International Anti-Corruption Day is discerned on 9th December, since the year 2003 and was considered to be practiced after the United Nations Convention against Corruption on 31st October of the following year.
What is Corruption?
Using power inappropriately for private gain is known as corruption. It can be political, petty, and grand depending upon the money taken or lost dues to it.
Grand Corruption includes crimes committed at a higher and larger level. It can also include distorting the policies and workings of government in any way. Petty corruption is the corruption that happens day to day or can also be called as everyday abuse of entrusted power.
Political corruption is a manipulation of policies, institutions, and rules of procedure in the allocation of resources and financing by political decision-makers, who abuse their position to sustain their power, status, and wealth. See animated definitions of many corruption terms in our Anti-corruption Glossary.
Brainchild of this Day
It is basically to put light on the issues that are related to the seriousness of problems and inconveniences that are caused due to corruption. The above-mentioned issues also contemplate the society towards meager development and more downfalls. It is directly adding to the flickering stability of the nation’s security and losing the importance of democracy. It also leads us toward jeopardizing sustainable development and the law.
Objectives of this Day
This day is to persuade and promote anti-corruption and strengthen measures to protect the same. The idea is to promote, regulate and facilitate and support international cooperation. Also, proper management promotes integrity of public affairs and public property.
Theme 2016: United Against Corruption for Development, Peace, and Security
According to the statistics, every year $1 trillion is used by the people in form of bribes while an estimated $2.6 trillion are stolen annually through corruption. This is a total of more than 5% of the global GDP.
In countries where development is the main motive, the amount lost in corruption could definitely help in development.
Corruption is considered a very serious crime that can give a very wrong impression about the work system to the individuals. Every country, region, or community is affected and is in grip of corruption.
This year UNODC and UNDP have developed a joint global campaign, focusing on how corruption affects education, health, justice, democracy, prosperity, and development.