[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":308},["ShallowReactive",2],{"news-celebrating-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-at-the-basel-institute-2398":3,"news-celebrating-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-at-the-basel-institute-2398-similar":79,"i-heroicons:arrow-left-20-solid":303},[4],{"id":5,"status":6,"date_created":7,"date_updated":8,"title":9,"type":10,"body":11,"date":12,"topic":13,"slug":15,"activity":16,"nid":18,"topics":19,"activities":20,"programme":21,"area":21,"websites":22,"language":21,"image":24,"translation_of":21,"countries":35,"tags":36,"authors":37,"images":76,"translations":77,"content":78},10345,"published","2023-03-08T11:01:25.000Z","2025-08-31T23:14:40.000Z","Celebrating diversity, equity and inclusion at the Basel Institute","Blog","On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the conversations that issues of gender equality have triggered over recent years – conversations about the kind of world we want to live in and the values of the organisations we want to work for.\n\nThese conversations go far beyond narrow statistics of women vs men. They encompass equity in pay and parental leave; creating a culture where all staff feel welcome; and taking advantage of the different backgrounds and points of view that diversity brings.\n\nDiversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) has been part of the Basel Institute’s way of working since its establishment 20 years ago – long before the term became a widely known acronym. This has naturally led, for example, to a near-equal gender balance in our global team (55 percent women at the end of 2022) and 28 separate primary nationalities among our 114 staff.\n\nYet as our collective understanding and expectations evolve, so too must our policies and procedures.\n\n### Putting commitments into practice\n\nThe Basel Institute’s Managing Director Gretta Fenner has recently formalised our Institute’s high-level commitments to gender equality and wider diversity, equity and inclusion.\n\nOur aim is to be more intentional in understanding and implementing measures. This includes gathering and publicly reporting data that will allow us to be more transparent and accountable to this commitment.\n\nIn this way, we hope to create even greater employee buy-in and loyalty, as well as better meet the expectations of our donors and stakeholders.\n\nOther steps we have recently taken include:\n\n*   Being successfully evaluated by the Swiss Federal Administration in relation to [gender pay equality](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ebg.admin.ch\u002Febg\u002Fen\u002Fhome\u002Fservices\u002Flogib-triage.html).\n*   Complementing principles around safeguarding in our [Code of Ethics](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2022-10\u002F2022%20Code%20of%20Ethics.pdf). The update reinforces safeguarding from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH)_._ It also reinforces our conduct expectation of our partners in regard to safeguarding, fairness, diversity and respect, including SEAH, in the context of the delivery of programmes of the Institute. \n*   Committing to the [Women’s Empowerment Principles](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.weps.org\u002F) of the UN Global Compact and UN Women.\n*   Joining the UN Global Compact’s [Target Gender Equality](https:\u002F\u002Funglobalcompact.org\u002Ftake-action\u002Ftarget-gender-equality) initiative and drawing up an action plan with practical and measurable short- and medium-term steps.\n\nThrough the [International Gender Champions Network](https:\u002F\u002Fgenderchampions.com\u002F), Gretta Fenner and our President Peter Maurer also serve as ambassadors for gender equality. In the same way, the Basel Institute seeks to be an ambassador for diversity, equity and inclusion in our sphere of influence.\n\n### Next steps\n\nAs we grow, we will seek to maintain our staff balance of approximately 50–50 women and men – and of course continue to ensure pay equality and cultivate a positive environment for people from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. Improved tracking of selected data on employee lifecycles will help us be more proactive with regard to gender, diversity and inclusion issues in the workplace.\n\nBy the end of 2025, we also aim to reach gender balance in both our Management Group and our Foundation Board.\n\nWe will roll out updated training for all staff on our Code of Ethics and safeguarding principles, and develop an accessible complaints mechanism.\n\nBeyond our staff, we are also developing a framework to mainstream gender considerations into the work of our International Centre for Asset Recovery.\n\nWatch this space, and feel free to [contact us](mailto:info@baselgovernance.org) meanwhile for more information on our commitments and steps to achieve them.","2023-03-08",[14],"","celebrating-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-at-the-basel-institute-2398",[17],"Insights",2398,[],[17],null,[23],"Main page",{"id":25,"storage":26,"filename_disk":27,"filename_download":28,"title":9,"type":29,"created_on":30,"modified_on":30,"charset":21,"filesize":31,"width":32,"height":33,"duration":21,"embed":21,"description":21,"location":21,"tags":21,"metadata":34,"focal_point_x":21,"focal_point_y":21,"tus_id":21,"tus_data":21,"uploaded_on":30},"6e76b217-4713-49bf-af1e-e194fdac031b","local","6e76b217-4713-49bf-af1e-e194fdac031b.webp","tmp.webp","image\u002Fwebp","2025-05-12T21:15:37.000Z",139350,1400,868,{},[],[],[38,59],{"id":39,"news_id":40,"authors_id":55},1146,{"id":5,"status":6,"user_created":41,"date_created":7,"user_updated":42,"date_updated":8,"title":9,"type":10,"body":11,"image":25,"date":12,"topic":43,"slug":15,"activity":44,"nid":18,"topics":45,"activities":46,"programme":21,"area":21,"websites":47,"translation_of":21,"language":21,"countries":48,"tags":49,"authors":50,"images":52,"translations":53,"content":54},"03bebfd8-0b40-4a2a-820d-b9d9c13b9de6","b0662e2a-864d-4888-a1b7-4342b7570b30",[14],[17],[],[17],[23],[],[],[39,51],1147,[],[],[],{"id":56,"name":57,"position":21,"image":58},298,"Vanessa Hans","42603e5f-944c-4fa7-8b85-a430cb6c2da8",{"id":51,"news_id":60,"authors_id":72},{"id":5,"status":6,"user_created":41,"date_created":7,"user_updated":42,"date_updated":8,"title":9,"type":10,"body":11,"image":25,"date":12,"topic":61,"slug":15,"activity":62,"nid":18,"topics":63,"activities":64,"programme":21,"area":21,"websites":65,"translation_of":21,"language":21,"countries":66,"tags":67,"authors":68,"images":69,"translations":70,"content":71},[14],[17],[],[17],[23],[],[],[39,51],[],[],[],{"id":73,"name":74,"position":21,"image":75},516,"Amanda Procter","a934b487-5888-4346-8027-71a4666962cf",[],[],[],[80,105,130,159,184,207,233,257,281],{"id":81,"body":82,"status":6,"type":10,"date":83,"slug":84,"title":85,"image":86,"countries":87,"topic":88,"activity":91,"tags":93,"nid":94,"topics":95,"activities":96,"authors":97,"images":99,"websites":100,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":101,"translation_of":21,"user_created":41,"date_created":102,"user_updated":42,"date_updated":8,"content":103,"link":104},10428,"Business integrity was among the priority topics at the 10th session of the Conference of the States Parties (CoSP) to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in December 2023. For the first time ever, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) together with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) hosted a Private Sector Forum in the margins of CoSP10.\n\nServing as a partner of the Forum, the Basel Institute welcomes the UN’s efforts to bring businesses to the table on anti-corruption and business integrity. A [new CoSP10 Resolution](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Fdocuments\u002Ftreaties\u002FUNCAC\u002FCOSP\u002Fsession10\u002Fresolutions\u002FL-documents\u002F2325251E_L.17_Rev.1.pdf) dedicated to the private sector opens opportunities for [Collective Action initiatives](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002F), whereby businesses, civil society and governments can jointly engage to implement the international commitments at the national level.\n\n### UN engages with businesses on anti-corruption\n\nIn the two decades since the adoption of the [UNCAC](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Funodc\u002Fen\u002Fcorruption\u002Funcac.html), significant transformations have taken place both for businesses and the environments in which they operate. A growing number of countries have implemented legislation focusing on corporate compliance and the criminalisation of unethical business practices.\n\nGone are the days of tax-deductible bribes. Today, the expectations on businesses from regulators, investors, customers, employees and other stakeholders are higher than ever.