Global organisation seeks anti-corruption heroes

Transparency International opens nominations to recognise outstanding individuals and organisations fighting corruption

Transparency International (TI), the global anti-corruption organisation, is calling for nominations for the 2009 Integrity Awards. The Awards recognise unfaltering courage, exceptional leadership or innovation in fighting corruption, particularly under difficult circumstances.

Now in its eighth edition, the Integrity Awards have honoured individuals and organisations from Asia and Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. These have included journalists, public prosecutors, accountants, government officials and leaders of civil society who have gone against the current to become an example and source of inspiration in the fight against corruption in its many forms.

“Behind every serious effort to fight bribery and embezzlement stands a courageous magistrate or fearless journalist a selfless whistleblower, an honest business person, a true civil servant or a resourceful NGO. The Integrity Awards exist because such persons or organisations deserve recognition for their contribution to a corruption-free society”, said Sion Assidon, Chair of the Integrity Awards Committee, which evaluates nominations and chooses the winners.

Launched in 2000, the goal of the Integrity Awards is to offer greater recognition and support to those who unmask corruption and actively fight it, often at great personal risk. The winners are a source of inspiration because their actions echo a common message: that corruption is surmountable.

In 2008 TI honoured David Leigh, Investigations Editor at the Guardian (UK) and Roman Shleynov, Investigations Editor at Novaya Gazeta (Russia) for their research and exposure of corruption in defiance of bureaucratic obstacles and the risk of legal action against them, in order to penetrate secret webs. A video of the award ceremony is available here.

Nominations for the 2009 Integrity Awards will be accepted until 30 September, 2009. To download the nomination forms and guidelines please visit: www.transparency.org/integrityawards. Winners will be awarded a trophy and honoured at a ceremony that brings together the broad range of people and institutions that make up the anti-corruption movement.

The TI Integrity Awards Committee consists of ten individuals from across the world who have been active in the anti-corruption movement for many years. They serve as the jury for the awards and confer with the TI Board of Directors. Nominations are accepted for individuals and organisations.