[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":297},["ShallowReactive",2],{"news-happy-holidays-2737":3,"news-happy-holidays-2737-similar":41,"i-heroicons:arrow-left-20-solid":292},[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":17,"topics":18,"activities":19,"programme":20,"area":20,"websites":21,"language":20,"image":23,"translation_of":20,"countries":35,"tags":36,"authors":37,"images":38,"translations":39,"content":40},10523,"published","2024-12-21T11:01:41.000Z","2025-08-31T23:14:40.000Z","Happy holidays!","News","Dear colleagues, partners and friends, As the year comes to a close, we want to thank you for being an invaluable part of our journey to promote good governance and fight corruption worldwide. 2024 was marked by the tragic loss of our long-time Managing Director, [Gretta Fenner](https:\u002F\u002Fgretta.baselgovernance.org\u002F). We are deeply grateful to all who shared tributes and messages of condolence. Your support has been a source of strength, helping us continue and expand our work and impact in honour of Gretta's legacy. Looking ahead, 2025 marks a new chapter in the Basel Institute's 22-year history as we warmly welcome [Elizabeth Andersen](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fnew-executive-director-elizabeth-andersen) as Executive Director. We are taking some time to rest and recharge from 23 December until 2 January.  From Basel and our teams around the world, we wish you a peaceful holiday season and a bright, impactful year ahead.","2024-12-21",[14],"","happy-holidays-2737",[14],2737,[],[],null,[22],"Main page",{"id":24,"storage":25,"filename_disk":26,"filename_download":27,"title":9,"type":28,"created_on":29,"modified_on":30,"charset":20,"filesize":31,"width":32,"height":33,"duration":20,"embed":20,"description":20,"location":20,"tags":20,"metadata":34,"focal_point_x":20,"focal_point_y":20,"tus_id":20,"tus_data":20,"uploaded_on":30},"2a1aef93-752c-4eba-b4dc-7df72f8fae8a","local","2a1aef93-752c-4eba-b4dc-7df72f8fae8a.webp","Holiday card 2024 final.webp","image\u002Fwebp","2025-05-12T21:09:56.000Z","2026-05-06T07:35:35.000Z",306062,1240,1347,{},[],[],[],[],[],[],[42,69,96,124,149,192,225,247,269],{"id":43,"body":44,"status":6,"type":10,"date":45,"slug":46,"title":47,"image":48,"countries":49,"topic":51,"activity":53,"tags":55,"nid":56,"topics":57,"activities":58,"authors":59,"images":60,"websites":61,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":20,"translations":62,"translation_of":20,"user_created":63,"date_created":64,"user_updated":65,"date_updated":66,"content":67,"link":68},9778,"We are happy to announce that our [Public Finance Management programme in Peru](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fpublic-finance-peru) has been extended for another four years, following an excellent performance in the programme’s external evaluation.\n\nLaunched in 2015 and run out of our regional office in Lima, the programme is funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). It aims to strengthen public financial management among 11 local and regional governments in Peru.\n\n### Action and achievements\n\nEfforts in the first four years focused on five areas:\n\n*   Budget cycle processes\n*   Transparency and accountability\n*   Institutional capacity\n*   Coordination with central government\n*   Asset recovery\n\nThe numbers alone give a sense of the team’s achievements.\n\n229 public officials have graduated with a specialised [Diploma in Management and Public Finances](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Freflections-2018-peru-office-and-public-finance-management), developed and delivered in collaboration with Universidad ESAN. Over 3,350 have completed online training in tools for monitoring budget execution and open government. Another 8,000 have attended hands-on workshops and conferences across the country.\n\nThe team has assisted the 11 subnational government authorities in drawing up clear plans and processes for managing public finances, and provided technical assistance to 163 administrative units in implementing an integrated management system.\n\nLessons learned have contributed to five new proposed protocols for dealing with different aspects of budgetary macro-processes (all available in Spanish on the [programme website](http:\u002F\u002Fgfpsubnacional.pe\u002Fpublicaciones\u002F)).\n\nBut the numbers tell only a small part of the story.\n\n### Innovation and culture change\n\nAll eleven subnational governments in the programme have implemented codes of conduct for their employees, based on a participatory methodology developed by our specialists. Some of Peru’s central government ministries, including the [Ministry of Finance](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fperuvian-ministry-economy-and-finance-approves-code-ethics-and-conduct) and [Ministry of Energy and Mines](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fperus-ministry-energy-and-mines-develops-code-conduct-based-guidelines-seco-funded-subnational), have now adopted this methodology.\n\nGraduates of the diploma programme have set up a [Public Finance Management Experts Network](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fswiss-support-public-finance-management-experts-network-peru), showcasing and building on the bottom-up momentum. With support from the team, the Network is now snowballing across the country and already helping to facilitate dialogue with the central Peruvian government.\n\nAlso within the framework of the programme, senior managers and technical representatives from the involved 11 subnational governments have worked with the PEFA Secretariat on a [pioneering project to enhance Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fpefa-and-pfm-programme-making-public-financial-management-about-action-not-just-evaluation) evaluations. The focus is on action plans, not just evaluations.