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Corruption prevention
Corruption, © Colourbox
Corruption is a complex and covert phenomenon which in today’s interconnected world causes great material damage as well as a loss of public trust.
Corruption in government compromises the reputation of the civil service and erodes confidence in the impartiality, objectivity and integrity of public officials.
Recalling the dire global consequences of corruption, former UN Secretary‑General Ban Ki‑moon issued the following warning on the eve of the International Anti‑Corruption Day on December 9, 2016:
Corruption should no longer be seen as the regrettable price of doing business; corruption is a crime that must be rejected, from street corners to corporate boardrooms. Many billions of dollars are lost annually to corruption. Its impact – from arms smuggling and human trafficking to the trade in endangered species and the bribes that undermine governance and the rule of law – is devastating and corrosive.
The legal basis for the efforts of all federal officials to prevent corruption is the Federal Government Directive of July 30, 2004 concerning the Prevention of Corruption in the Federal Administration (Anti‑Corruption Directive).
Throughout the Federal Foreign Office (FFO) corruption prevention is an important priority. The FFO Commissioner for Corruption Prevention and her team are committed to the rigorous application of the Anti‑Corruption Directive. The FFO’s internal rules are intended to flesh out the Directive’s provisions and provide guidance for all FFO staff.
Internal contact person for the prevention of corruption at the German Embassy in Ottawa is Christin Furtwängler.