NCJ Number
188297
Date Published
2001
Length
145 pages
Annotation
International organizations, governments, and the private sector have come to realize that corruption among government officials is a serious obstacle to effective government, economic growth, and national and international stability. The purpose of this anti-corruption tool kit is to help United Nations Member States and the public to understand the insidious nature of such corruption and the potential damaging effect it can have on the welfare of nations, as well as to suggest measures used successfully by various countries in uncovering and deterring corruption while building integrity among government officials.
Abstract
Among the types of public corruption identified in this kit are bribery; embezzlement; fraud; extortion; abuse of power; exploiting a conflict of interest; receiving an unlawful gratuity, favor, or illegal commission; favoritism; nepotism; and illegal contributions. This anti-corruption tool kit covers prevention, enforcement, institution-building, awareness-raising, anti-corruption legislation, and monitoring. This collection of theoretical and practical approaches to public corruption and their applications has been developed from anti-corruption research and technical assistance activities, including the Global Programme's comprehensive Country Assessment, undertaken by the United Nations and other organizations and nations worldwide. Among the principles promoted in this kit are the following: It takes integrity to fight corruption; building integrity and credibility takes time and consistency; it is important to involve the victims of corruption in any plan aimed at reduction; identifying and recovering stolen assets is not a sufficient strategy against corruption, without attacking its systemic nature; and governments must improve and enforce money-laundering legislation to reduce the opportunities for corruption.