A GLOBAL anti-corruption campaign was launched on Thursday of
last week to tackle the "devastating consequences" of illicit
practices in financial and political systems.
The 12-month campaign by Exposed, an international coalition of
Christian organisations which includes the Bible Society, the
Salvation Army, and Micah Challenge International, began with an
event at Central Hall, Westminster. Faith leaders called on
members of communities across the world to "shine a light on
corruption".
An online petition that seeks 100 million signatures has been
launched, and, during the next 12 months, individuals, the
Government, businesses, and Churches will all be challenged to
take steps to root out corruption. A vigil against corruption will
take place in one year's time, and the petition will be handed to
the G20 gathering in Australia in 2014.
The campaign chairman and International Director of Micah
Challenge, the Revd Joel Edwards, said: "This current economic
crisis means that greed, the excesses of corporate cultures,
dishonesty, and unaccountable behaviour have touched us where it
hurts. Exposed is here to join an increasing chorus of concern
which says 'enough is enough'. It is an opportunity for the Church
to do what we are called to do: raise our voice in holy outrage and
provide practical offerings of hope."
Three thousand churches signed up to take part in the event
organised by Micah Challenge, "Light For My Feet", which took
place on Sunday. Prayer, sermons, and activities were used to
explore biblical passages about poverty and corruption.
A report published by the campaign group Global Financial
Integrity in December 2011 suggests that "illicit financial flows"
from developing countries in 2009 totalled $903 billion. In 2004,
the World Bank estimated that $1 trillion is paid in bribes every
year.
The organisation, which provided 13.4 per cent of its lending to
help countries "improve the performance and accountability of their
core public-sector institutions and rule of law" in the first two
quarters of 2012, launched a revised strategy on governance and
anti-corruption this year.
More than 150 states have signed the UN Convention Against
Corruption, but Tearfund has warned that many states are "simply
ignoring" their commitments.
www.exposed2013.com/