Democracy and Human Rights Under Siege: Tackling Corruption's Darkest Side

The corrupts’ ambitions have a profound impact on human rights and the health of democratic regimes. We are witnessing, at alarming rate, new kleptocracies and captured states, all of which often result in more crimes against humanity. With dozens of elections taking place around the world during 2023, 2024 and 2025, each state can either walk the stairway to heaven or face a highway to hell. How can our movement, along with countless leaders of integrity, best protect the fundamental rights and dignity of billions around the world?

• The Imperative of Inclusion: Marginalized Communities in The Fight against Corruption (Ws 2.7)

  Acknowledging the intrinsic link between discrimination and corruption, this workshop will feature unique insights into the ways corruption disrupts marginalized communities, including young people, women, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ communities, from accessing services, seeking justice, and exercising their political and civil rights.

  Coordinated by Outright International

  Featuring Equal Rights Trust, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), Justice Without Frontiers Lebanon, Civic Educators' Association of Ukraine and Outright International

• Reversing State Capture: Lessons from Around The World (Ws 5.7)

  While there is some consensus on the basic features of national systems resistant to corruption and the traits of high-level large-scale corruption are known, an understanding of how to reverse state capture is insufficient. Examples from Asia, Latin America, Europe and Africa, where new governments and anti-corruption activists have scored some successes, will connect different actors in the search for solutions.

  Coordinated by Warsaw School of Economics

  Featuring Transparency International Secretariat (TI–S), Vérité Research Sri Lanka, Presidential Open and Electronic Government Commission, Former Director at European Commission and Open Secrets

• Investigating Political Candidates to Strengthen Election Integrity (Ws 8.7)

  What are the best tools and strategies to expose political candidates’ real backgrounds and connections? This interactive circle showcases the work of investigative reporters and activist organisations from the US, Germany, Mexico and Guatemala.

  We will show, for example, what anyone could have discovered about the infamous US Congressman George Santos before he fooled voters into electing him.

  Coordinated by Seek Initiative

  Featuring Acción Ciudadana (TI - Guatemala), Seek Initiative, Sunlight Search, Correctiv and Transparencia Mexicana (TI - Mexico)

• Transparency by Design: Facilitating “The Fight against Corruption” with Behavioural Science (Ws 7.8)

  We will discuss how a new approach to anti-corruption can create change within institutions based on a structured promotion of values and social norms and, subsequently, the creation of long-standing practices that ensure sustainable behavioural change. We will present the latest research in behavioural sciences and offer examples of successful behavioural transparency initiatives from across the world.

  Coordinated by Transparency School and Transparency International Lithuania (TI – Lithuania)

  Featuring Transparency School, Transparency International Lithuania (TI – Lithuania), London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Paris Institute for Advanced Study, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Basel Institute on Governance

• Unlocking the Power of Strategic Litigation (Ws 6.7)

  Join our workshop to explore the critical role of victims in combating corruption. We aim to transcend casuistic methods and establish legal rights for victim representation and compensation, advancing anti-corruption efforts while unifying human rights and anti-corruption agendas.

  Coordinated by Transparency International France (TI - France)

  Featuring Association for the Implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC Coalition), Brainforest, Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom and National Financial Public Prosecutor Office in Paris

• Mainstreaming Anti-Corruption across Policies, Portfolios and Sectors; Good Practice and Challenges (Ws 4.7)

  The aim is to discuss the importance of mainstreaming anti-corruption and putting on anti-corruption lenses in everything we do. The objective is to show different work and avenues governments, multilaterals and organisations are working on to incorporate a strong anti-corruption perspective. This holistic thinking is also about efficiency and achieving results.

