For quarter of a century Transparency International has been fighting corruption around the world. In that time governments have been brought down over corruption, corrupt individuals have been put behind bars, new anti-corruption legislation has been enacted, and stopping corruption has been put firmly on the global agenda. As we celebrate our 25th birthday, now is an appropriate time to consider some of Transparency International’s landmark moments and successes - so we can both learn from the past and instruct our agenda for the next 25 years. To the global achievements we have added a snapshot of work from our over 100 national chapters.
1993
TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL IS BORN Berlin
In 1993, a few individuals decided to take a stance against corruption and created Transparency International. Now present in more than 100 countries, the movement works relentlessly to stir the world’s collective conscience and bring about change.
Much remains to be done to stop corruption, but much has also been achieved – as this timeline will go on to explore…
1994
FIRST NATIONAL CHAPTERS ARE LAUNCHED Denmark, Ecuador, Germany, UK, USA The first national chapters in Denmark, Germany, the UK and the USA were launched in 1994. Today, TI consists of more than 100 chapters – locally established and independent organisations – that fight corruption in their respective countries.
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Our chapters play a crucial role in shaping our collective work and achieving our regional and global goals. Corruption is global and TI’s multi-country research and advocacy initiatives are driven by the chapters.
(I am in) awe of what this charity does. You’re out there, on the frontline, collecting the data…Your updates keep us informed…Your work has raised awareness like no one else. DAVID CAMERON
Former UK Prime Minister
1995
LAUNCH OF CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX (CPI) Berlin
In 1995, TI launched the CPI, which ranked nations on the perceptions of corruption within each country. The CPI has been widely credited with putting the issue of corruption on the international policy agenda and governments have been forced to take notice and act.
The CPI is also used by businesses to inform their risk management around the world to understand corruption in those jurisdictions.
1997
THE ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (OECD) ANTI-BRIBERY CONVENTION IS SIGNED Paris
The OECD Anti-Bribery Convention was signed on 17th December 1997. It establishes legally binding standards to criminalise bribery of foreign public officials in international business transactions and provides for a host of
related measures that make this effective. TI played an instrumental role in this convention through high level advocacy over a number of years in support of global standards against bribery.
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Transparency International has done more to keep the anti-corruption agenda in the public eye, where it belongs, than any other organization I know. These days, we clearly need their staunch commitment even more than when they started. BILL SAVEDOFF
Senior Fellow Centre for Global Development
1999
TI IS AWARDED THE FREEDOM PRIZE OF THE MAX-SCHMIDHEINY FOUNDATION Switzerland
TI was honoured with the prestigious Freedom Award by the Max-Schmidheiny Foundation based in Switzerland. The SF200,000 prize was shared between TI and The Economist magazine. This award came as recognition of
Transparency International’s success in placing the fight against corruption on the agenda of governments, international organisations and private businesses throughout the world.
2002
THE EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE (EITI) IS ANNOUNCED AND PUBLISH WHAT YOU PAY (PWYP) IS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED London
In June 2002, PWYP, a group of civil society organisations that advocated for financial transparency in the extractive industries, was officially launched with TI-UK as one of six founding members.
This prompted Prime Minister, Tony Blair, to announce the EITI, a global standard for financial transparency and good governance of oil, gas and mineral resources.
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TI-UK has established itself as the UK’s leading advocacy organisation for combating corruption: both in the UK and internationally. It acts as an essential antidote against corruption, in a world in which trust is fragile, and people long for integrity in government, politics, business, media, civil society and their own daily lives. Many achievements have been delivered, but many more are needed in the next 25 years! DAVID NUSSBAUM
Chief Executive Officer The Elders
2003
THE FIRST GLOBAL CORRUPTION BAROMETER IS PUBLISHED Berlin
TI’s first Global Corruption Barometer was published in 2003. Gallup International started conducting an annual Voice of the People survey in 2002. Transparency International’s Global Corruption Barometer is derived from a subset of questions commissioned through this
survey. This survey investigates a wide variety of areas and issues across many countries, with several questions related to public views on corruption. The 2017 iteration was based on responses of 162,136 people in 119 countries/ territories.