\n\nThe private sector has an important role to play in the fight against corruption, contributing significantly to the establishment of transparent, accountable and ethical business environments. As major drivers of economic growth and innovation, private enterprises possess considerable influence and resources that can be harnessed to promote integrity and catalyse positive change.\n\nMeaningful engagement of diverse stakeholders, including from the business community, in multilateral fora like the CoSP, the UN’s major anti-corruption conference, increases transparency and accountability. It can also contribute to more effective policies that reflect the diversity of contexts and challenges faced by businesses worldwide.\n\n### Private sector ready to join new platform for collaboration\n\nThe first ever [Private Sector Forum](https:\u002F\u002Fbusinessintegrity.unodc.org\u002Fbip\u002Fen\u002Fevents\u002Fprivate-sector-forum.html) at CoSP10 established a new platform for collaboration on business integrity – and the business community was ready to engage.\n\nThe Forum discussed how governments can create enabling frameworks for business integrity through a combination of carrots and sticks, i.e., measures that incentivise compliance while ensuring that misconduct is sanctioned.\n\nDiscussions also drew on insights from an updated [Resource Guide on State Measures for Business Integrity](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd.org\u002Fgov\u002Fethics\u002FDRAFT%20FOR%20CONSULTATION_Resource%20Guide%20on%20State%20Measures%20for%20Strengthening%20Business%20Integrity.pdf) that UNODC, UNGC and the Organisation for Economic and Co-operation and Development (OECD) released prior to the event.\n\nA session moderated by Gretta Fenner, Managing Director of the Basel Institute on Governance, showcased how Collective Action initiatives can drive impact to foster more ethical and transparent business environments. Other discussions revolved around joining forces to standardise best practices on anti-corruption in the supply chain, and the role of investors in reinforcing business integrity through Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) frameworks.\n\nThe Forum showed that there is great appetite from businesses to participate in shaping the global business integrity agenda. In a [call-to-action](https:\u002F\u002Funglobalcompact.org\u002Ftake-action\u002Faction\u002Fanti-corruption-call-to-action), put forward before the 20th anniversary of the UNCAC and presented to delegates at the CoSP, more than 500 companies from around the world urged governments to intensify anti-corruption efforts worldwide and foster Collective Action in the fight against corruption.\n\n### New CoSP Resolution focuses on private-sector incentives\n\nIt seems that government delegates heard the private sector’s appeal: they agreed on a [new Resolution dedicated to the private sector](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Fdocuments\u002Ftreaties\u002FUNCAC\u002FCOSP\u002Fsession10\u002Fresolutions\u002FL-documents\u002F2325251E_L.17_Rev.1.pdf), tabled by Brazil, Norway and Saudi Arabia.\n\nThe Resolution acknowledges the importance of governments fostering a conducive environment for the private sector to adopt and implement effective integrity measures to prevent and combat corruption.\n\nIt calls upon governments to “develop effective frameworks to provide incentives for the private sector to adopt integrity measures, including codes of conduct” and to “implement robust internal governance and risk management systems for preventing acts of corruption”.\n\nCoSP Resolutions are not binding. However, they set standards for the implementation of the UNCAC and States parties are expected to take action to implement them. In brief, this Resolution covers:\n\n*   Tangible benefits: Governments should consider providing tangible benefits to companies. These might include public recognition and taking a company’s anti-corruption efforts into account in decisions relating to participation in public programmes, such as those related to subsidies, licences, procurement contracts and export credits.\n\n*   Incentives for enforcement: Governments should consider the effectiveness of a company’s compliance programme when holding them liable for corruption. Additionally, the Resolution invites States parties to explore the possibility of providing incentives for companies to voluntarily disclose instances of corruption and cooperate effectively with national law enforcement authorities. Furthermore, it suggests that when employing alternative legal mechanisms, such as settlements or non-trial resolutions, governments should consider offering appropriate incentives for companies entering such procedures to commit to developing or strengthening their anti-corruption compliance programmes.\n\n*   Evaluating compliance programmes: Governments should consider adopting laws, regulations and public policies to adequately evaluate compliance programmes. That includes developing and making publicly available guidelines, methodologies and other evaluation tools.\n\n### What’s new, what’s missing and next steps\n\nThe idea of incentives is not new to the CoSP. Already in 2019, [Resolution 8\u002F6](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Funodc\u002Fen\u002Fcorruption\u002FCOSP\u002Fsession8-resolutions.html) encouraged States parties to consider providing appropriate incentives for the effective implementation of anti-corruption ethics and compliance programmes or measures. However, this time around, the Resolution gives more concrete examples of what these incentives could look like.\n\nAlso on the plus side, the Resolution enables information exchange by calling for concrete efforts to provide technical assistance and exchange best practices among States. It also directs the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on the Prevention of Corruption, a subsidiary body of the CoSP, to discuss incentives for the private sector in its future meeting. This literally puts business integrity on the agenda for the coming years.\n\nIt is encouraging that the focus is not solely on law enforcement but that the Resolution embraces a proactive approach to engaging with the private sector for the prevention of corruption. In this regard, the Resolution can create a space for private sector-driven Collective Action initiatives as well as civil society working with the private sector to engage with governments in their countries on how to best incentivise business integrity on a national level.\n\nHowever, it is a missed opportunity that the idea of incentivising companies’ engagement in Collective Action is not explicitly mentioned. Business engagement in Collective Action can help to level the playing field between competitors and be a game changer for raising integrity standards in industries and markets.\n\nThis September, UNGC will be celebrating 20 years of the [10th principle of the UN Global Compact](https:\u002F\u002Funglobalcompact.org\u002Fwhat-is-gc\u002Fmission\u002Fprinciples\u002Fprinciple-10) committing companies to proactively develop policies and programmes to address corruption internally and within their supply chains. Hopefully, this upcoming anniversary will help to keep up the momentum for business integrity and Collective Action and ensure that governments involve the private sector when putting the recommendations of the Resolution into action.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   The Report on the CoSP10 and Private Sector Forum will be made available on the [CoSP website](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Funodc\u002Fen\u002Fcorruption\u002FCOSP\u002Fsession10.html).\n*   See our guidance documents on [Engaging the private sector in Collective Action against corruption: A practical guide for National Anti-Corruption Agencies](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fpublications\u002F2199\u002F) and [Engaging the private sector in Collective Action against corruption: A practical guide for anti-corruption agencies in Africa](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fpublications\u002F2280\u002F)\n*   View [photos from the Private Sector Forum](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.flickr.com\u002Fphotos\u002Fungc\u002Falbums\u002F72177720313411288\u002F) by the UN Global Compact.","2024-03-06","sticks-and-carrots-new-un-resolution-calls-on-governments-to-provide-incentives-for-companies-to-implement-anti-corruption-measures-2594","Sticks and carrots: New UN Resolution calls on governments to provide incentives for companies to implement anti-corruption measures","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F92a45106-0661-411c-933b-23c699fbda33?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[89,90],"Collective Action","Private Sector",[92,17],"Events",[],2594,[89,90],[92,17],[98],1116,[],[23,89],[],"2024-03-06T17:01:30.