\n\n[Public accountability consultations](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fhow-regional-governments-peru-are-encouraging-citizen-participation-public-accountability) held recently by several subnational government are just another example of the culture change taking place within Peru with regard to transparency and accountability in public financial management.\n\n### Strengthening asset recovery capacity\n\nIn collaboration with the Basel Institute’s [International Centre for Asset Recovery](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fnode\u002F25), our Peru team has contributed to the return of USD 40.7 million in stolen assets. So far.\n\n1,280 law enforcement and judicial officials have been [trained](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fasset-recovery-training-peruvian-judiciary) in asset recovery techniques and the use of international cooperation mechanisms such as mutual legal assistance.\n\nThe team is also providing technical guidance in the establishment of an Asset Recovery Office in Peru. Some [groundbreaking cases](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Flandmark-asset-recovery-case-puts-peruvian-non-conviction-based-confiscation-legislation-test) are putting legal instruments including [plea bargaining](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fodebrecht-peru-interview-prosecutor-elmer-chirre-following-money-and-getting-it-back) and [non-conviction-based confiscation](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Flandmark-asset-recovery-case-puts-peruvian-non-conviction-based-confiscation-legislation-test) to the test.\n\n### Moving the needle\n\n_“Thanks to our willing, motivated partners in the subnational and central government authorities and to SECO’s generous support, we’ve succeeded in moving the needle to the right in most of the subnational governments assisted by the Programme,”_ said Oscar Solórzano, Manager of the Basel Institute’s Lima office.\n\n_“But there’s still a lot of work to be done – which is why we’re delighted to have received the four-year extension. The priorities now are support for public investment planning, procurement and tax collection at the subnational level. Watch this space.”_","2019-12-18","public-finance-management-programme-in-peru-achieves-flying-colours-and-enters-a-new-four-year-phase-1044","Public Finance Management programme in Peru achieves flying colours and enters a new four-year phase","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fc67ff26b-da04-4cf9-bef7-a84ceb5beada?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[50],7434,[52],"Public Finance Management",[54],"Media releases",[],1044,[52],[54],[],[],[22],[],"03bebfd8-0b40-4a2a-820d-b9d9c13b9de6","2022-05-26T22:55:33.000Z","b0662e2a-864d-4888-a1b7-4342b7570b30","2025-08-31T23:14:59.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fpublic-finance-management-programme-in-peru-achieves-flying-colours-and-enters-a-new-four-year-phase-1044",{"id":70,"body":71,"status":6,"type":10,"date":72,"slug":73,"title":74,"image":75,"countries":76,"topic":77,"activity":80,"tags":82,"nid":83,"topics":84,"activities":86,"authors":87,"images":88,"websites":89,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":20,"translations":90,"translation_of":20,"user_created":63,"date_created":91,"user_updated":92,"date_updated":93,"content":94,"link":95},10414,"We are very happy to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group ([ESAAMLG](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.esaamlg.org\u002Findex.php\u002Fabout)) and the Basel Institute on Governance.\n\nWith its 21 member countries, ESAAMLG is at the forefront of efforts to combat corruption, money laundering and the illicit flow of funds within Eastern and Southern Africa. The regional body’s objectives align closely with those of our International Centre for Asset Recovery ([ICAR](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fasset-recovery)), which provides long-term training and technical assistance on anti-corruption and asset recovery to several partner countries within the region.\n\nExecutive Secretary of ESAAMLG, Ms. Fikile P. Zitha, said:\n\n> In line with our shared values of transparency, integrity and accountability, this collaboration symbolises a significant step forward in our collective fight against corruption, money laundering and the erosion of good governance. By working hand in hand, ESAAMLG and the Basel Institute on Governance aim to foster a regional environment characterised by financial integrity, economic stability, and social well-being.\n\nGretta Fenner, Managing Director of the Basel Institute on Governance, said:\n\n> Regional bodies and coalitions are essential to advancing corruption and money laundering investigations and to recovering stolen assets. They can help to improve information sharing and multiply the impact of capacity building and technical assistance. The formal partnership with ESAAMLG will help us to reach more of those on the front lines of fighting financial crime in this dynamic region.\n\nThe Basel Institute’s work with ESAAMLG will primarily be carried out through [ICAR](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fasset-recovery), which is supported by the Governments of Jersey, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the UK.","2024-01-30","new-partnership-to-boost-the-fight-against-financial-crime-in-eastern-and-southern-africa-2574","New partnership to boost the fight against financial crime in Eastern and Southern Africa","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fdbcc6279-a3a5-41b2-9add-06b521e21475?