Anti-corruption day around the world

This week’s launch of the Corruption Perceptions Index 2012 has shown us that governments need to do much more to be accountable to their citizens. And citizens can ask their governments to do so. This Sunday, 9 December, our movement and activists from around the world will celebrate International Anti-Corruption Day and show that together, corruption can be defeated.

Below is a snapshot of some of the most fun and exciting activities organised by our global network of chapters. How are you going to celebrate this important day? Let us know on our Facebook page on Sunday.

Americas

Our chapter in the Dominican Republic, Participación Ciudadana, is celebrating the day with a rally at a major square in Santo Domingo. Related to the launch of the Time to Wake Up campaign earlier this year, participants will shout slogans such as "wake up!" and "corruption stifles democracy and social rights". There will also be a stage with speakers and musical performances.

Acción Ciudadana, our chapter in Guatemala, is dedicating a whole week to our cause. Highlights include a free-of-charge film festival and a 10 kilometre road race in Antigua with donations going to earthquake victims in San Marcos.

Meanwhile, our colleagues in Trinidad and Tobago are collaborating with the United Nations Development Programme to host an event accompanied by theatrical performances in one of the busiest shopping malls in the country.

Asia and Pacific

Anti-Corruption Day takes a visual form at Transparency International Bangladesh, where entries for the best anti-corruption cartoon will be showcased in the chapter’s 7^th Anti-Corruption Cartoon Exhibition at Dhaka University. The chapter is also planning to form human chains all over the country to illustrate unity against corruption.

In Malaysia, people will be walking against corruption for Anti-Corruption Day this year. Activists will be provided free caps, water and snacks for the 2.2 km walk around Perdana Lake Gardens in Kuala Lumpur.

Activists in Pakistan are in for some fun if they go to our chapter’s Water Splash event on Saturday. The idea comes from a similar event that took place in Hungary this summer.

Europe and Central Asia

Transparency International Hungary is holding an Anti-Corruption Festival (ÁTLÁCCÓ FESZTIVÁL) on Friday with a focus on Information and Communication Technologies and youth. The festival will close with a live concert and will be attended by Bence Rétvári, the Minister of State for Public Administration and Justice.

In Ukraine, people have the chance to sing against corruption, where our chapter organises a national karaoke contest called “Goodbye corruption!” Citizens are encouraged to create a karaoke song and sing it.

In Porto, Portugal a concert in cooperation with the local Metropolitan Orchestra will mark the official launch of the Time to Wake Up campaign.

Middle East and North Africa

The Lebanese Transparency Association has big plans for this year’s Anti-Corruption Day: they would like their government to ratify the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). They plan to pressure parliamentarians in a rally of young anti-corruption activists at Beirut’s UNESCO Palace with the message "Corruption… Your NO counts”. The President of Lebanon, the media and several NGOs will attend the event.

In Morocco, activists are expressing themselves artistically to say no to corruption. Street theatre, videos, live music and hip hop performances will all be part of the activities of the chapter’s artistic youth initiative, Paroles Urgentes, on Saturday.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Cameroon’s Week Against Corruption is focusing on primary schools in Yaounde. In an advocacy campaign, school children will put stickers against corruption on taxis all over the city.

Our chapter in Mozambique is commemorating Anti-Corruption Day with the launch of a research report analysing contributing factors to, manifestations of and trends in corruption since the country’s independence.

Finally, Zimbabweans are calling for citizens to march from the Parliament Building to the Harare gardens in an event called “Against Corruption Today”.

Getting involved

Whether it is countries ratifying the UN Convention against Corruption, journalists exposing money laundering, parents acting as role models for integrity or students rallying for change, we can all do our part to halt corruption. Join us on this International Anti-Corruption Day to show that together, corruption can be defeated.

• To see some of the Anti-Corruption Day activities close to you, download this document.
• See below some pictures of last year’s Anti-Corruption Day celebrations around the world.