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fsticks-and-carrots-new-un-resolution-calls-on-governments-to-provide-incentives-for-companies-to-implement-anti-corruption-measures-2594",{"id":106,"body":107,"status":6,"type":10,"date":108,"slug":109,"title":110,"image":111,"countries":112,"topic":113,"activity":114,"tags":116,"nid":117,"topics":118,"activities":119,"authors":120,"images":122,"websites":21,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":123,"translations":124,"translation_of":21,"user_created":41,"date_created":125,"user_updated":126,"date_updated":127,"content":128,"link":129},10565,"In these times of geopolitical instability and changing government priorities, business integrity risks being sidelined – just when it’s needed most.\n\nStrong compliance programmes and ethical business environments are essential for navigating volatility, maintaining trust and ensuring resilience. And [anti-corruption Collective Action](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fpublications\u002F2397) has proven to be an effective, efficient way to both strengthen compliance and contribute to fair market conditions. It does this by bringing together the private sector with other stakeholders from government and civil society in a sustained, trust-based collaboration.\n\nAgainst this backdrop, the Basel Institute on Governance brought together over 30 practitioners from around the world for the 2025 Collective Action Peer Learning Workshop. Across three virtual sessions from 2 to 4 June, they reflected on the past, present and future of this tried-and-tested approach.\n\nParticipants included representatives of organisations funded by the Siemens Integrity Initiative or part of the Basel Institute’s [Collective Action Mentoring Programme](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fmentoring-programme). All are part of a growing global “community of practice” advancing integrity through Collective Action.\n\nThe takeaways below show the depth and diversity of experience of the members and how much they can contribute to raising standards of integrity and fair business around the world.\n\n### The power of data for consensus and buy-in\n\nThe first session took stock of lessons learned over the past decade. Martin Benderson and Ignacio Kantor of the [Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN)](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Finitiatives\u002F1413\u002F) demonstrated how data, when collected consistently and used strategically, can empower stakeholders and drive reform. MACN’s anonymous incident reporting system and Global Port Integrity Platform now cover more than 1,300 ports, revealing patterns of corruption that help members, governments and local actors take targeted action. Martin highlighted:\n\n> Data gives authority and can be instrumental in convincing governments and other stakeholders to recognise the challenge and take action.\n\nParticipants agreed: data doesn’t need to be perfect. What’s essential is building simple, sustainable collection methods. Stakeholders should also be involved in interpreting results to ensure the data “reflects lived realities and not just metrics”.\n\nOther takeaways included the importance of trust, the value of strong alliances and the patience required to build them. One participant shared:\n\n> Building trust among diverse stakeholders is the most crucial lesson I’ve learned, as it forms the foundation for any successful Collective Action initiative.\n\nAnother added:\n\n> “The building of a collective consensus takes time, but it’s rewarding”.\n\nParticipants agreed that it is crucial to focus on realistic, well-designed goals and learn from peers when challenges arise:\n\n> Don’t reinvent the wheel. Seek similar projects, challenges or industries and learn from them.\n\n### What we can learn from corrupt networks\n\nIn the second session, the Basel Institute’s Dr Claudia Baez Camargo explained how research on corrupt networks (see, for example, this [Quick Guide](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fquick-guide-23-informal-networks-and-anti-corruption), [Policy Brief](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fpolicy-brief-9-informal-networks-and-what-they-mean-anti-corruption-practice) or [Case Studies in East Africa](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fresearch-case-2)) can be applied to make Collective Action initiatives more effective.\n\nCorrupt networks of businesspeople and elites are often formed to solve a challenge or pursue a collective goal. These range from easing access to public services to obtaining business opportunities or helping a business to run smoothly.\n\nCollective Action initiatives could focus on solving some of those goals, for example by finding transparent ways to increase business opportunities for all, or collectively working with government to design smarter regulations.\n\nThere are also important lessons to be learned about the different roles people in Collective Action initiatives can play, and about how to best manage and maintain the initiatives.\n\n### What’s in it for us? Making the case for integrity\n\nThe third session explored how to maintain momentum and relevance of Collective Action initiatives.\n\nPinn Siraprapasiri of the [Thai Collective Action Against Corruption (Thai CAC)](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Finitiatives\u002F1388\u002F) presented an inspiring example of how business incentives, such as tax incentives, better credit terms or preferred vendor status, can reinforce ethical conduct. In Thailand, the anti-corruption certification offered by Thai CAC is now a requirement for companies bidding for government procurement projects above a certain threshold.\n\nBreakout groups tackled delicate questions:\n\n*   Can business incentives work when anti-corruption enforcement is weak or inconsistent?\n*   How can we keep Collective Action alive in fragmented political environments?\n\nThe discussions revealed both challenges and hope. One participant summarised:\n\n> Incentives can go a long way when they align with business interests, but to really move things forward, we need both carrots and sticks.\n\nThe community agreed that access to peer support, shared learning and tangible benefits remain key to keeping companies engaged in Collective Action initiatives in the long term.\n\n### A growing community, ready to act\n\nParticipants agreed on the urgent need to make Collective Action initiatives sustainable and resilient in these uncertain times. One emphasised the value of the Basel Institute’s proactive role in convening practitioners, saying:\n\n> Workshops like this are vital to keep the Collective Action community alive, and help us adapt to fast-changing topics like Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards and artificial intelligence.\n\nAnother reflected:\n\n> Over the years, we’ve built real relationships that go beyond projects or mandates. That’s what makes this community so valuable – it lasts.\n\nThe workshop closed with a celebration of the [winners of the 2025 Collective Action Awards](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fnews\u002Fannouncing-the-winners-of-the-2025-anti-corruption-collective-action-awards-2815).\n\nIn today’s unpredictable environment, business integrity is a collective responsibility. Companies that have strong compliance programmes and reach out to other stakeholders are better equipped to withstand shocks, navigate complexity and thrive in the long term.\n\nAt the Basel Institute, we are committed to supporting companies, organisations and governments in working individually and collectively towards better business integrity and fairer market conditions. If you’d like to learn more and get involved, check out our [B20 Collective Action Hub](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002F) and join the [LinkedIn group](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fgroups\u002F9885232\u002F) of our emerging community of practice, designed to serve as an open space for ongoing peer exchange.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   [Good practices for facilitators of anti-corruption Collective Action](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fpublications\u002F2332)\n*   [Policy Brief on how Collective Action initiatives can benefit from studying informal corrupt networks](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fnew-policy-brief-how-collective-action-initiatives-can-benefit-studying-informal-corrupt)\n*   [Collective Action ideas, insights and inspiration](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fevents\u002Fcollective-action-ideas-insights-and-inspiration) – takeaways from previous peer learning workshop","2025-06-19","stronger-together-the-collective-action-community-as-a-beacon-for-business-integrity-2821","Stronger together: the Collective Action community as a beacon for business integrity","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F66899e1b-7f55-456f-95bd-13869b6894f0?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[89,90],[17,115],"Partnerships",[],2821,[89,90],[17,115],[121],1347,[],"English",[],"2025-07-13T11:42:48.000Z","dfef11db-1bc6-47e9-a61d-93443995484b","2026-05-08T21:11:15.