The international community, governments, businesses and civil society have declared the fight against corruption to be of the highest priority. But even after spending billions of dollars in anti-corruption reforms, the reforms are not producing the desired results. These reforms focus on laws and institutions – overlooking the underlying social values and attitudes of a society.
Endemic corruption is deeply entrenched in most societies with codes of conduct that legitimize favoritism, nepotism and disregard for the rule of law – let’s change this.
A strong civil society is vital for tackling corruption. A strong civil society is one that upholds strong values and attitudes of public integrity. Church leaders and communities, as a vital part of civil society, have a special responsibility, and untapped potential, to cultivate an entrenched sense of public integrity as the most effective antidote to corruption.