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[78,79],"Anti-Money Laundering","Asset Recovery",[81],"Partnerships",[],2574,[78,85],"Asset Recovery and Enforcement",[81],[],[],[22],[],"2024-01-30T17:01:35.000Z","3d9ff205-1640-4f34-b5b6-86977f51bbd6","2026-05-29T22:22:28.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fnew-partnership-to-boost-the-fight-against-financial-crime-in-eastern-and-southern-africa-2574",{"id":97,"body":98,"status":6,"type":99,"date":100,"slug":101,"title":102,"image":103,"countries":104,"topic":106,"activity":107,"tags":111,"nid":112,"topics":113,"activities":114,"authors":115,"images":117,"websites":118,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":20,"translations":119,"translation_of":20,"user_created":63,"date_created":120,"user_updated":92,"date_updated":121,"content":122,"link":123},10473,"Those of us involved in corruption investigations and asset recovery know how important it is to gain fresh perspectives, contribute to international policy discussions, learn from others in the field and hopefully help them, too. In this spirit I am happy to share my experience from attending the 7th Session of the [Conference of the States Parties](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Funodc\u002Fen\u002Fcorruption\u002FCOSP\u002Fconference-of-the-states-parties.html) (COSP) in Vienna in November 2017.\n\nHeld every two years, the five-day Conference is the main policy-making body of the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). I was invited to attend this important event in my role as Director General of the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) of Malawi.\n\nConference highlights\n---------------------\n\nDuring panel discussions organised by the [Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative](https:\u002F\u002Fstar.worldbank.org\u002F) (STAR) and the [International Centre for Asset Recovery](https:\u002F\u002Fforum.assetrecovery.org\u002F) (ICAR), I presented Malawi’s success – and challenges – in recent asset recovery activities. Discussions with fellow panellists and the audience were lively. How do you stop recovered assets being plundered again? What do pre- and post-confiscation plans look like? What is the role of civil society in asset recovery?\n\nThere was also a lot of buzz about a new online tool, the [Guidelines for the Efficient Recovery of Stolen Assets](https:\u002F\u002Fguidelines.assetrecovery.org\u002F)_,_ which was initiated by the Swiss Government and already received much attention during the 5th and 6th Sessions of the COSP. In providing practical guidance throughout the asset recovery process, it will be extremely valuable to the FIA and our equivalents worldwide.\n\nA presentation on the [G20 High Level Principles on Organizing Against Corruption](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.consilium.europa.eu\u002Fmedia\u002F23555\u002F2017-g20-acwg-anti-corruption.pdf) offered practical insights into how to make anti-corruption a reality in the public sector. It is clear that we need to implement these principles in Malawi, covering everything from administrative processes to recruitment, training and transparency.\n\nI was provided with yet another perspective during a session led by Alliance Integrity and Transparency International on promoting integrity in state-owned enterprises. The recently released [10 Anti-Corruption Principles for State-Owned Enterprises](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.transparency.org\u002Fen\u002Fpublications\u002F10-anti-corruption-principles-for-state-owned-enterprises) includes many of the principles we discussed during that session.\n\nPartnerships & support\n----------------------\n\nMy participation in the 2017 COSP is thanks to support from the Basel Institute, through ICAR and within a programme of work funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID). ICAR’s experts have helped us greatly during the last three years, providing technical assistance and guidance on the ground. \n\nAt a working partnership lunch organised by ICAR, I had the chance to exchange experiences with other countries both supporting and benefiting from ICAR’s technical assistance. It was interesting that we all encounter similar challenges: building relationships with local and foreign counterparts, managing public expectations and dealing with lengthy timeframes for investigation, prosecution and recovery of stolen assets.\n\nThe challenges of financial investigation and asset recovery are too great for any one organisation or country to bear alone. Through networking, shaping policy and learning from one another at the COSP, we return to our countries with fresh perspectives and a renewed sense of belonging to a robust, international network of support.\n\n_By Atuweni Juwayeyi-Agbermodji, Director General, Financial Intelligence Authority, Malawi_","Blog","2018-05-28","conference-of-the-states-parties-sharing-insights-renewing-support-87","Conference of the States Parties: sharing insights, renewing support","\u002Fpics\u002Fimg-placeholder.png",[105],7535,[79],[108,109,110],"Events","Insights","International cooperation",[],87,[85],[108,109,110],[116],1281,[],[22],[],"2024-08-13T22:02:11.000Z","2026-05-29T22:22:31.