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fstronger-together-the-collective-action-community-as-a-beacon-for-business-integrity-2821",{"id":131,"body":132,"status":6,"type":133,"date":134,"slug":135,"title":136,"image":137,"countries":138,"topic":139,"activity":142,"tags":145,"nid":146,"topics":147,"activities":149,"authors":150,"images":151,"websites":152,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":153,"translation_of":21,"user_created":41,"date_created":154,"user_updated":155,"date_updated":156,"content":157,"link":158},9619,"Claudia Baez Camargo, the Basel Institute's Head of Public Governance, will showcase the results of her and her team's research under the UK's [East Africa Research Fund](https:\u002F\u002Feastafricaresearchfund.org\u002F) (EARF) at an end-of-programme event on 16-17 March 2021.\n\nThe research project, entitled “Corruption attitudes, social norms and behaviours in East Africa”, looked at how behavioural factors influence attitudes towards petty corruption in Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.\n\n### Research highlights\n\nIn (very!) brief, the research illuminates:\n\n*   How social networks function as problem-solving resources for citizens.\n*   The importance of understanding how solidarity, reciprocity and a sense of moral obligation towards the group can impact a person's propensity to engage in petty corruption.\n*   The effect of common mental models, such as \"everybody is doing it\".\n\nInterestingly for anti-corruption policymakers, donors and programme managers, the research also revealed evidence of how incorporating behavioural insights into anti-corruption interventions can promote positive outcomes.\n\n### Innovation in anti-corruption\n\nThis EARF-funded project was one of the first research projects to deliver concrete evidence on behavioural drivers of corruption. The research findings have informed new research and practical approaches, and fuelled increasing interest in social norm approaches to anti-corruption programming.\n\nThe research has also helped to explain why many conventional anti-corruption approaches have limited effectiveness.\n\nClaudia is at the forefront of those calling for the anti-corruption community to shift the unit of analysis from individuals to social networks. This shift in perspective will boost much-needed innovation in anti-corruption research and practice.\n\n### Research team and final event\n\nClaudia thanks her colleagues in Basel involved in the project, Dr Saba Kassa and Cosimo Stahl, and her field-based research teams:\n\n*   Rwanda: Prof Tharcisse Gatwa and Dr Abel Dufitumukiza\n*   Tanzania: Dr Richard Sambaiga and Dr Egidius Kamanyi\n*   Uganda: Prof Paul Bukuluki and Robert Lugolobi\n\nClaudia will be speaking from 11:00–12:30 East Africa Time (EAT) on 16 March in the first session of the programme. See the [event agenda](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2021-03\u002FEARF%20agenda.pdf). Pre-registration is not needed.\n\n### Further reading\n\n*   Browse [recent publications of the Basel Institute’s Public Governance team,](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications?topic=5&type=All&country=All&language=All&title=&external=1) including those published under the EARF project.\n*   Learn more about the [Public Governance division](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublic-governance) and our research, training and technical assistance services.","News","2021-03-05","celebrating-success-corruption-attitudes-social-norms-and-behaviours-in-east-africa-1979","Celebrating success: Corruption attitudes, social norms and behaviours in East Africa","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F0536c2e5-bbbe-40ce-b478-fd1e11be1b28?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[140,141],"Prevention"," Research and Innovation",[92,143,144],"Research","Presentations",[],1979,[148],"Prevention Research and Innovation",[92,143,144],[],[],[23],[],"2022-05-26T22:53:22.000Z","3d9ff205-1640-4f34-b5b6-86977f51bbd6","2026-05-07T21:29:42.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fcelebrating-success-corruption-attitudes-social-norms-and-behaviours-in-east-africa-1979",{"id":160,"body":161,"status":6,"type":133,"date":162,"slug":163,"title":164,"image":165,"countries":166,"topic":168,"activity":170,"tags":171,"nid":172,"topics":173,"activities":175,"authors":176,"images":177,"websites":178,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":179,"translation_of":21,"user_created":41,"date_created":180,"user_updated":155,"date_updated":181,"content":182,"link":183},9631,"Our partners and team of asset recovery specialists in Mozambique are celebrating the entry into force of a new law on asset recovery. It significantly extends Mozambique’s capability to recover illicit assets arising from corruption and other criminal activity.\n\nThe team of experts from our International Centre for Asset Recovery ([ICAR](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fasset-recovery)) supported the Mozambique Office of the Attorney General in its contributions to the proposed asset recovery law. The team will continue their support following the law’s enactment, as part of a long-term assistance programme funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).\n\n### New possibilities for recovering illicit assets\n\nThe law, entitled _Regime Jurídico Especial de Perda Alargada de Bens e Recuperação de Activos_, has now been published in the official gazette. It introduces:\n\n*   New provisions for traditional confiscation of assets as well as extended confiscation (_perda alargada)._ The clear and straightforward wording of the law will help prosecutors and judges to understand the important distinction between these types of confiscation.\n*   Provision for a basic form of non-conviction based confiscation of assets as part of criminal proceedings.\n*   A special regime for gathering evidence that empowers prosecutors to order the breaking of banking and tax secrecy rules to obtain evidence.\n*   The creation of an Asset Recovery Office within the Attorney General’s Office. This formalises the work of the Multidisciplinary Team that our ICAR team has been working hard to develop over the last two years. These multidisciplinary teams or offices help to build sustainable specialist capacity and to facilitate inter-agency and international cooperation.\n*   The creation of an Asset Management Office within the department responsible for managing state property.\n\n### Milestones and the journey ahead\n\nThese are huge milestones in Mozambique’s efforts to recover the proceeds of corruption and other crimes.\n\nWe congratulate Mozambique on this step and highlight the strong support provided by the Attorney General Beatriz Buchili, who last year emphasised the need for approval of the Asset Recovery Bill in her [annual address to parliament](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fmilestone-mozambiques-journey-more-effective-recovery-stolen-assets).\n\nWe look forward to continuing to support our partners as they face the challenge of implementing and maximising the potential of the new law.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   Learn more about the difference between traditional and extended confiscation of assets in [Carla Monteiro’s quick guide to financial investigations and asset recovery](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fcarla-monteiros-quick-guide-financial-investigations-and-asset-recovery).\n*   See local media articles about the new law in Portuguese: DW: [Moçambique: Lei de recuperação de ativos aprovada com consenso de todos os partidos](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.dw.com\u002Fpt-002\u002Fmo%C3%A7ambique-lei-de-recupera%C3%A7%C3%A3o-de-ativos-aprovada-com-consenso-de-todos-os-partidos\u002Fa-55500917) and Carta de Moçambique: [Já temos Lei de Recuperação de Activos](https:\u002F\u002Fcartamz.com\u002Findex.php\u002Fpolitica\u002Fitem\u002F6484-ja-temos-lei-de-recuperacao-de-activos).\n*   See a [timeline](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2020-05\u002FMozambique%20tech%20assistance%20timeline.jpg) of our team’s assistance to the Mozambique Attorney General’s Office, as published in our 2019 Annual Report.","2021-01-20","mozambique-asset-recovery-bill-becomes-law-heralding-new-era-in-the-fight-against-corruption-1960","Mozambique: Asset Recovery Bill becomes law, heralding new era in the fight against corruption","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fa97ee25f-7716-4b60-b0c4-79da5355f9fc?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[167],7357,[169],"Asset Recovery",[115],[],1960,[174],"Asset Recovery and Enforcement",[115],[],[],[23],[],"2022-05-26T22:53:32.000Z","2026-05-29T22:21:47.