Anti-Corruption Tools
Training
As explained in What is corruption, GIACC uses the term "corruption" in the wider sense to include bribery, extortion, fraud, deception, collusion, cartels, abuse of power, embezzlement, trading in influence and money laundering. Consequently, the discussion in this section applies to all such criminal activity.
The need for anti-corruption training
There are many different circumstances in which corruption may impact on an organisation.
- A corrupt act may be undertaken against the organisation by an employee or business partner. In this case, the organisation may suffer financial loss, and/or may receive works, equipment or materials of sub-standard quality. For example, a sub-contractor may pay bribes to the tendering manager of the organisation in return for the award of a sub-contract at inflated prices, or a project owner may fraudulently refuse to pay the organisation.
- A corrupt act may be undertaken by or on behalf of the organisation against a third party. While the act may be taken allegedly for the benefit of the organisation (e.g. to win a contract, or to gain additional payment on a contract claim), the organisation may suffer criminal and civil liability, financial loss, debarment and reputational risk if the corruption is uncovered. The individuals involved face fines or imprisonment. For example, the organisation may pay a bribe through an agent to a government official in order to win a contract; or the organisation may unlawfully inflate the value of a contract claim. On some occasions, these acts may be taken with the express or implied approval of the organisation's senior management. On other occasions, they may be taken without the knowledge or consent of senior management. On some occasions, the act may have been undertaken because the parties involved did not realise that the act constituted a criminal offence.
The organisation's staff and representatives that have responsibility for or involvement in tendering, project management, financial management, claims, certification and/or payment should be able to identify corruption and be aware of the risks of corruption. Not only are these persons a vital line of defence against corruption, they are also vulnerable to corruption.
In order to limit the above risks, organisations should ensure that their officers and employees receive proper anti-corruption training. One of the most powerful anti-corruption tools an organisation can have is well-trained employees who are alert to the dangers of corruption, and who can identify warning signs at an early stage.
Training should cover the following subjects
- the types of corruption (e.g. bribery, fraud, cartels);
- the reasons why corruption should be avoided;
- the applicable laws and penalties for corruption offences in both the organisation's home jurisdiction and in the jurisdictions where it conducts business;
- the organisation’s anti-corruption programme;
- the organisation’s policy on donations, gifts, hospitality;
- the organisation's policy on facilitation payments;
- detailed examples of the type of conduct which would constitute a
breach of the law and/or the organisation’s anti-corruption code;
- guidance on “red flags” which would warn the employee about likely
corrupt conduct;
- guidance on what to do when confronted with corruption;
- the organisation’s reporting procedures for employees;
- the organisation's investigatory and disciplinary procedures.
Training should be provided on a regular basis. All relevant employees could be required to undertake an on-line training module. Employees could also be required to attend training workshops at which they can discuss corruption issues in person. A member of staff should be appointed who can advise employees on possible corruption issues which arise during the course of the organisation's business.
GIACC: Anti-Corruption Training Resources and Services
GIACC provides the following anti-corruption training resources and services:
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free on-line anti-corruption training module
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free anti-corruption training manual
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anti-corruption training workshops
For further information on these see: GIACC training
Other Resources
If you have published guidance which is relevant to the above recommendations, and if you are willing to provide a link to your website, please send details to GIACC for listing on this page. Only services and tools which are available free of charge will be listed.
ACET - Global Anti-Corruption Education and Training initiative has published “Ethicana” which is an anti-corruption film and supporting training materials.
Page first published on 1st May 2008
Most recent update on 30th August 2011
© 2008 GIACC