Hello, I will be your guide through this interactive anti-corruption program.
But before we go into detail with the cases and interactive exercises,
I would first like to introduce you to the United Nations Global Compact,
its 10th principle, which deals with corruption in the private sector,
and the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
The UN Global Compact is a strategic policy initiative for businesses that are committed to aligning their operations and strategies
with 10 universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.
Currently, the Global Compact encompasses more than 8000 businesses and stakeholders from over 135 countries.
First and foremost, the Global Compact is a voluntary initiative.
You may then wonder what voluntary initiatives can contribute to the fight against corruption,
since corruption is already subject to criminal law in many countries.
The UN Global Compact asks all companies to obey all laws, but compliance is only one side of the coin.
Voluntary initiatives have their own place and purpose.
By promoting responsible and good practice over and above legal requirements,
voluntary initiatives offer a space for experimentation, learning and constructive dialogue.
In many ways, voluntary initiatives help companies to better understand their risks and their opportunities in fighting corruption.
The Global Compacts 10th principle states that:
It commits business participants not only to avoid bribery, extortion and other forms of corruption,
but to develop policies and concrete programmes to address this challenge.
Through the Global Compact, companies are challenged to join forces with governments, UN agencies and civil society
to foster a more transparent and accountable global economy.
The UN Global Compact recommends that businesses consider the following three elements when fighting corruption and implementing the 10th principle:
As a first and basic step, introduce anti- corruption policies and programmes within their organizsations and business operations.
Report on the work against corruption in an annual communication on progress and share experiences and best practices through examples and case histories.
Join forces with industry peers and other stakeholders to undertake collective efforts in the fight against corruption.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is the guardian of the 2003 United Nations Convention against Corruption,
the first global, legally binding anti- corruption instrument.
It is the legal text upon which the UN Global Compact's 10th principle rests.
The Convention provides a blueprint for countries to fight corruption via legislation, criminalization and other preventive measures.
While there are other international legal instruments against corruption as well as wide variances in national anti- corruption laws,
this training deals only with the UN Convention against Corruption, the Global Compact and its 10th principle against corruption.