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fmozambique-asset-recovery-bill-becomes-law-heralding-new-era-in-the-fight-against-corruption-1960",{"id":185,"body":186,"status":6,"type":133,"date":187,"slug":188,"title":189,"image":190,"countries":191,"topic":193,"activity":194,"tags":195,"nid":196,"topics":197,"activities":198,"authors":199,"images":200,"websites":201,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":202,"translation_of":21,"user_created":41,"date_created":203,"user_updated":155,"date_updated":204,"content":205,"link":206},9524,"We are delighted to have signed a case consultancy agreement with the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).\n\nThe agreement enables our International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR) and FICAC to cooperate to strengthen the agency’s capacity to identify and recover assets obtained through corruption.\n\nFICAC is Fiji's mandated law enforcement agency to investigate and prosecute corruption, as well as educate society on understanding and reporting corruption. The agency is celebrating its 15th year.\n\nOur ICAR team will in particular provide advice on the effective implementation of Fiji’s illicit enrichment legislation. This draws on our publication last year of an open-access book [Illicit Enrichment: A Guide to Laws Targeting Unexplained Wealth](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fillicit-enrichment-guide-laws-targeting-unexplained-wealth), which brings together cutting-edge debates and jurisprudence on illicit enrichment laws around the world.\n\n### Maximising Fiji’s potential to recover assets and fight corruption\n\nThe virtual signing ceremony was attended by FICAC’s Deputy Commissioner Rashmi Aslam and Chief Investigator Frank Tora, and by the Basel Institute’s Managing Director Gretta Fenner and Senior Asset Recovery Specialist Andrew Dornbierer.\n\nGretta Fenner commented:\n\n> The Basel Institute is very much looking forward to working with FICAC to strengthen their capacity to trace and recover assets stolen through corruption, in particular where they have been hidden abroad. Fiji is considered an economic hub of the Pacific region, and we believe there is great potential in this new collaboration to strengthen the regional and global fight against corruption.\n\nRashmi Aslam said:\n\n> In Fiji, right now we are at a juncture where we are investigating more multi-jurisdictional cases with higher financial values involved. We have realised that we need support and assistance from stakeholders such as the Basel Institute and its International Centre for Asset Recovery.\n\nMr. Aslam stated that the Commission looks forward to maximising this newly created partnership with Basel Institute not only for its reactive functions but also for its proactive functions in areas such as policy matters.\n\n> “It is an important juncture, not only for FICAC but for Fiji as well because we are one of the key stakeholders in the criminal justice system in Fiji,\" said Mr. Aslam.\n\nThrough the partnership, the Commission aims to improve its delivery to the criminal justice system and obtain better results.","2022-03-03","supporting-fijis-efforts-to-fight-corruption-and-recover-illicit-assets-2194","Supporting Fiji’s efforts to fight corruption and recover illicit assets","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F3c991106-b86a-4a1d-aed6-80f38acf4313?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[192],7267,[169],[115],[],2194,[174],[115],[],[],[23],[],"2022-05-26T22:51:58.000Z","2026-05-29T22:21:39.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fsupporting-fijis-efforts-to-fight-corruption-and-recover-illicit-assets-2194",{"id":208,"body":209,"status":6,"type":10,"date":210,"slug":211,"title":212,"image":213,"countries":214,"topic":216,"activity":217,"tags":218,"nid":219,"topics":220,"activities":222,"authors":223,"images":226,"websites":227,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":228,"translation_of":21,"user_created":41,"date_created":229,"user_updated":155,"date_updated":230,"content":231,"link":232},10441,"Paris is known as the city of love. But once a year, during the [OECD Global Anti-Corruption Forum (GACIF)](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd-events.org\u002Fgacif2024), it also becomes the beating heart of integrity – at least for the anti-corruption community.\n\nUnder the theme “Designing our future with integrity”, this year’s Forum brought together anti-corruption experts from business, government and civil society from around the world to explore trends in the fight for integrity and against corruption.\n\nAmid the global upheavals of the past year, how did this year’s Forum differ from previous editions? And how is the private sector adapting to these evolutions? A few takeaways from our Private Sector team are below.\n\n### 1 – Celebrating the OECD Convention’s relevance for business\n\n2024 marked the 25th anniversary of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, which recognises Collective Action as a best practice through its complementary [2021 Recommendation](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd.org\u002Fdaf\u002Fanti-bribery\u002F2021-oecd-anti-bribery-recommendation.htm).\n\nIn the presence of the French and Ukrainian Ministers of Justice, the Convention’s anniversary provided impetus to reflect on its many notable successes, as well as the challenges ahead. [Discussions](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd-events.org\u002Fgacif2024\u002Fonlinesession\u002Ff5b9e920-3f94-ee11-8923-6045bd9869bb) recalled the unprecedented importance and relevance of the Convention in ensuring equitable and sustainable global trade.\n\n### 2 – Major evolutions in integrity and compliance\n\nThis GACIF also saw the [launch of the OECD Anti-Corruption and Integrity Outlook](https:\u002F\u002Foecd-events.org\u002Fgacif2024\u002Fsession\u002F0035cced-3d94-ee11-8923-6045bd9869bb), which assesses the effectiveness of Member States’ integrity efforts, and highlights key developments and trends in anti-corruption. These include the emerging risks in the energy transition, the increasing use of technology in corruption schemes and the growing threats of foreign interference.\n\nSpeakers discussed the evolving functions of compliance officers and the need to strengthen their role. A key message was the need for compliance roles to evolve from operational to strategic positions within companies.\n\n### 3 – Participation in shaping business integrity\n\nMultiple global crises are impacting the way business is done internationally, reinforcing the role companies play in global anti-corruption efforts. As a result, this year’s GACIF saw a strong private-sector presence, both in terms of attendance and topics discussed.\n\nWe already saw this trend at the last major anti-corruption event in December 2023 – the 10th session of the Conference of the States Parties (CoSP) to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) – where the private sector showed a strong appetite to participate in [shaping the global business integrity agenda](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fnews\u002Fsticks-and-carrots-new-un-resolution-calls-on-governments-to-provide-incentives-for-companies-to-implement-anti-corruption-measures-2594\u002F).\n\n### 4 – Collective Action is crucial for integrity and fair competition\n\nThe increased business presence at this year’s GACIF meant that Collective Action was at the centre of many discussions. It was consistently presented as a crucial tool to raise standards of business integrity and level the playing field. [The Basel Institute’s session](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd-events.org\u002Fgacif2024\u002Fsession\u002Fce6d8090-f0d6-ee11-85fa-000d3a2d90a9\u002Faddressing-governance-and-corruption-risks-in-infrastructure-development-through-collective-action-presented-by-basel-governance-) (as a GACIF Knowledge Partner) on enhancing transparency in the critical infrastructure sector highlighted that:\n\n● Collective Action allows for tailored solutions for each industry. This is demonstrated by the World Economic Forum's [Partnering Against Corruption Initiative](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.weforum.org\u002Fcommunities\u002Fpartnering-against-corruption-initiative\u002F) (PACI), whose approach acknowledges that corruption-related challenges differ across industries.\n\n● [Integrity Pacts](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fintegrity-pacts) can provide strong incentives for business integrity and create a learning platform for smaller actors in the infrastructure sector to improve their compliance capacity.\n\n● Initiatives such as [CoST – the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative](https:\u002F\u002Finfrastructuretransparency.org\u002Fabout-us\u002F) are driving long-term policy reform and providing evidence for better decision making, leading to higher-quality infrastructure.