Fighting against corruption is a collective effort and involves various strategies. Here are some ways to combat corruption:
- Understanding Corruption: Corruption is not only about bribes. People, especially the poor, get hurt when resources are wasted. It’s important to understand the different kinds of corruption to develop smart responses1.
- Empowering Citizens: Create pathways that give citizens relevant tools to engage and participate in their governments. This can help identify priorities, problems, and find solutions12.
- Reforming Public Administration and Finance Management: Improving financial management and strengthening the role of auditing agencies can have a greater impact on curbing corruption than public sector reforms2.
- Promoting Transparency and Access to Information: Countries successful at curbing corruption have a long tradition of government openness, freedom of the press, transparency, and access to information2.
- Ending Impunity: Effective law enforcement is essential to ensure the corrupt are punished and break the cycle of impunity2.
- Closing International Loopholes: Without access to the international financial system, corrupt public officials throughout the world would not be able to launder and hide the proceeds of looted state assets2.
- Leveraging Technology: Use the power of technology to build dynamic and continuous exchanges between key stakeholders: government, citizens, business, civil society groups, media, academia etc1.
- Building Capacity: Countries that suffer from chronic fragility, conflict, and violence are often the ones that have the fewest internal resources to combat corruption. Identify ways to leverage international resources to support and sustain good governance1.
- Learning by Doing: Any good strategy must be continually monitored and evaluated to make sure it can be easily adapted as situations on the ground change1.
- Reporting Corruption: Individual citizens may contribute to the fight against corruption by reporting on corruption to the authority or through the media3.
Remember, every small step counts in the fight against corruption. It’s a long-term process that requires persistence and patience.