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fconference-of-the-states-parties-sharing-insights-renewing-support-87",{"id":125,"body":126,"status":6,"type":10,"date":127,"slug":128,"title":129,"image":130,"countries":131,"topic":132,"activity":135,"tags":136,"nid":137,"topics":138,"activities":140,"authors":141,"images":142,"websites":143,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":20,"translations":144,"translation_of":20,"user_created":63,"date_created":145,"user_updated":92,"date_updated":146,"content":147,"link":148},9552,"An upcoming series of online workshops titled [The Trouble with the State: Boundaries and Networks in Africa](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.arnold-bergstraesser.de\u002Fen\u002Feucor-cross-border-workshop-series-the-trouble-with-the-state-boundaries-and-networks-in-africa) will question the centrality of the concept of the \"state\" in the social sciences.\n\nIn African contexts, the Eurocentric ideal of the \"state\" does not generally reflect realities on the ground. Perhaps instead we should be paying more attention to transnational social spaces, boundaries and networks? What would that mean for development and peace building efforts?\n\n### About the workshops\n\nThe half-day workshops on 25 October, 2 November and 9 November 2021 are funded by [EUCOR - The European Campus](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.eucor-uni.org\u002Fen\u002F), an alliance of five universities in Germany, France and Switzerland. They workshops seek to advance fresh analytical perspectives and methodological reflection, making the link with real experiences and case studies, and give researchers the opportunity to exchange constructive feedback on ongoing research projects. \n\n[Claudia Baez Camargo](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fabout\u002Fpeople\u002Fclaudia-baez-camargo), our Head of Public Governance, is helping to organise the workshops as part of her role as Governance Lead for the University of Basel's [Centre for African Studies](https:\u002F\u002Fzasb.unibas.ch\u002Fen\u002F), where she is also on the Steering Committee. She will co-host the Basel event on 9 November alongside representatives of the Centre for African Studies, the University of Bayreuth and Sciences Po Bordeaux.\n\n### Open to all - register now\n\nThe workshops will take place on Zoom and will be of particular interest to students and researchers in the fields of political science, sociology, history, African studies, anthropology, international relations, and peace and conflict studies.\n\nAs an Associated Institute of the University of Basel, we are happy to be supporting the series and its contribution to bringing academic insights to governance-related technical assistance work, and vice versa. We believe this type of academic exchange is crucial in order to inform interventions aimed at improving the lives of people in African countries. \n\nWe hope to see you there – register directly (for free) on the links below or visit the [Centre for African Studies website](https:\u002F\u002Fzasb.unibas.ch\u002Fen\u002Feucor-workshop-series\u002F) for fuller descriptions and speaker lists.\n\n*   Session 1: Consolidated or undermined statehood? The transnationalisation of state legitimacy. 25 October 2021, 09:15-12:45 CET. [Register](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.arnold-bergstraesser.de\u002Fen\u002Fanmeldeformular?title=Part%201%3A%20Consolidated%20or%20undermined%20statehood%3F%20The%20transnationalisation%20of%20state%20legitimacy&date=2021-10-25%2000%3A00%3A00)\n*   Session 2: Contested migration governance and borders. 2 November 2021, 09:15-12:45 CET. [Register](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.arnold-bergstraesser.de\u002Fen\u002Fanmeldeformular?title=Part%202%3A%20Contested%20migration%20governance%20and%20borders&date=2021-11-02%2000%3A00%3A00)\n*   Session 3: The trouble with the nation-state. Knowledge production and policy implications in a transnational world. 9 November 2021, 09:15-12:45 CET. [Register](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.arnold-bergstraesser.de\u002Fen\u002Fanmeldeformular?title=Part%203%3A%20The%20trouble%20with%20the%20nation-state.%20Knowledge%20production%20and%20policy%20implications%20in%20a%20transnational%20world&date=2021-11-09%2000%3A00%3A00)","2021-10-20","eucor-workshop-series-the-trouble-with-the-state-boundaries-and-networks-in-africa-2119","EUCOR workshop series – The Trouble with the State: Boundaries and Networks in Africa","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F1339c947-0ffc-46f2-977a-108343ed2fb9?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[133,134],"Prevention"," Research and Innovation",[108],[],2119,[139],"Prevention Research and Innovation",[108],[],[],[22],[],"2022-05-26T22:52:23.000Z","2026-05-07T21:29:41.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Feucor-workshop-series-the-trouble-with-the-state-boundaries-and-networks-in-africa-2119",{"id":150,"body":151,"status":6,"type":10,"date":152,"slug":153,"title":154,"image":155,"countries":156,"topic":157,"activity":162,"tags":164,"nid":180,"topics":181,"activities":182,"authors":183,"images":184,"websites":185,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":20,"translations":186,"translation_of":20,"user_created":63,"date_created":187,"user_updated":188,"date_updated":189,"content":190,"link":191},9614,"Our partners at the OECD have just published a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to help companies involved in minerals sectors better address bribery and corruption risks throughout their supply chain.\n\nFind it here: [FAQ: How to address bribery and corruption risks in mineral supply chains](https:\u002F\u002Fmneguidelines.oecd.org\u002Ffaq-how-to-address-bribery-and-corruption-risks-in-mineral-supply-chains.htm)\n\nThe FAQs complement the user-friendly and interactive online version of the gold-standard _OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas_ ([Minerals Guidance](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.duediligenceguidance.org\u002F)). The questions cover some common challenges in identifying, preventing, mitigating and reporting on bribery and corruption risks in mineral supply chains.