\n\n### 5 – Leaders call for harmonised standards\n\nPublic-private cooperation was a focus of the OECD’s [Anti-Corruption Leaders Hub](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd.org\u002Fcorruption-integrity\u002Fgetinvolved\u002Fprivate-sector\u002Fanti-corruptionleadershub\u002F) annual meeting at the forum. This multi-stakeholder community of chief compliance officers and integrity leaders from government and civil society facilitates dialogue on pressing challenges and opportunities.\n\nIn one of her last public events before her tragic [passing](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fgretta-fenner-1975-2024-message-president) on 6 April 2024, Gretta Fenner, the Basel Institute’s Managing Director, moderated a roundtable discussion on bridging the implementation gap between international anti-corruption standards and national policies.\n\nPrivate-sector participants shared how they are responding to the practical challenges of operating globally under misaligned standards, and called on governments to harmonise expectations of businesses.\n\n### 6 – Opportunities for peer learning and dialogue\n\nIn a session on innovative peer learning programmes, Vanessa Hans, Head of the Basel Institute’s Private Sector team, highlighted the importance of creating safe spaces for open communication and constructive criticism when dealing with sensitive topics such as corruption.\n\nThere are many opportunities for anti-corruption and compliance professionals to exchange with each other in a neutral, mutually supportive way. These include dedicated Collective Action initiatives that focus on peer learning and jointly raising standards, such as the [Wolfsberg Group](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Finitiatives\u002F1385), [Metals Technology Initiative](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Finitiatives\u002F1484) or many of the other initiatives included in our [global database](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Finitiatives). \n\nAn interesting current programme for compliance officers initiated by the OECD and Basel Institute on Governance is [Compliance without Borders](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd.org\u002Fcorruption-integrity\u002Fgetinvolved\u002Fprivate-sector\u002Fcompliance-without-borders\u002F). The programme matches compliance professionals from private companies and state-owned enterprises to exchange experiences, build expertise and discover new anti-corruption systems, techniques and solutions.\n\n### What’s next? Business integrity is touring Europe\n\nAfter Paris, lovers of business integrity are heading east, to Vilnius, Lithuania, before ending their tour in Basel, Switzerland.\n\nTransparency International’s flagship International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) will come to Vilnius from 18 to 21 June 2024 with a dedicated track on “[Building a Global Ethical Economy: Advancing Business Integrity and Its Leaders](https:\u002F\u002Fiaccseries.org\u002Fiacc-2024\u002Flithuania-theme\u002Fbuilding-a-global-ethical-economy-advancing-business-integrity-and-its-leaders\u002F)”.\n\nA week later, the Basel Institute will convene the global Collective Action community for its [5th International Collective Action Conference](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fevents\u002Ficac-2024). The in-person event will showcase Collective Action as a holistic approach to fighting and preventing corruption, and highlight the Basel Institute’s role in building a global community of practice for Collective Action. The draft agenda is available [here](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fevents\u002Ficac-2024\u002Fagenda). Our annual Anti-Corruption Collective Action Awards will also be presented at the conference – keep an eye out for the public vote [here](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fawards).","2024-05-13","paris-vilnius-basel-business-integrity-goes-on-tour-2625","Paris, Vilnius, Basel: Business integrity goes on tour","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F4d11a6c6-86fc-4c80-b9bd-66616db5beea?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[215],7127,[89,90],[92,17],[],2625,[89,90,221],"Business Integrity Ethics and Compliance",[92,17],[224,225],1114,1115,[],[23,89],[],"2024-05-13T16:01:28.000Z","2026-05-29T22:22:29.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fparis-vilnius-basel-business-integrity-goes-on-tour-2625",{"id":234,"body":235,"status":6,"type":10,"date":236,"slug":237,"title":238,"image":239,"countries":240,"topic":242,"activity":243,"tags":244,"nid":245,"topics":246,"activities":247,"authors":248,"images":250,"websites":251,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":252,"translation_of":21,"user_created":41,"date_created":253,"user_updated":155,"date_updated":254,"content":255,"link":256},9591,"At a high-profile speech at the [Ukraine 30 Forum](https:\u002F\u002Fukraine30.com\u002Fen\u002F) last week, the Basel Institute's Managing Director Gretta Fenner emphasised that it is critical that Ukraine swiftly and professionally concludes the asset recovery processes started after the Revolution of Dignity. She also urged the country to fully empower its anti-corruption institutions and reduce the hurdles that have been put in their ways. High levels of corruption continue to drain the country's resources and threaten its democracy.\n\nInitiated by President Volodymyr Zelensky in February 2021, the Ukraine 30 Forum is a platform for discussion between the public and private sectors, civil society and other experts in the run-up to Ukraine's 30th anniversary of independence on 24 August 2021. Since February, the forum has tackled a range of critical topics including coronavirus, the justice system, education, digitalisation and national security.\n\nGretta spoke immediately after President Zelensky and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on 15 June, on the second day of the Forum's special session on \"An economy without oligarchs\". Her full speech is below in English and can be viewed on YouTube [here in Ukrainian](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=jr1LfKWhNIY&t=76s) and [here in English](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=cFe7ydSCu24) (starting at minute 30:30).\n\n> Mr President\n> \n> Prime Minister\n> \n> Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen\n> \n> And most importantly: Dear friends from Ukraine\n> \n> It is a privilege to speak to you this morning and to be part of Forum 30 which leads up to the celebration of 30 years of independence of Ukraine in August.\n> \n> I am sorry I cannot be with you in Kyiv today, especially as I was in your beautiful capital just last week. But let’s come to the topic of today: Corruption and asset recovery. Talking of these topics in the context of celebrating your country’s independence is very pertinent, because independence and the fight against corruption are closely entwined.\n> \n> *   If a country is captured by vested interests and corrupt crime groups, then democracy is at stake, and I believe you would all agree that democracy has been the goal of Ukraine’s independence.\n> *   Second, it is crucial that anti-corruption institutions can act independently. If they are at risk of undue political or economic interference, they lose their ability to effectively combat corruption. \n> *   Third, when grand corruption is widely present, criminals steal large amounts of public assets. As a result the country lacks resources to invest in important public services and infrastructure. The country and its people are impoverished, and they become dependent on foreign aid.\n> \n> Reducing corruption and getting stolen assets back is important for Ukraine because the country urgently needs this money to build schools, hospitals, roads, and to invest in job creation.\n> \n> But it is important for another reason too: Asset recovery is considered a particularly powerful weapon against corruption. And when I say corruption here, I mean _grand_ corruption, the kind that siphons of millions and billions from your country.\n> \n> If law enforcement is successful in depriving criminals of their stolen assets, the crime of corruption is all of a sudden much less attractive. And while it is important to put corrupt people in prison when found guilty, it hurts them a lot more if you also take their money away.\n> \n> The efforts of Ukraine since 2014 to recover stolen assets are therefore very important from both a social and economic development perspective, and from a criminal justice perspective.\n> \n> My organisation, the Basel Institute on Governance, has had the privilege of supporting Ukraine in its efforts to recover stolen assets since 2014, when very shortly after the Revolution of Dignity, the Office of the Prosecutor General asked us to assist with finding and recovering the money that was stolen by former President Yanukovych and his allies. This cooperation was reinforced with the signing, last year at the occasion of the visit to Ukraine of then Swiss President Simonetta Sommaruga, of a [tripartite agreement](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Ftripartite-agreement-brings-fresh-potential-fight-against-corruption-ukraine) between Switzerland, the Office of the Prosecutor General and NABU, underscoring the cooperation of Switzerland, Ukraine and my organisation to recover stolen assets.