Corruption in international construction
Corruption is not inevitable
Bribery and fraud are thriving, undermining aid effectiveness in many aspects of international development. It does not have to be that way. Practical and effective tools already exist to help improve transparency and accountability in the construction sector, yet these tools are not widely used. Specific support services are available for companies, clients and donors, yet the need for them is rarely appreciated. By spending a little time contributing your comments and suggestions through this web site, you can help turn the tide against corruption.
To provide or facilitate the specific services that would help curb corruption, it was proposed in 2005 that an independent international centre for transparency in construction should be established in Edinburgh. The anticipated services to be provided included:
- Support to and external verification of companies’ Anti-Corruption Procedures;
- Accreditation of Independent Assessors; and
- Maintenance of related databases
In the event, the anticipated private sector support for this initiative was not forthcoming. As a result the Ethical Edinburgh initiative is currently dormant, pending the results of a review of gaps and shortcomings in the growing array of anti-corruption services and resources that have recently become available. The most promising of these is the Global Infrastructure Anti-Corruption Centre, which is highly recommended as a source of free guidance and related resources.
GIACC
The Global Infrastructure Anti-Corruption Centre is a most welcome development, which may in time obviate the need for the Ethical Edinburgh initiative to continue. In the meantime close communication and collaboration will be maintained between the two initiatives.
Structure of site
The heart of the site is the Articles section, which addresses key questions to which feedback is encouraged. Better still, if you would like to submit an article for publication on this site, then please contact the web site manager by visiting the contact page. Case studies describing the problems associated with corruption, and/or practical ways of reducing its reach, are particularly welcome.
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Further information is provided in the Frequently Asked Questions section.
Recent news of direct current relevance is included on this home page as well as in the Articles section, where comments can be posted.