\n\nWe welcome the FAQs for many reasons.\n\n### A practical tool...\n\nFirst, because good policies and guidelines against corruption often suffer from weak implementation on the ground. Practical tools that help companies to implement recommendations can only help to make anti-corruption measures more effective – and the industry fairer and more efficient as a result.\n\n### ... serving real needs\n\nSecond, these FAQs really address the concrete needs of users because the OECD consulted extensively with governments, the private sector and civil society in developing them.\n\nWe were happy to contribute as part of the consultation process through our [Green Corruption](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fgreen-corruption) programme, which applies anti-corruption and governance approaches to counter environmental degradation.\n\n### ... endorsing Collective Action\n\nThird, we are glad to see that the OECD endorses and encourages [anti-corruption Collective Action](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fb20-collective-action-hub) as a way for companies to increase their leverage over suppliers further upstream in the supply chain. Answer 8 states:\n\n> Companies can join forces with their peers, usually at a similar position in the supply chain, to apply pressure on specific issues such as corruption. This can be done via established fora, such as industry associations, multi-stakeholder groups and High Level Reporting Mechanisms where available, or by working with buyers from the same supplier associated to corruption risks.\n\nThis endorsement of Collective Action, in this case through multi-stakeholder groups and partnership initiatives led by industry associations, aligns with a general trend we are seeing across a variety of high-risk industries. \n\nAs our recent paper on [_Mainstreaming Collective Action_](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fmainstreaming-collective-action-establishing-baseline) reveals, governments, standard-setters and the private sector itself are increasingly recognising the value of companies engaging with others in Collective Action initiatives to tackle shared corruption risks and create a more level playing field.\n\nDeveloped and promoted by the OECD and the [Collective Action team](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fcollective-action) at the Basel Institute on Governance, the [High Level Reporting Mechanism (HLRM)](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fb20-collective-action-hub\u002Fhrlm) is a good example of how a Collective Action tool can help to quickly and effectively address reports of bribe solicitations or unfair business practices. Governments around the world are currently implementing or considering the HLRM for high-risk, high-value tenders such as those found in the extractive industries.\n\n### ... supporting risk assessment\n\nFinally, we are also glad that the OECD authors recommend two of our flagship digital tools in the FAQs to help companies conduct corruption risk assessments on:\n\n*   countries, using our [Basel AML Index Expert Edition](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fbasel-aml-index\u002Fexpert-edition) risk assessment tool for corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing risks;\n*   individuals and companies, through our open-source investigation and due diligence tool, [Basel Open Intelligence](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fbasel-open-intelligence).\n\nCompany leaders, compliance officers and all those seeking to improve responsible and sustainable business practices in mineral supply chains are strongly encouraged to use and share the FAQs.\n\n### Sharing experiences: joint OECD-Basel Institute webinar series\n\nWe hope to see some of you at upcoming editions of our [Corrupting the Environment webinar series](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fgreen-corruption\u002Fcorrupting-environment). Co-hosted by our Green Corruption team and the OECD, the series brings together thought leaders among government, private industry and civil society to explore burning issues of environmental degradation, financial crime and illicit trade.","2021-03-23","welcoming-the-oecds-new-faqs-on-corruption-risks-in-mineral-supply-chains-1993","Welcoming the OECD’s new FAQs on corruption risks in mineral supply chains","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fd1bf1245-17aa-40dc-96ed-6d71d37e4ab2?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[158,159,160,161],"Collective Action","HLRM","Green Corruption","Private Sector",[163],"Reports",[165,168,172,176],{"tags_id":166},{"id":167,"name":158},909,{"tags_id":169},{"id":170,"name":171},830,"Business integrity",{"tags_id":173},{"id":174,"name":175},1303,"Environment",{"tags_id":177},{"id":178,"name":179},859,"Corruption risks",1993,[158,159,160,161],[163],[],[],[22,158],[],"2022-05-26T22:53:17.000Z","dfef11db-1bc6-47e9-a61d-93443995484b","2026-05-08T21:11:02.