\n> \n> Since 2014, Ukraine has recorded progress, but the progress has sometimes been slower than we would hope.\n> \n> The first very positive development immediately after the Revolution of Dignity was the international reaction. Switzerland, which by the way finances our work in Ukraine, the European Union and other important jurisdictions, have immediately frozen assets suspected of having been stolen by the regime of former President Yanukovych. The intention of this international action to freeze these assets was to give Ukraine time to investigate the underlying crimes, to prove that the money stems from corruption, and ultimately to confiscate it so that it can be returned to Ukraine.\n> \n> But these freeze orders are not open-ended. And foreign countries cannot return the money to Ukraine without the help of Ukraine. Through our work, we were able to help advance the cooperation between Ukraine and the countries where assets have been frozen. These countries have provided Ukraine with information about the bank accounts and with other evidence.\n> \n> But now the ball is largely in Ukraine’s camp. It’s the Ukrainian institutions that need to finish investigating and then prosecute the cases, and the Courts that need to confirm the criminal origin of these assets. Only then can the other countries release the funds and the money can be returned to Ukraine. And with that money, schools can be built, or roads, or hospitals.\n> \n> Time is of the essence now; we may have another two or three years until most freezes will expire. That means that Ukrainian institutions have to work at full speed, and have to be allowed to do so, so that we can see successful prosecutions and confiscations in Ukrainian Courts.\n> \n> For this, Ukraine does have the necessary institutions, and this is another positive development that has happened since the Revolution of Dignity. In addition to the OPG, these include, as you know well, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor, two institutions with which we work closely and who are very important for this country. There is also ARMA and the National Agency for Corruption Prevention, and the State Bureau for Investigations. In this context I am particularly pleased to confirm that we have just signed a cooperation agreement with SBI last week when I was in Kyiv. And of course, very important, the High Anti-Corruption Court.\n> \n> These institutions are all very important, but they have an incredibly difficult job. Investigating cases of grand corruption is extremely challenging; expertise in the field of asset recovery is very rare; and the criminals are using their still vast resources to pay for some of the most experienced defence attorneys to make the job of NABU, SBI or OPG ever more difficult.\n> \n> On top of that, it has been hard to watch how over the years, a whole range of home-grown obstacles was put in the way of these critical institutions and how they continue to suffer greatly from instability brought to them from the outside:\n> \n> In the seven years that we have been supporting Ukraine, we have worked with five Prosecutors General, some of which were more, some less reform oriented. This is a real problem for the stability of this key institution, and has at times definitely had a negative impact on its performance.\n> \n> Adding to this problem is the fact that key anti-corruption institutions have not had a chief for a prolonged period. The positions of Heads of SAPO, of ARMA and of SBI have been vacant for far too long, and the selection process for Head of SAPO is in serious trouble. This is not to suggest that the Acting Heads of these institutions are not doing a good job; they are doing a very good job in many cases. But it adds to the instability, and it puts into question the will of some to enable these institutions to be effective. \n> \n> And last but not least, as you know, there have been something like 18 attempts to remove the current Director of NABU from his position. And nobody will make me believe that this is because he is so bad at his job; rather, I would argue it is because he is a threat to those who have reason to fear him and NABU.\n> \n> In addition to that, we have had one backlash after the other when it comes to reforming Ukraine’s legislative framework.\n> \n> *   The decision by the Constitutional Court to rescind the asset declaration law is very problematic for example.\n> *   The law on illicit enrichment, which was passed in Parliament just recently, is a poor replacement for the previous law. It has serious weaknesses, as confirmed by the Venice Commission, and it will make it extremely hard for investigators and prosecutors in their efforts to stem out corruption.\n> *   And finally, ample evidence of serious corruption in the Ukrainian Court system may well be the final straw to Ukraine’s efforts to recover the billions of hryvnia that have been stolen, stolen from Ukraine, stolen from the people of Ukraine.\n> \n> So this is a make or break moment. If we are not successful in recovering these stolen assets, then people will lose patience, they will lose hope, and they will lose trust in this country’s institutions, again. Because it will seem to people that the corrupt continue to get away with their crime. And it can seem like an invitation to others to also steal.\n> \n> Corruption may seem only one of the many problems this country has to grapple with. But you should remember that corruption is at the heart of pretty much any other problem you are facing. Corruption fuels conflict and is known as a serious threat to national security; corruption fuels organised crime; corruption destroys the health system; corruption leads to poor education; corruption leads to poverty. It is no exaggeration when we say that in many ways, corruption kills.\n> \n> Mr President, Prime Minister, ladies and gentlemen. This is a critical time.\n> \n> The international community, and my institution included, continues to support you in your efforts to fight corruption and recover stolen assets. But we must see sincere effort in Ukraine; we must see that there is an end to the undermining of the independence of key institutions; we must see these institutions with strong leadership; we must urgently re-instil independence, impartiality and professionalism in the Court system; and we must pass legislation that is up to international standards and that can work, not legislation that undermines the anti-corruption drive.\n> \n> This is what we hope to see from the politicians in this country, and I sincerely hope that they will show that they have the best interests of the country – and of the Ukrainian people – at heart. I trust and know that you do, Mr President, Prime Minister.\n> \n> We are here to help, and together with our partners in NABU, at OPG and at SBI, with our partners in Switzerland and across the world, we will continue to stand by your country’s side to end impunity for corruption and hopefully return many of the stolen assets to Ukraine, so they can be used for the benefit of the people of Ukraine.\n> \n> I thank you.","2021-06-23","a-make-or-break-moment-gretta-fenner-urges-ukrainian-political-leaders-to-speed-up-asset-recovery-and-remove-obstacles-to-combating-corruption-2037","A make-or-break moment: Gretta Fenner urges Ukrainian political leaders to speed up asset recovery and remove obstacles to combating corruption","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Ff1b29718-67be-4a3a-bd71-56f23ad6e9ce?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[241],7337,[169],[92,144],[],2037,[174],[92,144],[249],1192,[],[23],[],"2022-05-26T22:52:57.000Z","2026-05-29T22:21:45.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fa-make-or-break-moment-gretta-fenner-urges-ukrainian-political-leaders-to-speed-up-asset-recovery-and-remove-obstacles-to-combating-corruption-2037",{"id":258,"body":259,"status":6,"type":10,"date":260,"slug":261,"title":262,"image":263,"countries":264,"topic":265,"activity":266,"tags":268,"nid":269,"topics":270,"activities":271,"authors":272,"images":274,"websites":275,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":276,"translation_of":21,"user_created":41,"date_created":277,"user_updated":155,"date_updated":278,"content":279,"link":280},10460,"Politics matters for the success of anti-corruption and asset recovery efforts. That is the starting point of our latest [Working Paper](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fwp-52), based on a two-year research project that combined the expertise and hands-on experience of our Prevention, Research and Innovation (PRI) team and our International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR).