International Anti-Corruption Day 2022:
On December 9, people all over the world observe International Anti-Corruption Day. The major goal of observing this day is to raise awareness of the need for a society free from corruption. Everyone is aware that corruption has an impact on all facets of society. In order to fight and avoid corruption, we must reaffirm our commitment to working together. A day like this is intended to raise awareness of the negative effects of corruption and to inspire people to live moral lives.
Ending corruption would imply working towards establishing a better world, supporting equality as well as striving towards sustainable development goals.
International Anti-Corruption Day: Theme
This year, the subject for International Anti-Corruption Day is “Uniting the globe against corruption. The official statement reads: Fighting this crime is the right and responsibility of everyone, and is based on the belief that only with the cooperation and participation of all individuals and organizations can we overcome the devastating consequences of this crime. States, government officials, civil servants, law enforcement officers, media personnel, the commercial sector, civil society, academia, the general public and young people all have a role to play in uniting the world against corruption.”
History
On October 31, 2003, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention Against Corruption as a first step towards combating corruption. Furthermore, to raise public awareness of corruption and the role the Convention plays in combating and preventing corruption, the General Assembly has declared 9 December as World Anti-Corruption Day.Dec. 2005 saw the convention go into effect.
Significance
Every person, including organisations, makes a commitment to abstain from all forms of corruption on this day. While battling corruption can be hard, it isn’t impossible if everyone decides to backout and refuse to engage in corruption. Any act of bribery or abuse of public office that serves a self-serving purpose is wrong. By saying no to corruption, we can assist create more employment opportunities, establish gender equality and secure wider access to key services. Above all, we can create an equitable system for all.
The United Nations observes International Anti-Corruption Day, which promotes a global campaign against corruption with the 2030 sustainable development goal at its centre.
The primary goal here is to eradicate corruption in order to pave the road for a thriving society everywhere. Numerous events, including conferences, talks, and plays, are held by the UN and its individual member nations with the goal of combating corruption.
What is Corruption?
According to the UN, corruption is a severe crime that can impede the growth of all societies’ social and economic systems. No nation, area, or neighbourhood is impervious to corruption. It is present throughout the world and can be classified as political, social, or economic. It poses a danger to and undermines democratic institutions, contributes to governmental instability, and impedes economic growth.
In plain English, we might define corruption as dishonest or fraudulent behaviour by persons in positions of authority, usually involving bribery, or corruption as the abuse of authority for personal benefit, which can take many different forms. It erodes society’s foundation. It robs people of their freedom, health, wealth, and occasionally even their lives. Someone has properly said that “Corruption is a sweet poison”.