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fwelcoming-the-oecds-new-faqs-on-corruption-risks-in-mineral-supply-chains-1993",{"id":193,"body":194,"status":6,"type":10,"date":195,"slug":196,"title":197,"image":198,"countries":199,"topic":209,"activity":210,"tags":213,"nid":214,"topics":215,"activities":216,"authors":217,"images":218,"websites":219,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":20,"translations":220,"translation_of":20,"user_created":63,"date_created":221,"user_updated":92,"date_updated":222,"content":223,"link":224},9647,"Twenty anti-corruption investigators and financial intelligence analysts from 10 African countries completed an intensive [Advanced Operational Analysis](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fasset-recovery\u002Ftraining-programmes\u002Fadvanced-operational-analysis) course last week hosted by the [Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Centre](http:\u002F\u002Fwww.thecaacc.org\u002F) (CAACC).\n\nDelivered online by our International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR) [training team](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fasset-recovery\u002Ftraining-programmes), the workshop blended eLearning modules with live video sessions in which the participants worked together to solve a simulated corruption case.\n\n### Enhancing mutual understanding\n\nThe participants came from anti-corruption agencies and Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) in Botswana, South Africa, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Namibia, Mauritius, Zambia and Lesotho.\n\nAs usual in ICAR training programmes, the multi-agency approach helped participants to better understand each other’s needs and roles. FIU analysts were encouraged to tailor their intelligence products to the needs of investigators in law enforcement agencies. In turn, investigators learnt how an FIU operates by taking the [Operational Analysis eLearning module](Enhancing%20mutual%20understanding) and solving the simulated case.\n\nBy the end of the week, participants fully understood the value of breaking silos down, of exchanging information and coordinating their actions, nationally and regionally. \n\n### Reflecting on FATF mutual evaluations\n\nThe training was also an opportunity for the participants to reflect on the lessons learnt from the recent Financial Action Task Force (FATF) evaluations of Mauritius, Zambia and Botswana.\n\nThese three countries have undergone an FATF fourth-round evaluation, which covers the _effectiveness_ of national systems to combat money laundering and terrorist financing and not merely technical compliance with FATF Recommendations. The [Basel AML Index](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fbasel-aml-index), which assesses the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing around the world, has consistently noted that countries typically fall down the rankings when assessed with the new methodology.\n\nThe participants together looked at ways to enhance effectiveness in the use of financial intelligence for money laundering investigations, as well as in investigations, prosecutions and the confiscation of assets.\n\n### Impact and collaboration\n\nThis impact-driven training aimed to provide participants with skills that are directly applicable in their daily work. We were happy to receive participants’ comments including “it touched on similarities of the case I am currently investigating” and “the financial analysis will improve the presentation of my case”. One participant commented that the training will “help me in investigating suspicious transaction reports that I recently received”.\n\nThe Basel Institute has a long-standing relationship with the Botswana-based CAACC and has conducted previous workshops in 2017 and 2020. See our article about the [2020 workshop on Financial Investigations and Asset Recovery](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fbuilding-bridges-anti-corruption-cooperation-africa) for more information about the CAACC and our fruitful collaboration.\n\n### ICAR training in multiple languages\n\nTo find out more about ICAR training programmes, please download our latest brochure in English, Spanish, French or Portuguese:\n\n*   [English: Training programmes – Financial investigations and asset recovery](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2020-11\u002FICAR%20training%20brochure%20Nov%202020.pdf)\n*   [Español: Programas de capacitación – Investigaciones financieras y recuperación de activos](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2020-12\u002F201208_icar-trainings-spanish.pdf)\n*   [Français : Programmes de formation – Enquêtes financières et recouvrement d’avoirs](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2020-12\u002F201208_icar-trainings-french.pdf)\n*   [Português: Programas de formação – Investigações financeiras e recuperação de activos](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2020-12\u002F201208_icar-trainings-portugese.pdf)","2020-12-08","ten-country-advanced-operational-analysis-training-offers-chance-to-reflect-on-the-effectiveness-of-aml-systems-1937","Ten-country Advanced Operational Analysis training offers chance to reflect on the effectiveness of AML systems","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Ff9578a9e-8360-48f7-983d-5a9df0281030?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[200,201,202,203,204,205,206,207,208],7368,7369,7370,7371,7372,7373,7374,7375,7376,[78,79],[211,212],"Training","eLearning",[],1937,[78,85],[211,212],[],[],[22],[],"2022-05-26T22:53:45.000Z","2026-05-29T22:21:47.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Ften-country-advanced-operational-analysis-training-offers-chance-to-reflect-on-the-effectiveness-of-aml-systems-1937",{"id":226,"body":227,"status":6,"type":99,"date":228,"slug":229,"title":230,"image":231,"countries":232,"topic":233,"activity":234,"tags":235,"nid":236,"topics":237,"activities":238,"authors":239,"images":241,"websites":242,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":20,"translations":243,"translation_of":20,"user_created":63,"date_created":244,"user_updated":65,"date_updated":66,"content":245,"link":246},9830,"As every year when the time comes to write the foreword for our Annual Report, we are filled with pride, gratitude and a sense of satisfaction. It is a privilege to work with passionate people, committed partners and supportive donors, and to work toward a goal that helps make this world a better place.