DAVID ADAMS reports…
A new global anti-corruption campaign has been launched in a bid to raise awareness of the issue, identified as a major factor in keeping millions of people trapped in poverty.
Launched in London last week, the ‘Exposed’ campaign is being supported by a coalition of Christian organisations from around the world including Micah Challenge – a global network of Christian organisations and individuals concerned with lobbying world leaders to meet the Millennium Development Goals, the US and UK Bible Societies, the Salvation Army and African-based group Unashamedly Ethical.
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SPOTLIGHTING: Micah Challenge Australia’s ‘Shine the Light’ campaign. “The reality is that corruption is just as much driven by rich bankers, lawyers and accountants in wealthy Western countries…”– John Beckett, Micah Challenge Australia |
They are looking to challenge churches, businesses and governments over the more than $US1 trillion which goes missing annually through mismanagement, illicit business practices and poor governance and aim to mobilise 100 million Christians to “practise and promote ethical and just behaviour in all spheres of life” in the lead-up to a week of prayer and action to be held in October next year.
Micah Challenge Australia will lead the Australian arm of the campaign under the banner of ‘Shine the Light’.
John Beckett, national coordinator, says that following Micah Challenge’s last global campaign in 2010, a review process found that issues of corruption were overwhelming seen as the major brake factor to development – and on countries reaching the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
“So there was a sense that globally we need to address it – both within the church but then also, from within the church calling on both government and business to seek to address corruption as well,” he says.
Mr Beckett says there remains a “big misconception” that corruption is an issue that solely involves African dictators stealing from their citizens. He says tax evasion and avoidance – in particular that of multinational companies operating in developing countries who use offshore tax havens to hide money – is a far greater problem.
“The reality is that corruption is just as much driven by rich bankers, lawyers and accountants in wealthy Western countries…”
While this means the true cost of corruption can only be guessed at given the “cover of darkness” thrown over tax havens, Mr Beckett says estimates range from the hundreds of millions as high as $US1.7 trillion.
Regardless of the amount, Mr Beckett says the outcome of companies avoiding tax in developing countries is that communities in those countries miss out on essential services the taxes would pay for.
“Utimately it’s the communities who miss out on the delivery of essential services which are…keeping them alive.”
In Australia, the campaign is calling for the Australian Government to support international initiatives to end tax evasion and introduce legislation which requires all corporations registered in Australia to report all payments made and received on a country-by-country basis – an issue raised by Micah Challenge activists with politicians at the Voices for Justice gathering in Canberra in September.
The week of action will be held from 14th to 20th October next year after which the campaign will be lobbying the G20 to take action, something that is particularly relevant to Australians given it will chair the G20 in 2014, culminating in a meeting of G20 heads in Brisbane in November.
To sign Micah Challenge Australia’s petition and Australian-based resources, head to www.micahchallenge.org.au/shine-the-light. For more information on the global campaign, head to www.micahchallenge.org/campaigns/exposed.