2003
AFRICAN UNION CONVENTION ON PREVENTING AND COMBATING CORRUPTION Maputo
Adopted in Mozambique in July 2003, the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption was one of the first instances of regional consensus on what African states should do in the areas of prevention, criminalization, international cooperation
and asset recovery. It followed years of campaigning by TI and its African chapters against corruption in Africa. As of 2018, the treaty has been ratified by 38 states and signed by an additional 17.
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From my own experience as UN Secretary General I can say that the United Nations’ work on corruption benefited enormously from benchmarks development by Transparency International. These benchmarks guided the development of the anti-corruption principle of the UN Global Compact... A lot is left to do, but a lot you have already achieved. KOFI ANNAN
Former Secretary General United Nations
2003
UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION AGAINST CORRUPTION IS ADOPTED (UNCAC) Vienna and New York The UNCAC was introduced in 2003 as a legal framework for legislating against corruption. There are now 177 countries that have signed the binding treaty to legislate against corruption. Article 13 of the convention explicitly recognised the role of civil society participation.
Transparency International was a leading proponent for the establishment of UNCAC, working with civil society and governments to bring it about.
2003
FIRST ADVOCACY AND LEGAL ADVICE CENTRES (ALACS) ARE OPENED Worldwide TI’s ALACs provide free and confidential legal advice to witnesses and victims of corruption. It offers a simple, credible and variable mechanism for citizens to pursue their corruption-related complaints. ALACs empower citizens in the fight against corruption and also play a critical
role identifying corruption hotspots that demand reform or official action. Today, 200,000+ citizens have contacted an ALAC, 100+ ALAC offices are open and 60+ countries have fully operating ALACs.
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In seeking to improve National Grid’s approach in this critical area, we have at all times found Transparency International’s guidance to be practical and actionable and their team to be nothing but helpful, well informed and keen to help us succeed. BEN GRAFF
Senior Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Corporate Affairs National Grid
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Transparency International is a vital organisation and shining a light where it is most needed. That includes within our own financial systems.
BARONESS NORTHOVER
Peer, House of Lords
2003
CORRUPTION IS ADDED TO THE UN GLOBAL COMPACT New York
The UNCAC was introduced in 2003 as a legal framework for legislating against corruption. There are now 177 countries that have signed the binding treaty to legislate against corruption. Article 13 of the convention explicitly recognised the role of civil society participation.
Transparency International was a leading proponent for the establishment of UNCAC, working with civil society and governments to bring it about.
2004
NEW TI PROGRAMME TARGETS CORRUPTION IN DEFENCE SECTOR London In 2004, TI’s global Defence and Security Programme was established in London to tackle the problem of corruption in the defence sector and national defence establishments. The programme has actively engaged with the defence and security ministries and armed forces of a wide range of countries including Colombia, Norway, Afghanistan, Bulgaria,
Ukraine, the UK, Greece, Croatia and Bosnia. The programme has also worked directly with individuals from defence ministries, security ministries and armed forces from more than 35 nations through training programmes, research, workshops, roundtables and high-level policy action.
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Go back one generation and corruption attracted little global attention...This shift in public attention has been generated by new knowledge, investigative journalists and specialist NGOs...the accolade must surely go to Transparency International, which, by measuring and publicizing corruption, has had an impact quite astounding relative to its tiny budget SIR PAUL COLLIER CBE
Professor of Economics and Public Policy Univeristy of Oxford
2004
TI CAMPAIGN IS RECOGNISED IN GOVERNMENT TENDER PROGRAMME Mexico
In 2004, Social Witnesses – inspired by the work of TI Mexico – was brought into all government tender programmes. The social witness consists of an independent person(s) with technical experience that monitors from the invitation to tender to the signing of the final contract in
the contracting process and expresses recommendations and comments in a public report.
2004
FIRST EVER UN INTERNATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION DAY Worldwide
On 9th December 2004 the first ever International Anti-Corruption Day was held, recognising the essential global leadership provided at Merida, Mexico – where 95 countries took the anti-corruption pledge by signing the UN Convention against Corruption.
International Anti-Corruption Day recognises the devastating impact of corruption on the lives of millions of people around the world and honours the quiet acts of courage of individuals who are building the foundation of change.
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As an academic researcher, it is always a pleasure to work with TI-UK because they really value the integrity of research. They are expert at building an advocacy agenda on top of the evidence, but the evidence always comes first. I think that is why TI-UK is so highly regarded across a wide range of audiences. They have earned the trust of government and the private sector because their work is based on evidence and, once they have the evidence, they are not afraid to tell it like it is.
