European Parliament: International Business & Leadership Symposium, Ethics in Business
Brussels | November 5-6, 2009

The International Business & Leadership Symposium is an annual event which brings together leaders from business, politics, academia, civil society and faith-based organizations to dialogue on new leadership styles that are sustainable and ensure profitability for businesses. It provides a platform for leading minds to share their experiences and expertise on the value of an ethics-based approach to deal with today’s challenges in the global markets. It also examines the impact of this approach on the bottom line.

More info: www.ccsforum.org

Fighting Corruption through Collective Action in Today’s Competitive Marketplaces,
World Bank Institute's Executive Development Program
Washington, D.C. | June 9-11, 2009

Businesses using collective action have competed successfully – without paying bribes - in sectors and geographies at high-risk for corruption. This program featured successful collective action examples and offered practical guidance for both corporate decision makers doing business in these high risk situations, and government officials responsible for policy and management of effective and corruption-free government finance.
Open to the public

More info: www.worldbank.org/wbi/edp/pastprogram.htm

Workshop: "Fighting Corruption through Collective Action: Practical Strategies for Companies”
Conference: “Business Taking a Stand in the Fight Against Corruption”
Lagos, Nigeria | March 16-18

The aim of the workshop is to equip decision makers from Africa with practical collective action tools and strategies to counter corruption in their business operations. By examining real life dilemmas and solutions implemented by businesses in high-risk environments and industries in Africa and other regions (see www.fightingcorruption.org for more information), the workshop will offer practical guidance for both, corporate decision makers doing business in these high risk situations, and NGO and donor officials responsible for policy and management of effective and corruption-free projects.

The workshop will be followed by a Conference “Business Taking a Stand in the Fight Against Corruption” on March 18 in Lagos.

The workshop and conference are organized by the UN Global Compact (UNGC), the UN Office of Drug and Crime (UNODC) and the World Bank Institute.

For more info e-mail: szeynelabidin@worldbank.org

Media coverage:

http://leadershipnigeria.com/news/117/ARTICLE/8183/2009-03-16.html

http://www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.php?area=africa&item=090316150204.kz4b7pnb.php

UK Anti-corruption Summit
London, UK | February 2-4, 2009

More than 30 expert speakers from leading corporate and government bodies will share their experience and practical knowledge. The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) and the World Bank Institute will present the new collective action tool developed jointly with other anti-corruption leaders, www.fightingcorruption.org. When it comes to contributing to the global fight against corruption, the UK has been criticized as 'lagging behind' and 'lacking political will,' according to a recent report by Transparency International. So far, there have been no corruption cases filed since the UK entered the OECD convention nearly 10 years ago. However, recent international regulatory pressure and a change in leadership at the UK’s Serious Fraud Office is likely to mean a significant change in pace. A recent study by PricewaterhouseCoopers revealed that amongst the 390 senior executives surveyed, “More than 70% believe a better understanding of corruption will help them compete more effectively, make better decisions, improve corporate social responsibility, and enter new markets.”

The UK Anti-corruption Summit will bring together over 30 expert speakers from groups such as Novartis, Tyco, BT, and BAE Systems, who will share practical experience and knowledge with over 150 professionals. Also joining these speakers will be leading authorities such as the UK Serious Fraud Office, UK Government Department of Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, and the US Department of Justice. Essential topics, such as how to set up a global compliance program, managing corruption in emerging markets, and developing an effective gift and hospitality policy, are among many that feature on the agenda – the result of months of focused research with industry experts.
Open to the public

More info: www.ethicalcorp.com/ukethics/?t=cipe1

Singapore | December 16-17, 2008

Global Business Outlook for 2009 has gathered together some of the world’s most-respected academics, commentators, journalists, and business leaders to lead a series of compelling focus group discussions to offer participants valuable insights and new solutions for their business. This conference will provide senior decisionmakers with interests in the Asia Pacific region with up-to-the-minute information and analysis on world developments and how they will impact on their business.

