More than 5% of global GDP is lost to corruption every year and now over 50 former heads of state and government, over 30 Nobel laureates, nearly 350 notable individuals (including former high court judges, cabinet ministers, NGO leaders, business leaders, etc.) and almost 100 civil society organisations are calling for the creation of an International Anti-Corruption Court to promote transparency and accountability.But what is (grand) corruption and how does it materialise in our day-to-day life? Who is affected by corruption? And how would “another” international organisation contribute to stopping corruption and promote transparency and accountability?
Corruption and its consequences may feel far away from the average citizen, unless you know how corruption may affect your day-to-day circumstances. Ultimately, corruption can lead to poorer public services, like healthcare and education, and makes everything more expensive by increasing the cost of goods and services. It can also harm the economy by discouraging investment and job creation. When institutions, like the police or courts, are corrupt, it becomes harder to get justice, and trust in democracy is weakened. This can make people feel powerless and less involved in political processes. By extension, corruption can also come to threaten public safety and national security.
By understanding which factors enable how, when, and in what shapes or forms corruption materialises, we believe that anti-corruption can become a collective movement whereby we as engaged citizens can push for fairer systems and better governance.We will hear from seasoned professionals working on national and international corruption capable of explaining why collective efforts, supported by local stories and experiences, has the power to effect real change.