The easiest ways to eliminate corruption (How to fight corruption?)

As the global economy expanded dramatically during the twentieth century, so did the levels of corruption. It is difficult to estimate the size and extent of corruption that is occurring in the world because such activities are carried out in secret.

The World Bank estimates that international bribery exceeds $ 1.5 trillion annually, or 2% of global GDP, and ten times more than total global aid money, and there are other estimates that estimate corruption to reach 2-5% of global GDP.

If this does not affect you personally, it may have affected your relatives or at least someone you know.

What is corruption?

Corruption is the misuse of public power to achieve private profits, and this clearly includes all types of bribes from local, national, or political officials, but it excludes bribes that occur between the private sector, but the term corruption has many meanings, and in the broadest terms it can be said that corruption is bad Using the position for personal ends, including bribery and extortion, and in this case two or more parties enter into the process.

Corruption may be individual in the case of prohibited actions that the official can carry out on his own, including fraud, embezzlement, favoritism, and abuse of influence ... etc. Accordingly, corruption includes, in terms of its appearance, several types, including political, financial and administrative types.

The impact of corruption?

Corruption affects everyone, especially the low-income and vulnerable populations. Corruption is a waste of scarce resources, especially in developing countries. From a development perspective, corruption disrupts the opportunities for productive investment accumulation in human and material assets and strengthens the values ​​and behavior of quick profit.

As the phenomenon of corruption is the biggest obstacle to economic and social development, it harms societies through:

• Demolishing democracy and undermining human rights, by weakening governments.

• Transferring funds from essential public services such as health care, education and sanitation.

• Corruption does not encourage foreign investment, and this deprives many of those who wish to work and does not give a sufficient number of jobs.

All of these negative points are not the only reason to feel anxious, despite all of this Corrupt officials divert money from public services such as health care and education to projects that will fill their pockets.

The issue of combating corruption is not a matter of a body that can be done easily and quickly. Rather, it requires a lot of work, and immediate results cannot be achieved. Rather, a long-term strategy must be developed that allows for a systematic and gradual confrontation of this problem and must have the support of the public authorities, the private sector and in general Citizens.

There are many countries that have anti-corruption laws, but the latter may not have the necessary resources to monitor these laws and enforce them with their paws. Here today you can help you with what we will help you with.

You can make a difference

In most cases, powerful people are the ones who benefit from bribes or they are the ones who conclude suspicious deals, and this reduces the determination and enthusiasm of honest citizens who have few sources of income, but with modern technologies, you will not need much effort, power or money to fight this corruption . For example, as a couple did in India, where they created an anti-corruption website, where people could report cases in which they were asked to deal with bribery.

Transparency International proposes these ideas in its anti-corruption program:

• Establishing a committee to count and monitor general supplies, such as school equipment and books, medicines and contracted deals.

• Coordinating and organizing sporting events and events in which the community can participate to raise awareness of corruption.

• Create petitions and submit them to the concerned authorities - decision makers.

• Publicly exposing corrupt practices in the field of public procurement.

Nowadays, thanks to modern technology, you will not need a lot of money or power to shed light, expose and participate in curbing corruption. For example, you can use social media and websites to obtain detailed collective reports on corruption, even without revealing your identity.

Web and mobile applications related to government spending and general statistics can also help you understand a lot of things, including the wages of officials ...

These types of data can be used to participate in holding corrupt officials accountable, so perhaps from here you start changing and reforming.

Transparency International offers more simple ideas that enable you to make a difference in your community.

Finally, December 9th is International Anti-Corruption Day. Say "no" to corruption. Participate, fight and learn more than you can to support transparency.