Integrity as a vaccine against corruption
Corruption is a well-known term in our country. Among those who know this term, I subdivide them into three groups: those who practice it, those who condemn it and those who fight it. Corruption is one of the forms of fraud, and also in number of three, it is considered the premises that provide its occurrence: the first is the motivation arising from personal problems or performance of the agent; the second is the rationalization characterized by unlawful and/or unethical justifications, which give reasons so that the person responsible for the irregularities can justify their acts such as: "it was always done this way", "I did not know the rules", and finally, the third, the opportunities generated by lack of control, lack of supervision and regulation.
As reported by the Platform for Action Against Corruption, of the Global Compact Network, 1 in every 10 Brazilians has had to pay bribes to access public services; 50% of Brazilians believe that most executives and bankers are corrupt and, it is estimated, that the value of the costs of hiring is increased by 25% causing market failures and imbalances in addition to low economic growth. However, the value of corruption is beyond the money lost because one must consider the impact on time, productivity and the reputation of the company or public body, which fuels distrust of institutions, social instability and undermines the rule of law.
The origin of the word corruption is from the Latin term corruptione, a combination of the words cor (heart) and rupta (break, rupture) which typifies something out of its condition of wholeness, of integrity. And what must be done for something to remain whole or restore its integrity? Apply Integrity. Integrity is the vaccine to avoid correctional remedies to acts of corruption. It is reasonable to say that corruption must be prevented, extinguished and fought. And how can this be feasible? According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development - OECD, "integrity is a cornerstone of good governance, a condition for all other government activities not only to be trusted and legitimate, but also to be effective". The Organization cites governance and integrity for the actions of government specifically, but it is conventional such recommendations also to companies, third sector entities and in any other form of business.
Integrity is pointed out by the OECD as the strategic and sustainable response to corruption. The Culture of Integrity should be considered as a main pillar in government, business and social structures. It is the Culture of Integrity that guarantees ethical conduct; incentives for certain behaviors; the example set by leaders; efficiency in the use of resources; due accountability; monitoring and improvement of processes; and interaction channels with society and other stakeholders. In the private sector, the culture of integrity mitigates the reputational risk that may compromise the company's image and possible damage to the business. In the Public Administration, it strengthens and revives the ethical identity of State institutions and the behavior of public agents.
Specifically in the public sector, to contribute to this reality and the Culture of Integrity be cultivated, the OECD recommends adherents to: Promote a culture of public integrity to the whole of society in partnership with the private sector, civil society and individuals; invest in integrity leadership to demonstrate the public sector organisation's commitment to integrity; promote a merit-based professional public sector dedicated to public service values and good governance; provide sufficient information, training, guidance and timely advice for public servants to apply public integrity standards in the workplace; support an open organisational culture in the public sector that is responsive to integrity concerns.
Since the edition of the Anti-Corruption Law, the public and private corporate environments have undergone (or were forced to undergo) a change in mindset. Federal Law No. 12,846/2013 aims to meet international commitments made by Brazil and directly addresses the conduct of corruptors with new legal ordinances such as the administrative fine of up to 20% of the company's gross turnover and the instrument of leniency agreements, allowing the reimbursement to the public coffers of damages in a more expeditious manner. This milestone has set Brazilian legislation on a path with no return to the implementation of Integrity Programmes, a path that is still being paved but is constantly being paved by a growing group of professionals and public servants who implement and disseminate the Culture of Integrity.
"The phenomenon of corruption, due to its complexity and its potential harm to society, requires, in addition to repressive action, preventive action by the State. Therefore, it is necessary to encourage integrity in the public and private service so that its agents always act, in fact, in the public interest." - Office of the Comptroller General (CGU).
Misma de Paula
MBA Management, Wealth and Compliance (GRC) Tutor
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