DR. LIZ DAVID-BARRETT
Director of Sussex Centre for the Study of Corruption
2004
ANTI-CORRUPTION ACT IS INTRODUCED Bangladesh
In 2004 TI Bangladesh campaigning came to fruition with the enactment of the Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Act that also included an Anti-Corruption Commission. This Commission has filed cases against
prominent individuals, including former Prime Ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina.
2006
THE UNCAC COALITION IS ESTABLISHED Worldwide The UNCAC Coalition is a global network of more than 350 civil society organisations in over 100 countries, committed to promoting the ratification, implementation and monitoring of the UNCAC. It was established in August 2006 and is governed by a Coordination
Committee and the secretariat is provided by TI. The UNCAC Coalition mobilises civil society action for UNCAC at international, regional and national levels.
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Our work with TI-UK has been particularly exciting as together we are gradually making the UK a less friendly place for corrupt oligarchs, dictators and other crooks to set up their front companies, bank their loot, go shopping or buy their mansions. There’s a long way to go, but we look forward to going there with our friends at TI. PATRICK ALLEY Co-Founder Global Witness
2007
THE ‘BIENS MAL ACQUIS’ CASE IS FILED Paris After ten years of intense judicial struggle, the first historic ‘ill-gotten goods’ case was held in Paris, France from 19th June 2007 to 5th July 2017. The VicePresident of Equatorial Guinea, was convicted of corruption. This is the first
time that a senior foreign leader in office was convicted in France for such crimes. The campaign was led by TI France, who worked with a number of other organisations and individuals to pursue this conviction.
2009
FIRST TI-UK ANNUAL LECTURE IS HELD London In December 2009 Lord Robertson became TI-UK’s first ever annual lecturer, that has since seen distinguished speakers such as the former Prime Minister David Cameron, MP’s Margaret Hodge and Clare Short, and the
Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. Every year hundreds of individuals from the public, as well as civil society, government and business gather in London for an evening of discussion on the continued fight against corruption.
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While we are still learning about the more complex aspects of it (corruption), we do have a greater understanding of the dynamics around corrupt conduct. Transparency International, and the UK chapter in particular, contributed significantly to these developments. Congratulations on 25 years. JANE ELLIS
Director, Good Corporation
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TI-UK has a great track record in helping government reach more ambitious anti-corruption outcomes than it might if left to its own devices. Keeping the government’s feet to the fire is an important part of the TI role and I was very glad to have my toes singed. DOMINIC MARTIN
Former UK Ambassador to the OECD
2010
THE BRIBERY ACT CRIMINALISES BRIBERY IN THE UK London
The Bribery Act (2010) was introduced to enhance the UK law on bribery, including foreign bribery, in order to fulfil the UK’s obligations under the 1997 OECD AntiBribery Convention.
The Bribery Act (2010) came into law following a ten-year campaign by Transparency International UK.
2015
PROZORRO IS LAUNCHED Ukraine
In 2015, TI Ukraine launched ProZorro – a government e-procurement system created through a partnership between business, government and the civil society. It is a fully online public
procurement platform and a collaboration environment that ensures open access to public procurement (tenders) in Ukraine.
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During my time as General Counsel at the Serious Fraud Office and later in private practice, I have found Transparency International’s analysis of matters concerning the UK Bribery Act to be of the greatest assistance VIVIAN ROBINSON QC
Former General Counsel Serious Fraud Office
2015
UNCAC IS ENACTED AS A FORMAL LAW Taiwan Despite not being a UN member, TI’s Taiwan chapter successfully campaigned to enact UNCAC in the country, and continues to work to amend other legislation. In 2018 staff from the chapter
were invited to conduct a decade long study into the public perception of government integrity in Taiwan.
2015
TI’S HEALTH INITIATIVE IS ESTABLISHED London In 2015, TI’s global Health Initiative was established, in London, with a vision of a world reducing corruption leads to improved global health and healthcare outcomes.
The initiative takes up the challenge of understanding, identifying and combating corruption in a sector where corruption can mean life or death.