\n\nThis may make some of you roll your eyes. And we get that. It can sound naive, and today more so than in a long time. Working for the good of the world is not trendy in many quarters, and it seems particularly rare among those who are elected to do exactly that. The geopolitical context also seems to indicate that the quality of governance is declining. Systems are infested with corruption and captured by individualistic interests that are far removed from the voters’ voices.\n\nYet it is so important to remember that there is a broader objective to our daily grind, the frustrations and setbacks that all of us in the anti-corruption community experience. And to be proud of it. Because not all is doom and gloom. The rising climate change youth movements, for example, are showing us that energy can be mobilised when we show credibly and based on facts that the collective good matters for all of us, individually and collectively. \n\nThis idea of collective responsibility – and collective gain – and of the broader societal relevance of our work is what has been driving our team since the Basel Institute’s establishment, now 15 years ago. \n\nIn our work with the private sector, we feel strongly that the Collective Action approach to anti-corruption is now practised more frequently and recognised as a critical means to achieve lasting change in our economy-driven societies. In the coming years, we will work with partner companies to firmly enshrine this principle as an international anti-corruption norm so that it can attain its full potential. \n\nSimilarly, through our work with law enforcement, other public sector accountability institutions and non-state actors, we find increased readiness to join forces across institutions, borders and sectors. By that, we mean truly join forces, not just go to conferences together. By way of example, in practice this is enabling us to carry the governance and anti-corruption drive into new sectors, as we have started doing in the area of illegal wildlife trade. And it means that law enforcement is showing increased interest in what prevention departments do, for example understanding drivers of corruption and how this can feed into intelligence-led enforcement. \n\nThe multi-sector and multi-disciplinary approach of the Basel Institute is well placed to support these developments, and we are happy if we can play a small role in fostering such thinking. So yes, we are proud. We are also humbled by the challenges that continue to lie ahead. And we are highly motivated to work with all of you to continue putting hurdles in the way of those who think that making the world a better place is a dream of fools.\n\nTo those we say that we gladly side with the fools.\n\n_Download our [2018 Annual Report here](\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2019-07\u002FBasel%20Institute%20Annual%20Report%202018.pdf)._","2019-07-22","a-dream-of-fools-foreward-to-our-annual-report-2018-951","A dream of fools? Foreward to our Annual Report 2018","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F0b125ce7-7ba2-4580-b0bf-5f12bab072da?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[14],[163,109],[],951,[],[163,109],[240],1265,[],[22],[],"2022-05-26T22:56:17.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fa-dream-of-fools-foreward-to-our-annual-report-2018-951",{"id":248,"body":249,"status":6,"type":99,"date":250,"slug":251,"title":252,"image":253,"countries":254,"topic":255,"activity":256,"tags":257,"nid":258,"topics":259,"activities":260,"authors":261,"images":262,"websites":263,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":20,"translations":264,"translation_of":20,"user_created":63,"date_created":265,"user_updated":92,"date_updated":266,"content":267,"link":268},9871,"The third meeting of the [International Academy of Financial Crime Litigators](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.financialcrimelitigators.org\u002F) in Basel this March brought together some of the world’s top academic and litigation professionals in the field of financial crime.\n\nThe Academy was established in 2018 by [Stéphane Bonifassi](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fin\u002Fst%C3%A9phane-bonifassi\u002F) of Bonifassi Avocats (Paris), [Lincoln Caylor](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fin\u002Fcaylorlincoln\u002F) of Bennett Jones (Toronto) and [Elizabeth Ortega](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fin\u002Fecortega\u002F) of ECO Strategic Communications (Miami).\n\nHow and why did this high-level group come about? Elizabeth Ortega explains in this quick Q&A:\n\n### Why was it necessary to launch The Academy?\n\nThe Academy was founded in 2018 in direct response to the large number of financial crime matters being handled out of court and the clear need to unite litigation professionals with academic theorists. The Basel Institute on Governance is a crucial collaborator. The Academy’s mandate is to drive international cooperation in the interest of both the victim and the accused and to develop skills and best practices for application in this highly specialised field.\n\n### Who are its members?\n\nProfessionals at the top of their game. Membership is by invitation only, extended to litigation professionals with over 20 years of experience, to professors in relevant disciplines, and to advocates for one and all.