What is Corruption? Why do we fight it?
Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain.
It means that:
- Decisions are taken for private interest instead of for public benefit.
- Democratic institutions are weakened and legitimacy, public trust and support are lost.
- Instead of fair competition based on price, quality and innovation, corruption leads to competitive bribery. This harms trade and deters investments.
- The environment is threatened. When environmental protection agencies are corrupt, the very foundations of sustainable development are eroded.
- Human rights abuses flourished. As corruption increases, regimes become more secretive, and basic social and economic rights are threatened.
- Corruption makes it impossible for millions of people, especially in developing countries, to earn an honest living.
TI Fiji's Objectives
- To raise public awareness and advance the general education of the public in Fiji in matters relating to the nature and consequences of corruption in business transactions, including overseas development initiatives and existing legislations and other guidelines which exist to combat corruption.
- To promote, undertake or commission research for the public benefit in matters relating to the nature and consequences of corruption in business transactions and the cost-effectiveness of overseas developments initiatives and to disseminate the useful results of such research.
- To support and promote the charitable educational aims and objectives of Transparency International, a not-for-profit organisation under Fiji law, and in particular to assist in securing support within Fiji for Standards of Conduct designed to promote transparency and accountability in business transactions, and to cooperate with other organisations throughout the world with similar objectives.
- To provide assistance and expertise to parties involved in trade, investment and economic and social development and to assist them in ensuring compliance with existing anti-corruption legislation and Standards of Conduct established in conjunction with Transparency International in Fiji and other bodies.
- To give the legislative and public bodies and others facilities for conferring with and ascertaining the view of persons and institutions engaged in combating corruption as regards matters directly or indirectly affecting that activity.
- To arrange, provide, organize or promote alone or with others the provision conferences, lectures, seminars, meetings, courses, exhibitions, training, information and advisory services and other events and services in furtherance of the objects of the company.
- To write, make, prepare, edit and print, publish, issue and circulate, gratuitously or otherwise, reports, periodicals, books, pamphlets, leaflets, articles, films, video tapes, computer software, electronic devises, materials, for study or other documents in furtherance of or necessary for the promotion of the objects of the company, or procure any of the above acts.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is Transparency International Fiji?
Transparency International Fiji is a non-profit, non-political organization that promotes collaboration, awareness and other initiatives to improve governance and eliminate corruption from the daily lives of people.
2. How long has Transparency International Fiji been around?
Transparency International Fiji was established in Suva on March 9th, 1999 by several concerned businessmen and women. Transparency International Fiji celebrated its 10th Anniversary in 2009.
3. What type of activities does Transparency International Fiji do?
Transparency International Fiji engages in a range of anti-corruption and governance building activities, such as awareness campaigns, workshops, etc.
4. What is Transparency International?
Transparency International (TI) is a global network including more than 90 locally established National Chapters, chapters-in-formation, and national contacts. These bodies fight corruption in the national arena in a number of ways. They bring together relevant players from government, civil society, business and the media to promote transparency in elections, in public administration, in procurement and in business. TI's global network of chapters and contacts also use advocacy campaigns to lobby governments to implement anti-corruption reforms.
5. What is your connection to Transparency International?
Transparency International Fiji is a National Chapter of the worldwide Transparency International organisation.
6. How does TI achieve its aims?
TI builds national, regional and global partnerships which embrace the state, civil society and the private sector.
TI coordinates and supports national chapters (a non-governmental organisation which combines individuals and organisations from any background(s) to implement its mission).
TI assists in the design and the implementation of effective integrity systems.
TI collects, analyses and disseminates information and raises public awareness on the damaging impact of corruption (especially in low income countries) on human and economic development.
7. What makes TI different?
TI leads the international movement devoted to eliminating corruption.
TI is an international centre of expertise on fighting corruption, pooling a large number of highly professional volunteers for an integrated approach.
TI seeks to empower civil society to play a meaningful role in countering corruption
8. What are Transparency International's Guiding Principles?
TI recognises a shared responsibility of actors against corruption in all regions.
TI's emphasis is on prevention and reforming of systems not exposing individual cases.
TI recognises that the movement against corruption is global and overrides a person's social, political, economic and cultural system membership. (Membership in Fiji is open to all - Fijians, Indians, Chinese, Others, Christians, non-Christians, Taukei, non-Taukei, shopkeepers, lawyers, farmers, politicians from all parties and houses, etc.)
Within its own structures TI observes the principles of participation, decentralisation, diversity, accountability and transparency.
TI has no political persuasion - it is not biased towards or affiliated with any political party or interest group. It is open to all who are interested in fighting corruption.
TI recognises that there are strong practical as well as ethical reasons for eliminating corruption.
9. What is the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) and how does Fiji rank?
TI developed a tool in 1995, known as the Corruptions Perceptions Index (CPI); The CPI ranks 180 countries by their perceived levels of corruption, as determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys. The CPI is compiled with a score of 10, where 1 is the most corrupted and 10 being the least corrupted.
In 2005, Fiji was included in the CPI and was ranked #55 alongside Bulgaria, Colombia and Seychelles, out of 165 countries, with a score of 4 out of 10.
Fiji was not included in the 2008 CPI report.