\n\nThe report discusses the political and governance factors that affect the performance of the justice system in relation to anti-corruption and asset recovery.\n\nIt also provides guidance on assessing these factors systematically – including through a novel Assessment and Monitoring Framework – with the goal of developing adaptive strategies to strengthen the justice chain in line with changing contexts.\n\nIt draws on the experience and insights of ICAR staff working with anti-corruption institutions across the globe. It fills an important gap by enabling the systematic assessment and monitoring of contextual factors that impact the effectiveness of justice systems in relation to anti-corruption and asset recovery. A few takeaways below:\n\n### Thinking politically\n\nThe evidence shows that there is a more conducive environment for strong performance of the justice system in relation to anti-corruption and asset recovery when there is:\n\n*   strong political independence of the justice chain;\n*   strong governance within and between the anti-corruption institutions that constitute the chain;\n*   strong accountability of the respective anti-corruption institutions.\n\nThere are 12 key political and governance factors in these three dimensions that shape the effectiveness of the justice chain. In this ecosystem, the justice chain sits at the centre, shaped top-down by governance factors related to political independence and bottom-up by governance factors related to accountability. You can click on the graphic below to expand it:\n\n[](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2024-07\u002FGraph.jpg)\n\nAssessing and regularly monitoring changes in these factors makes it possible to identify opportunities and entry points for strengthening approaches to anti-corruption and asset recovery. It also works to explain where and why barriers to change and risks may arise.\n\n### More complex than one might think\n\nApplying the framework demonstrates that what sounds straightforward at first glance – namely that an enabling environment will influence the justice chain’s performance positively – is actually much more complex.\n\nA seemingly conducive environment for improving the performance of anti-corruption institutions often comes with challenges and resistance:\n\n*   Opponents of reform fight back hard and often dirty.\n*   Solid anti-corruption and asset recovery results take time, which may fuel disappointment and discontent, hence civic expectations need  to be managed.\n*   And as the fight against corruption intensifies and anti-corruption institutions start making progress, things are often perceived as getting worse.\n\nThe flipside of this paradox is that even in an unfavourable context, when political and governance factors appear weak, opportunities to strengthen rule of law performance in relation to anti-corruption and asset recovery can still be found.\n\nThinking politically allows us to make sense of this puzzle and navigate complex political contexts better. It highlights the importance of understanding how complex political and governance contexts shape the success of anti-corruption and asset recovery reforms.\n\n### Working politically\n\nChanges in the political space for successful anti-corruption reform often follow a cyclical pattern, with windows of opportunity for deep reform opening and closing as the balance of power between pro- and anti-reform forces shifts.\n\nUnderstanding this cycle helps to identify how efforts to promote more robust performance of the justice chain can be better aligned, and made more responsive and proactive.\n\n_Working politically_ highlights opportunities to prepare for, promote and deepen windows of opportunity to influence anti-corruption reforms. It is also helpful for thinking strategically about adapting approaches to prevent and slow regression and using anti-corruption principles to prevent abuse.\n\nKey approaches for adapting in an agile manner to contexts where spaces for successful anti-corruption reforms will vary include:\n\n*   cultivating trust with partners and stakeholders;\n*   promoting the rule of law as a collective endeavour;\n*   fostering institutionalisation through policies, systems and partnerships;\n*   celebrating and communicating success; and\n*   leveraging international and domestic partnerships to strengthen efforts.\n\nThe lessons learnt from the frontline of practice emphasise that success in fighting corruption and recovering assets does not require having the perfect environment, institutions or people in place. Rather, adopting flexible engagement approaches tailored to specific contexts has proven effective.\n\n### A tool for thinking and working politically\n\nThe Assessment and Monitoring Framework at the heart of this paper is an evidence-based and practical tool that guides anti-corruption and asset recovery practitioners on how to tailor and localise their efforts in line with the political economy of each specific context.\n\nIt comprises the 12 identified factors and provides an indicator for each. Additionally, indicative topics help to assess these indicators.\n\n[](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2024-07\u002FAsessment%20Framework_2.jpg)\n\nThe framework allows for an in-depth analysis and facilitates the development of baseline and update assessments in support of adaptive programming decisions.\n\nApplying the Assessment and Monitoring Framework is helpful in a variety of ways – to:\n\n*   comprehend the wider political and governance situation;\n*   understand the implications of changes in the political context;\n*   monitor red flags that could indicate political instrumentalisation; and\n*   identify and design responses to opening or closing windows of opportunity.\n\nOverall, it supports interventions that adapt to shifts in the political environment to achieve results.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   Download Working Paper 52: [Navigating the political context: Practice insights and adaptive strategies to strengthen the anti-corruption and asset recovery justice chain](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fwp-52), by Dr. Saba Kassa","2024-07-24","new-working-paper-and-framework-for-navigating-the-political-context-of-anti-corruption-and-asset-recovery-2658","New Working Paper and framework for navigating the political context of anti-corruption and asset recovery","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fc93e95d8-7df3-48a5-aa6a-403723276d31?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[169,140,141],[143,267,17],"Reports",[],2658,[174,148],[143,267,17],[273],1107,[],[23],[],"2024-07-24T16:01:37.000Z","2026-05-29T22:22:30.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fnew-working-paper-and-framework-for-navigating-the-political-context-of-anti-corruption-and-asset-recovery-2658",{"id":282,"body":283,"status":6,"type":133,"date":284,"slug":285,"title":286,"image":287,"countries":288,"topic":289,"activity":290,"tags":291,"nid":292,"topics":293,"activities":294,"authors":295,"images":296,"websites":297,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":298,"translation_of":21,"user_created":41,"date_created":299,"user_updated":42,"date_updated":300,"content":301,"link":302},10191,"At the recent celebration of the 10th anniversary of the UN Global Compact's 10th principle on anti-corruption in New York, the Basel Institute and UNGC have formally launched their partnership to develop and maintain the B20 Collective Action Hub.\n\nTo mark this occasion, the two organisations jointly hosted a workshop on Collective Action, bringing together an impressive panel of experienced Collective Action practitioners from the private sector, business associations and NGOs. Participants agreed in particular on the need for a shared incentive and objective among participants in a Collective Action initiative.\n\nThey also discussed ways how MNEs can bring SMEs into the Collective Action space, including through targeted and joint actions focusing on supply chain groups.","2014-12-18","basel-institute-and-ungc-formally-launch-partnership-354","Basel Institute and UNGC formally launch partnership","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F968f7af5-74ff-4bb6-a56c-ef713b577de1?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[89,90],[115],[],354,[89,90],[115],[],[],[23,89],[],"2022-05-26T22:59:23.000Z","2025-08-31T23:14:59.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fbasel-institute-and-ungc-formally-launch-partnership-354",{"left":304,"top":304,"width":305,"height":305,"rotate":304,"vFlip":306,"hFlip":306,"body":307},0,20,false,"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M17 10a.75.75 0 0 1-.75.75H5.612l4.158 3.96a.75.75 0 1 1-1.04 1.08l-5.5-5.25a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.08l5.5-5.25a.75.75 0 1 1 1.04 1.08L5.612 9.25H16.25A.75.75 0 0 1 17 10\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\"\u002F>",1780676480734]