Corruption. Many people aren’t sure what the word means, let alone what it has to do with them. Transparency International (TI) defines it as:

the abuse of entrusted power for private gain

Take, for example, a minister who awards a certain company a major government contract - not because they are the best, but because they paid the biggest bribe. This minister isn’t acting in the best interest of the voters who have entrusted him to make decisions on their behalf, he is acting for himself.

This is corruption.

Corruption affects all of us, whether we realise it or not. Some of the costs are massive, like keeping millions of people trapped in extreme poverty. Some are more subtle, like the slow erosion of people’s faith in their leaders.

Who suffers? The people. In particular the poor.

It’s time it stopped.

On International Anti-Corruption Day 2008 take a moment to think about what you can do to support the fight against corruption. Your ideas, your actions can make a difference. TI was founded by a group of people who saw a problem in their society and made a commitment to make the world a better place.

Take a stand. Stand up to the injustice of corruption: If you are confronted with corruption in your daily life, say no, if you can do so safely. Set an example to others.

Speak out. Report corruption where you suspect it: Many companies and organisations have whistleblower protection. If your employer doesn’t, lobby them to adopt it. In an increasing number of countries, TI chapters run hotlines and citizen complaint centres that help individuals pursue their cases where they have been victims of corruption.

Be informed.Subscribe to TI’s news services including Transparency Watch, In Focus sections and press releases.

Call leaders to account. Write to your government and urge them to make the fight against corruption a priority.

Invest ethically. If you have money to invest, make the decision to invest ethically. Initiatives such as FTSE4Good or the Dow Jones Sustainability Index can help to make ethical choices.

Get started now. You too can campaign for zero tolerance of corruption and better governance. And remember, reflection is also action. On Anti-Corruption Day take a moment to think again about corruption.

Your NO counts’ campaign

To raise awareness of International Anti-Corruption Day, the UN Convention against Corruption and the negative effects of corruption, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has launched a campaign called Your NO Counts. The website www.unodc.org/yournocounts offers campaign materials for download such as logos, banners and printed material.

“Every year across the developing world, billions of dollars that are badly needed for health care, schools, clean water and infrastructure are stolen or lost through bribes and other misdeeds. This makes it harder to provide basic services and achieve the Millennium Development Goals. It denies people their fundamental human rights,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a message on International Anti-Corruption Day. “On this International Day, let us all do our part to strengthen integrity, play by the rules, and turn the tide against this global menace."