Leaders must be visibly committed to reform to create meaningful and lasting reform. Leaders must be strong role models for ethical behaviour. They must be able to successfully persuade officers, officials, and the public that change is necessary, build the energy for reform with other leaders, and spread knowledge about corruption through education and training. Leaders must create and stick to a reform plan, and be open to third parties like defence companies and civil society.
 
Transparency International's Defence and Security Programme (TI-DSP) has worked with officers and officials from more than 50 countries. We have found that by actively engaging with leaders, we can encourage them to adopt measures to prevent and counter corruption, and support reform by providing knowledge, experience, and practical tools.

TI-DSP engages with leaders in several ways:

• Leadership Workshops & Leaders’ Days

• Roundtables

• Education and Training

A counter-corruption example: Roundtable in Croatia

Transparency International Croatia hosted a roundtable meeting in February 2007 on the topic of 'curbing corruption in defence procurement.' This came about in response to a major upcoming armoured vehicles procurement. The event was held under the patronage of the President and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and speakers included members of Transparency International Croatia, TI-DSP, the Defence Affairs Advisor to the President of Croatia, and the Director of Ethics and Business Conduct at Lockheed Martin. The event led to increased awareness of corruption issues among both officials and the public, and resulted in appeals for greater scrutiny of procurement.

Read more on       Our Work with the Government & Armed Forces.

Read more on Our Work.

Leadership Workshops & Leaders’ Days

TI-DSP facilitates full-day Leaders’ Days, which bring civil and military leaders together to share views and exchange ideas. TI-DSP’s defence experts have also conducted a number of workshops with defence procurement officials and TI national chapters to highlight corruption vulnerabilities and discuss tools and solutions. These events help leadership develop a common understanding of corruption and the risks their countries face. They give confidence that the subject can be openly discussed and tackled successfully. These events give a major signal that corruption matters and will be tackled—honest discussion of these issues helps generate a remarkable energy for change. Once the top person in the room has made it clear that it is acceptable to discuss corruption openly, it opens up many opportunities for dialogue and reform.

Our team suggests a specific process for Leadership Days, which we generally facilitate in coordination with a national sponsor. Details are available in our Handbook, Building Integrity and Countering Corruption in Defence and Security: 20 Practical Reforms.

Roundtables

These are generally half-day events that include senior defence ministry or Presidency officials, procurement officials, Members of Parliament, Ambassadors, defence companies and the media. Upcoming major procurements or current defence scandals often create the impetus to organise a roundtable to discuss the issue of corruption in the defence sector generally. National Transparency International chapters may host these events, with the defence and security team providing the core expertise.

Education and Training

TI DSP’s Defence Leadership in Building Integrity course aims to strengthen the foundation for leadership, integrity, good governance and change management for defence and security leaders around the world. Since 2008 the course has been successfully run thirteen times in 5 countries, and has included over 250 participants from 22 nations.

Our team welcomes engagement with leaders in defence and security establishments around the world. Please contact us if you are interested in working with us.