The World Bank Institute's Djordjija Petkoski will participate as one of the three Keynote Speakers at the conference, that is organized by Oxford Analytical and the International Herald Tribune in Singapore. Jointly with the International Business Leaders' Forum, WBI has organized a session on Corporate Responsibility: Integrity and Transparency.
Open to the public

More info: http://www.oxan.com/conferences/gbosingapore

13th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC)
Athens, Greece | October 30 – November 2, 2008

Leading practitioners and experts on sustainability, governance, and transparency will meet to discuss the role of corruption and governance in the crucial questions that will make or break a sustainable future at the 13th IACC. Representatives of civil society, government and business from around the world will engage in debates to find effective solutions for tackling corruption and limit its pervasive impact on peoples’ lives, particularly on the most vulnerable. On November 1st, in a special session on Collective Action, the BFC Portal and Guide will be presented by the World Bank, with company representatives to speak about their experiences with collective action initiatives. Open to the public

More info: http://www.13iacc.org/

Fraud World 2008
London, United Kingdom | October 28—31, 2008

The Fraud World 2008 conference will address eight streams and themes, with emphasis on strategies to combat fraud for internal auditors, fraud, investigations and security specialists. A member of the Business Fighting Corruption working group from Grant Thornton will present the new web portal and guide for Fighting Corruption through Collective Action. The Fraud World conference is the largest fraud event in Europe. Open to the public

More info:http://www.iir-events.com/IIR-conf/AuditRisk/EventView.aspx?EventID=1869

United Nations Global Compact VI Annual Local Networks Forum
Bonn, Germany | October 21—22, 2008

The UNGC Local Networks Forum will convene to seek input from Global Compact Local Networks (GCLN) representatives on key governance issues relating to Local Networks and the Global Compact initiative as a whole. Approximately 150-200 participants representing GCLN, Regional Support Centers, the private sector, government and civil society representatives will provide a unique platform for GCLN representatives to exchange experiences in addressing the challenges and opportunities faced by networks in their efforts to promote the Global Compact locally. The Collective Action Guide and Portal will be presented during the Knowledge Fair at the Forum. Open to the public

More info: http://www.fundacioforum.org/gc08/1.asp

Global Fraud Summit
Singapore | October 14—17, 2008

The Global Fraud Summit will showcase successful anti-fraud strategies used by organizations to prevent, deter and eliminate fraud. The four day event will explore strategies and practical methods for fraud prevention and recovery, with emphasis on internal controls and establishing solid anti-fraud frameworks. In a presentation on the World Fraud Situation, a member of the Business Fighting Corruption working group from Grant Thornton will present the new web portal and guide for Fighting Corruption through Collective Action. Open to the public

For priority booking, please quote priority code VHX819

More info: http://www.globalfraudsummit.com

2nd Annual European Anti-corruption Summit
The Hague, Netherlands | October 6—8, 2008

The conference will take a practical look at how to mitigate corporate corruption risk through effective ethics and compliance management, and provides an opportunity to network with and learn from peers and experts working in corruption prevention. A special session will be held on Collective Action Against Corruption: Experiences from around the world, and will focus on the nature of collective action and successful projects from around the world, focusing both on developed and developing countries. Two industry case studies from representatives of leading companies in the Pharmaceutical and Construction/Procurement industries will be presented, along with expertise on collective action and its implementation from representatives of the World Bank and the Center for International Private Enterprise. Open to the public

More info: www.ethicalcorp.com/ethicseurope/

1st CSR Mercosur Forum—Concrete Actions and Regional Integration
Buenos Aires, Argentina | September 22—24, 2008

This international conference for the Mercosur region will bring together companies, business associations, unions, research institutions, universities and business schools to exchange knowledge and expertise, and reinforce the business case for action for to implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices. The conference will draw companies which have completed the World Bank Institute’s CSR Online Course and have experience in implementing CSR programs. A presentation from the World Bank Institute will introduce the BFC Portal and Guide as a resource for collective action initiatives. Open to the public

More info (Spanish and Portuguese only): http://www.inwent.org.br/forumcsr.html

Financial Times Germany Conference on Economic Risk, Crime and Corruption
Cologne, Germany | September 17, 2008

This seminar, held by the Financial Times in Germany, will address compliance issues and risks with international experts. Key questions to be addressed include: What are the consequences of industry espionage on attacked/targeted businesses? How should a company handle external communications in a case of compliance scrutiny? What makes a good Compliance Manager? Business Fighting Corruption Working Group member Jens Berthelsen of Global Advice Network, Denmark, will present the fightingcorruption.org portal and guide. Open to the public

More info (German only): http://ftd.faktor3server.de/downloads/1213877873_ftd_prog_wk_0619_druck.pdf

Transparency International Executive Education Series
Business Workshops: Anti-Bribery Strategies for Irish Businesses
Dublin, Ireland | July 1, 2008

TI Ireland and TCD School of Business are hosting three day-long anti-bribery training workshops for business this June, September 2008 and January 2009. Each workshop will introduce participants to strategies and tools (including the Business Anti-Corruption Portal) for addressing internal and external corruption risks in global business. The workshops are led by Jens Berthelsen, Chair of the OECD’s Business and Industry Advisory Council Task Force on Export Credit. Upcoming workshops will be held on September 8, 2008 and January 6, 2009.

