On December 9, the entire international community and the public in all countries of the world celebrate the International Anti-Corruption Day.
🔍 What is corruption? This is not only a distortion of justice, but also a real brake on development. It harms the economy, undermines citizens' trust in the authorities, and undermines the foundations of the legal system.
Experts of the Foundation for Institutional Development answered several questions about corruption and the International Anti-Corruption Day.
1. What does the International Anti-Corruption Day symbolize for you?
"For me, this day symbolizes that it is completely impossible to overcome corruption. But the international community is taking all the necessary steps to minimize corruption, help states develop anti-corruption strategies and policies, study both positive and negative experiences in this area and draw the right conclusions for the future", said Foundation head Oksana Bronevytska.
"This day unites people with high values and qualities, people who strive to change something in this world", says Anna Fedorenko, project manager of the Foundation.
"Since I spent a lot of time in the field of anti-corruption, for me every day is a day of fighting corruption, but on this day we remember where it all started, how the states showed their political will and expressed their intention to fight corruption. And for several years in a row, on this day, I conduct anti-corruption lessons at school — I talk to children about corruption and integrity", says Foundation expert Olena Karpova.
2. How did your journey as an anti-corruption expert begin?
Experts shared stories of their career growth:
"The successful cases of bringing top corrupt officials to justice, the desire of many people to take even small steps in this area, the improvement of anti-corruption legislation, and the personal example of honest representatives of the government became the catalyst", Oksana Bronevytska.
"Actually, by chance, I graduated from university and came to work in the judiciary. And just in 2014, the Law of Ukraine "On Prevention of Corruption" was updated and there was a need for an anti-corruption commissioner, and I became him", Anna Fedorenko.
Olena Karpova said the following: "8 years ago, I was offered to work in a newly created body (NACP) in a strong team of like-minded people. To be honest, it was scary, but it was also an incredible feeling to participate in the development of the body and to form the institute of whistleblowers almost from scratch.
3. Why is the fight against corruption important to you personally?
"Corruption is a disease that destroys the whole organism. It leads to general impoverishment, mistrust, dissatisfaction, and a decrease in the quality of life. Therefore, like any disease, it should be treated and preventive measures should be taken in order to reduce it to a minimum"? Oksana Bronevytska answers the question.
Anna Fedorenko supported Oksana's opinion: "Corruption spoils and destroys everything in its path".
"The fight against corruption is important to me, because I see its terrible consequences and I don't want to repeat it, because they catch corrupt people, and for some reason I feel ashamed, especially when European partners ask, because I know the stories of whistleblowers, their struggle, and it should not be in vain, we have to keep fighting!", Olena Karpova.
For people who care about corruption and have a desire to fight against its manifestations, but don't know where to start, the experts of the Foundation provided several important tips:
1. Ask yourself the question: am I ready to tolerate manifestations of corruption, will I fight such facts even at my level, will I report or remain silent when I witness corruption?
2. Start with yourself and your family — do not tolerate corruption and teach it to your children.
3. It is important to believe in what you are doing to overcome corruption.
4. Don't give up and be ready for resistance.
5. Participate in anti-corruption trainings and events — they provide anti-corruption tools, good practices and useful contacts for support and networking.
6. To be active — to detect corruption, to expose corruption that occurs at work and in everyday life.
Therefore, today we must be united and together say a resolute "NO" to corruption, support justice, transparency and spread the culture of integrity. Also remember - the fight against corruption starts with you 💪
