, brand damage, organisation’s reputation & sustainable development to promote transparent business relations & foster a global ethical business culture with ISO 370001 training and accredited ISO 370001 certification. ABAC® offers a complete suite of services and solutions designed to help organisations against bribery and corruption even when operating in multi-jurisdiction and multi-cultural environments.
ISO 37001 training
An organisation’s individual personnel are its best protection against corruption. Statistics show that most corruption is detected internally. Give your personnel the tools they need to prevent bribery and mitigate related risks. Achieving ISO 37001 Awareness, Internal Auditor, Lead Auditor and/or Lead Implementer training is a proactive way of demonstrating your organisation’s commitment to ethical sustainability. Your employees will be able to recognise any form of corruption and report it. Learn more about the ISO 370001 ABMS training.
ISO 37001 certification
ABAC® program helps ensure that your organisation has implemented a management system that prevents, detects, and responds to bribery and complies with anti-bribery laws, internally and externally (i.e., agents, consultants, suppliers, distributors and other third-parties). ABAC® works with clients of all industries, sizes and organisation types to develop robust programs using the latest techniques and best practices that help foster an ethical business culture. ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Management System certifies that your organisation has implemented reasonable and proportionate measures to prevent bribery. These measures involve top-level leadership, training, bribery risk assessment, due diligence adequacy, financial and commercial controls, reporting, audit, and investigation.
Achieving ISO 37001 certification is the first step to ensure you have “adequate procedures” in place to prevent bribery and corruption inside and outside your organisation. Learn more about the ISO 370001 ABMS certification.
In recent years, third-party risk management has become a primary concern for organisations, amid increased outsourcing against a backdrop of rising costs, digitisation and low-interest rates, which have put downward pressure on margins. While there are many benefits driving outsourcing, e.g., increased efficiency and scale, it naturally also increases the level of risk and complexity of third-party relationships. Coupled with increased lengths of agreements, on average five to seven years, the need for ongoing performance management becomes that much greater.
ABAC®, the global leader in risk, compliance, and anti-bribery management systems joined forces with MICCI to discuss the third-party due diligence frameworks in-depth and explore its best practices – to help provide insights and ideas for your organisations’ compliance programme. Find out more on this event below and save your seat now!
Prove that your business is ethical
ABAC® published the free Highest Ethical Business Assessment (HEBA) to evaluate businesses’ current Corporate Compliance Programs. Find out if your organisation’s compliance program is in the line with worldwide Compliance, Business Ethics, Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Frameworks. Let ABAC® experts prepare a complimentary gap analysis – the HEBA survey is designed to evaluate your compliance with adequate procedures to prevent bribery and corruption across the organisation. This survey is monitored and evaluated by qualified ABAC® professionals with Business Ethics, Legal and Compliance backgrounds. The questions are open-ended to encourage a qualitative analysis of your Compliance Program and to facilitate the gap analysis process.
Extend your knowledge
Find below ABAC®’s case studies and webinar recordings helping you to know more about bribery and corruption risk. It does not wait and can happen anytime – we encourage you to think about anti-bribery and anti-corruption not only on International Anti-Corruption Day 2021 but all year round. Explore our other resources, or sign up for risk management, compliance, anti-bribery and anti-corruption related news, solutions, events and publications in your inbox. We will be happy to hear from you if you have any questions at all – contact us today or get a quote for any anti-bribery, anti-corruption, risk or compliance management solutions.