More info: http://www.transparency.ie/news_events/bgi2008.htm

7th General Meeting of the OECD Anti-Corruption Network (ACN) for Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Tbilisi, Georgia | June 25-27, 2008

The ACN is the regional outreach program of the OECD Working Group on Bribery, and brings together 23 countries, including the Balkans, the Baltics and the ex-soviet states, some OECD members states, international organizations and non-governmental sector. This meeting sought to meet the ACN goal of promoting anti-corruption efforts across the region, including exchange of information, elaboration of best practices and enhanced donor coordination. For the first time, the ACN included discussion of the role of business in fighting corruption and the importance of promoting business integrity as one of the priority themes of the meeting. Michael Jarvis of the World Bank Institute presented on the broad role of the private sector in addressing corruption and highlighted the new guide and web portal on "Fighting Corruption through Collective Action" as a tool that will be a useful resource for business and government alike within the region in fostering good governance initiatives. In the working group session on business integrity, Mr. Jarvis invited specific proposals for collective initiatives and debated ways in which business can limit opportunities for corruption both through internal compliance mechanisms and through advocacy and partnership with government and civil society actors.

International Chamber of Commerce - Commercial Crime Services
Annual Economic Crime Conference
London, UK | June 19, 2008

Bidding to get companies thinking about corruption and putting effective anti-corruption plans in place, the 2008 CCS Annual Economic Crime Lecture entitled Corporate Corruption: Challenges in a changing world went straight to the heart of the issue by looking at the challenges companies face in a changing world where, for instance, many of the practices that are illegal today were not just five years ago. Visitors were given some practical advice with the UK launch of a new guide ‘Fighting Corruption Through Collective Action’, which promises to provide a very useful toolkit for companies wanting to be pro-active on corruption but needing assistance. Created by Transparency International, United Nations Global Compact, World Bank Institute, Centre for International Private Enterprise, Global Advice Networks, and leading accountants Grant Thornton and Siemens, it outlines a proven method to fight corruption via joint action between business and other stakeholders, and its launch was accompanied by a live web portal demonstration.

More info: www.icc-ccs.org/main/news.php?newsid=110

Panel Discussion: Fighting Corruption through Collective Action
World Bank Headquarters
Washington, D.C. | June 11, 2008

Distinguished panelists debated the challenges of designing and implementing effective collective action initiatives at this two hour session at the World Bank, which explored the role that the World Bank Group and its partners can play in promoting and facilitating such initiatives. During the session, the World Bank Institute and partners also previewed the new guide and accompanying web portal "Fighting Corruption Through Collective Action--Resources for Business" which was developed with a business-oriented group of organizations from the private and civil sectors.

Global Compact Working Group on Anti-Corruption
Vienna, Austria | June 5-6, 2008

On June 5-6 2008, the third meeting of the Global Compact Working Group on the 10th Principle convened at the United Nations Office at Vienna. Co-convened by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Global Compact Office, the meeting brought together Global Compact business participants from 13 countries with representatives of civil society, labor, business associations, Global Compact Local Networks, and international organizations. The Working Group discussed implementation and reporting challenges related to the 10th principle and identified a set of concrete ideas to provide practical guidance to companies. Participants further stressed the importance of reviewing and better promoting existing tools, sharing lessons learned, improving and implementing reporting mechanisms, and creating practical incentives for business engagement.

More info: http://www.unglobalcompact.org/NewsAndEvents/news_archives/2008_06_10.html

International Consortium on Governmental Financial Management
Miami, Florida | May 20, 2008

Business Fighting Corruption Initiative Discussed with International Group. The World Bank Institute’s Djordjija Petkoski led a presentation and discussion on the BFC Initiative before a conference of the International Consortium on Governmental Financial Management in Miami, Florida, on May 20. More than 50 countries were represented among the registrants of this annual conference that brings together senior government officials, NGOs, the private sector, and others who focus on issues related to public sector financial management. The almost two-hour discussion was lively with a focus on the role of government in collective action and anti-corruption efforts. Also part of the discussion was John Sullivan of CIPE, David Nummy of Grant Thornton, and Eugenio Marulanda Gomez of the Columbian Confederation of Chambers of Commerce.