  Coordinated by European Commission (EC)

  Featuring Directorate-General International Partnership (INTPA), Directorate-General Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (NEAR), Swedish International Development and Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and World Health Organization (WHO)

• Media's Role in Defending Democracy and Human Rights against Corruption in Africa (Ws 6.8)

  Africa faces a multifaceted challenge in combating corruption, with implications affecting democracy and human rights. Recent coups and conflicts in the Sahel underscore the urgency of addressing corruption as a root cause of instability. In this workshop, we aim to foster knowledge-sharing among stakeholders to develop holistic approaches to promoting peace, stability, and democracy in Africa.

  Coordinated by Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development

  Featuring Dubawa Ghana, Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), Johns Hopkins University and The Associated Press

• How to Snatch Back The Corruption Narrative from Political Agendas and Misinformation (Ws 3.7)

  Journalists from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Nigeria will share their investigative and data journalism experiences and target solutions for attacks and misinformation campaigns.

  Coordinated by Transparency International Brazil (TI - Brazil)

  Featuring Brazilian Association of Investigative Journalism (ABRAJI), Cuestion Publica, Dataphyte and Investigative reporters from Brazil and Ecuador

• Elections in The Digital Era: Threats and Opportunities for Democracy

  In 2024, more than half the world will head to the elections, facing new challenges caused by the sharp development of technologies. The workshop addresses strategies to combat threats like AI misuse, bot attacks, and spreading misinformation on social media that could compromise the integrity of political campaigns. We’ll also spotlight how digital tools can enhance election transparency.

  Coordinated by The CHESNO Movement

  Featuring The CHESNO Movement, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), Meta and Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau Latvia

• Corruption, Debt, and Underdevelopment: The Urgent Need for Democratic Oversight

  Corruption is simultaneously a cause and a consequence of undemocratically contracted debt. Co-organized by Transparency International (TI), National Democratic Institute (NDI), Chandler Foundation and Open Government Partnership (OGP), the session will discuss the impact of opaque debt on integrity norms and identify specific ways to improve debt transparency and mitigate the risk of corruption. It will explore the new Debt Transparency Checklist’s civil society and parliamentary uses.

  Coordinated by Transparency International Secretariat |(TI-S)

  Featuring National Democratic Institute (NDI), International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) Council, World Bank, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (DANIDA) and Transparency International Secretariat |(TI-S)

• Civil Society and Government Acting in Partnership for Transparency and Anti-Corruption

  If corruption thrives in the shadows, sunlight can be the best weapon against it. In this workshop, representatives from the U.S.A, Kenya, and Spain governments, together with the Accountability Lab and the Open Government Partnership (OGP), will consider the role that OGP and its civil society-oriented processes can play in helping governments become more open, transparent, and accountable.

  Coordinated by U.S. Department. of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, & Labor

  Featuring Open Government Partnership (OGP), Government of Spain, Government of Kenya and Accountability Lab

• Strengthening the UNCAC's Monitoring Mechanism to Increase Accountability & Promote Civic Space (Ws. 1.7)

  International commitments like the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) promote human rights and accountability. However, the UNCAC’s Implementation Review Mechanism (IRM) lags behind others in transparency, inclusiveness and follow-up. This session aims to develop concrete recommendations to influence decisions on the IRM’s next phase, with States aiming to reach a decision at CoSP11 in 2025.

  Coordinated by Association for the Implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC Coalition)

  Featuring Association for the Implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC Coalition), Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and Center for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch

• Anti-Corruption: The New Burden of Proof to Deep Sea Exploitation (Ws. 11.7)

  In this workshop, we want to delve into the crucial intersection of anti-corruption efforts and global governance, particularly in the realm of deep-sea mining. We’ll navigate the turbulent waters of corruption risks in awarding mining licenses, shining a spotlight on the dangers posed when unethical practices infiltrate this vital industry. Our main objective is to chart a course towards a more transparent and ethical future, by weaving anti-corruption measures into the precautionary principle to illuminate a pathway towards responsible deep-sea mining operations. This isn’t just about compliance; it’s about safeguarding our oceans and fostering a culture of integrity in every activity that affects our environment.

  Coordinated by Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM)

  Featuring Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM), Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM)