IACC Series > IACC 2026 > Theme, Rationale, and Thematic Tracks > Protecting People of Integrity: Standing with the Frontliners
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Protecting People of Integrity: Standing with the Frontliners

Whistleblowers, investigative journalists, women leaders, indigenous defenders, and countless others increasingly suffer violence, intimidation, silencing, or murder. They fight with the courage and power of integrity, often standing alone against overwhelming odds. Impunity for those responsible has become the rule, not the exception.

This track seeks to honour, protect, and support these defenders of integrity. We will reflect on lessons from past efforts, and craft new alliances and tools to ensure that defenders are not isolated but instead backed by an even stronger global movement determined to keep them safe.

Welcome! Below you will find the list of workshop sessions currently planned for this thematic track at #IACC2026. Full session details and the complete conference agenda will be available soon. As the programme continues to be refined, sessions may be updated or adjusted. Stay tuned for updates.

Workshops

  • Inclusive Action to Combat Corruption - Centering Marginalized Voices as Integrity Defenders

    Successful anti-corruption movements mobilize people of all identities, ensuring everyone has a voice. In this workshop, integrity defenders from Albania, Guatemala, Indonesia, and Lebanon will share experiences and strategies to create and sustain collective action that centers and protects vulnerable communities and frontline advocates as they corruption and access justice and accountability.

    International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)

    International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), Albania Helsinki Committee (AHC), Justice Without Frontiers-Lebanon, Indonesia Corruption Watch, Accion Ciudadana Guatemala (Transparency International - Guatemala)

  • Environmental and Climate Whistleblowers in an Age of Crisis

    Through frontline stories, whistleblowers who exposed corruption driving environmental crime and harm will highlight their vital role in protecting people and the planet for future generations — often at great personal risk. The session will also explore how they can be better supported and protected.

    Climate Whistleblowers

    Climate Whistleblowers, PPLAAF, Government Accountability Project, Wildlife Justice Commission and a whistleblower

  • Silencing Integrity: The Hidden Infrastructure of Corruption

    High-profile cases such as the Jeffrey Epstein files reveal how abuse is sustained by wealth, political protection, and institutional complicity. Yet public debate often reduces them to sexual scandal or moral panic, obscuring their corruption and governance dimensions. The same dynamics operate within corporations, governments, and NGOs: those who challenge misconduct are isolated, discredited, or harassed. This workshop centers people and frontline integrity actors, recognizing institutional harassment as a form of corruption.

    Presbyterian University

    UN Global Compact, Presbyterian University, Pontifical Catholic University of Paran, Inter-American Development Bank, African Women Against Corruption Network (AWACN) and Schneider Electric

  • Silence Is Expensive: How Whistle-blowers can expose Tax Corruption

    Tax corruption thrives in silence across both public and private sectors undermining public revenue, trust, and fair economic governance. Weak reporting and protection systems deter insiders, from companies and administrations, from exposing tax fraud. This workshop examines how aligned whistle-blower protection, corporate reporting channels, and voluntary disclosures can disrupt tax corruption.

    Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network)

    Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network), United Nations (UN), His Majesty’s Revenue and customs (HMRC, UK), Graymatter Forensic Advisory, Supreme Council of Economic Affairs and Investment of Qatar and Transparency International - Brasil

  • Safeguarding Civic Space as a Foundation for Effective Anti-Corruption

    Anti-corruption measures are essential to good governance—but when poorly designed or misapplied, they can restrict civic space. This workshop will examine the relationship between anti-corruption measures and civil society, exploring how civic space is key to fighting corruption and must be safeguarded by anti-corruption measures to avoid unintentionally undercutting anti-corruption efforts.

    International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL)

    International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL), European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL), Transparency International - El Salvador, Transparency International - Secretariat and United Nations (UN)

  • Rewriting the Rules: Global South Solutions for Real Whistleblower Protection

    Whistleblower protection has long been treated as a universal legal problem with universal solutions. But Western models assume rule of law, functioning institutions, and public trust – conditions that often do not exist across the Global South. This mismatch makes imported frameworks not just ineffective, but dangerous. Local realities are therefore demanding grounded protection frameworks.

    PPLAAF

    PPLAAF, Transparency International - Secretariat, Former Chief Justice (South Africa) and Mexico's National Anti-Corruption System

  • When governments and oligarchs are after you: How to protect your staff from legal bullying

    The session will equip participants with practical skills to leverage innovative legal strategies against SLAPP suits, defamation claims, foreign agent laws, and other tactics hampering anti-corruption work. The session will also highlight best practices for whistleblowers in the face of legal threats and provide guidance where media exposure can trigger investigative or reputational risks.

    International Lawyers Project

    International Lawyers Project and Ropes & Gray

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