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We have had a fruitful collaboration with Transparency International for many years and will continue to work together to improve transparency and accountability in the health system to ensure everyone has an equal right to a healthy and fulfilling life. MARIÂNGELA SIMÃO
Assistant Director-General, Drug Access, Vaccines and Pharmaceuticals World Health Organisation
2015
CORRUPTION IS RECOGNISED IN UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS New York In 2015 the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals were established, with Goal 16 explicitly recognising the importance of combating corruption to achieving real sustainable development. Transparency International campaigned for this following its omission from
the original Millennium Development Goals and has since been measuring the progress of a number of states in reaching this goal.
2016
UK GOVERNMENT HOSTS GLOBAL ANTI-CORRUPTION SUMMIT London On 12th May 2016, the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, hosted the Anti-Corruption Summit to step up global action to expose, punish and drive out corruption in all walks of life. Forty-three countries from all global regions came to London and signed the Global Declaration against Corruption and made 648 country-specific Summit
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commitments. TI-UK was a driving force of this summit working closely with government and civil society to feed into the agenda, provide expert support and involving TI chapters around the world. Subsequently TI-UK has been tracking progress of governments on the pledges they made at this summit.
Your impact is extraordinary given your size and the nature of the problem you are tackling. I witnessed that first-hand as Prime Minister, at the receiving end of your advocacy. DAVID CAMERON
Former UK Prime Minister
2017
THE UK ANTI-CORRUPTION STRATEGY 2017 IS INTRODUCED London
After years of TI-UK campaigning and working closely with successive governments, the UK finally launched its Anti-Corruption Strategy. TI had been calling for a strategy that sets out the Government’s response and long term plan to deal with corruption here
in the UK, and internationally, as well as the UK’s role as a safe haven for the proceeds of corruption from around the world – and in this regard gave a qualified welcome to the strategy, whilst urging for more action.
2017
HIGH LEVEL COMMITTEE IS ESTABLISHED IN UKRAINE TO TACKLE DEFENCE CORRUPTION Ukraine In 2017 TI’s global Defence and Security Programme and TI-Ukraine came together to establish the Independent Defence Anti-Corruption Committee (NAKO), to fight corruption in Ukraine’s defence sector. This initiative builds on the success of the Monitoring and Evaluation Committee in
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Afghanistan, the Civil Society Defence Reform Platform in Palestine, and the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala. Following work by NAKO on reform of the state defence conglomerate, Ukroboronprom, an independent international audit was announced in an unprecedented move.
Transparency International as a campaign has been exemplary in working across party lines in the UK to advance the fight against corruption - strong in analysis, quick to respond to media requests and capable of winning unexpected allies in the UK parliament. PATRICK WINTOUR Diplomatic Editor The Guardian
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Transparency International are fantastic to work with. We would not have been able to get our recent amendment without their brilliant investigative work and persuasive material.
RT HON DAME MARGARET HODGE, DBE, MP
Member of Parliament
2018
UNEXPLAINED WEALTH ORDERS ARE PUT INTO USE London The Criminal Finances Act, which received Royal Assent in April 2017, introduced new measures to tackle asset recovery and money laundering in the UK. A key element of the Act is Unexplained Wealth Orders (UWOs) – an investigative tool to help law enforcement
act on corrupt assets, with their first use coming in 2018. TI-UK recommended the use of these powers in 2015, after convening a taskforce on tackling illicit wealth. Throughout the process TI-UK’s advocacy drove the introduction of these powers that are now in full use.
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Transparency International has been an invaluable resource for me as a reporter in covering the issue of dirty money flows into London - its work on how illicit wealth skewed the London property market and its campaign for the introduction of Unexplained Wealth Orders have been timely, important and impressive. SEAN O’NEILL
Chief Reporter The Times
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Professional, objective, well-informed, focused and insistent, but always a candid yet constructive friend and supporter of the SFO’s independence SIR DAVID GREEN
Former Director, Serious Fraud Office
2019 AND BEYOND.
In just 25 years Transparency International has changed the face of corruption all over the world. We have worked for global recognition of the problem, helped bring about solutions and made the lives of some of the most corrupt people a little less comfortable. But of course we still have a long way to go. Looking back, we have learned one thing more than anything else – your help is critical to fighting corruption. As we embark on the next 25 years we are calling on you to continue to stand with us and fight for our vision – a world without corruption.
HOW WILL YOU HELP US FIGHT CORRUPTION?
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No country can ignore its reputation for corruption. That means no country can ignore Transparency International. THE ECONOMIST