\n\nWhy bring both sides, victims and the accused, to the table?\n\nThis is the best way to promote the open exchange of ideas and information. There’s an inherent, beneficial tension in differing opinions, applications and overall goals. This forum for discussion informs practitioners and academics as they wrestle intellectually to a draw: The Academy, where theory meets practice.\n\n### How does this vision unfold at meetings?\n\nAbout twice a year, we meet for a full day in a university setting. We want to absorb the full experience of collegiality and openness to learning, debating and honing opinions. For example, at our most recent meeting at the Basel Institute, [Professor Mark Pieth](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.pieth.ch\u002F) stirred up interest by speaking on how to start cleaning \"dirty gold\". He listed findings from his extensive investigations in Peru together with analysis of compliance levels of major gold refineries and high-end jewellery retailers. \n\n[Litigator Fred Davis](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.debevoise.com\u002Ffrederickdavis) led a lively and interactive discussion on nations’ various professional rules that apply to lawyers conducting cross-border criminal investigations. He linked them to the ultimate impacts on investigations and defence. His probing questions inspired a discussion topic for our next meeting at New York University School of Law: Does a corporation have the right to defend itself? \n\n[Professor Bruce Zagaris](http:\u002F\u002Fbcr.tv\u002Fattorney\u002Fbruce-zagaris) spoke on the revival of the United States’ disclosure statute, Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), pertaining to lobbying regulation.\n\n[Gretta Fenner](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fabout\u002Fpeople\u002Fgretta-fenner), Managing Director of the Basel Institute on Governance, said, “the discussions were really rich and enriching.”\n\nFenner’s sentiments sum up our hands-on classroom dynamic. We experienced sheer zeal inspired by presenters and delegates. The high level of critical thinking driven by discussion leaders brought out candid and provocative responses. All found it easy to engage.\n\n### Read more\n\nThe IAFCL website hosts recent [news and articles by Academy members](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.financialcrimelitigators.org\u002Fmembers-news) – happy reading.","2019-04-10","the-international-academy-of-financial-crime-litigators-qampa-with-co-founder-elizabeth-ortega-887","The International Academy of Financial Crime Litigators: Q&A with co-founder Elizabeth Ortega","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F9023e68e-9fb2-42c5-815c-71745ca14b97?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[78,79],[108,81,110],[],887,[78,85],[108,81,110],[],[],[22],[],"2022-05-26T22:56:53.000Z","2026-05-29T22:22:01.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fthe-international-academy-of-financial-crime-litigators-qampa-with-co-founder-elizabeth-ortega-887",{"id":270,"body":271,"status":6,"type":10,"date":272,"slug":273,"title":274,"image":275,"countries":276,"topic":278,"activity":279,"tags":280,"nid":281,"topics":282,"activities":283,"authors":284,"images":285,"websites":286,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":20,"translations":287,"translation_of":20,"user_created":63,"date_created":288,"user_updated":92,"date_updated":289,"content":290,"link":291},9895,"We are delighted to welcome the [Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad)](https:\u002F\u002Fnorad.no\u002Fen\u002Ffront\u002F) as a core donor to the Basel Institute’s [International Centre for Asset Recovery](\u002Fnode\u002F25\u002F) (ICAR). With the three-year grant, Norway joins the UK, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Jersey in supporting ICAR’s Operational Strategy 2017–20.\n\nThis illustrates Norway’s strong commitment to the global fight against corruption. It will greatly assist in offering ICAR’s expertise and support to more countries that are suffering from the effect of significant assets having been stolen.\n\nEmbedded within the Basel Institute since 2006, ICAR’s international team of experts work closely with authorities in developing and transition countries around the world to strengthen their capacities to trace, recover and return stolen public assets. ICAR provides hands-on support to the authorities on actual case work, including financial investigations and international cooperation. This is supported by structured training courses, e-learning modules and IT tools supporting investigators in tracing assets.\n\nLise Stensrud, Policy Director on Anti-Corruption at Norad, says: “We are very happy to enter into a cooperation with ICAR and to support the valuable work ICAR provides. We take note that the request from countries for this type of technical assistance today is on a sharp increase, and we should be able to provide support to countries which shows the will to pursue corruption.","2019-02-11","norad-becomes-core-donor-to-icar-611","Norad becomes core donor to ICAR","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fc2d860d2-e4e2-4ef0-a17a-3d2b12e53774?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[277],7502,[79],[81,110,54],[],611,[85],[81,110,54],[],[],[22],[],"2022-05-26T22:57:14.000Z","2026-05-29T22:22:02.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fnorad-becomes-core-donor-to-icar-611",{"left":293,"top":293,"width":294,"height":294,"rotate":293,"vFlip":295,"hFlip":295,"body":296},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>",1780676505609]