Where has that 240 million dollar gone?

 Promotion of integrity is often second or third priority. ‘No budget’ is the most famous clincher. In 2013 OESO reminds The Netherlands to act more forcefully against companies that are involved in corruption abroad. The public prosecutor prosecuted only 8 of the 22 known corruption cases. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs convene a target group. The message to the participants, including organization for CSR and transparency, was disappointed. The Ministry has no money for the work to be done.

 Fund for Integrity

At the same time Public Prosecution makes an arrangement with an international operating Off Shore Company. An arrangement means that no one comes to court despite committing a crime. The penalty and the arrangement amount together 240 million dollars. $ 200 million as compensation for unjustified obtained profits. Let’s say money that was spent on bribes.

Where has this money gone? Probably to the general state budget! Not to organisations that fight corruption and develop programmes for business integrity.

With corruption are large sums of money involved. With more manpower Public Prosecution could prosecute suspected companies more effective and bringing to court. The penalties and arrangements could contribute to a fund to finance integrity programmes. Indeed, bad money to good money! Not only in The Netherlands but also in all countries. It involves huge sums.

 The clincher of ‘no budget available’ then is off the table

 Henk Bruning

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Freedom of expression versus the Right to Insult

The current debate is about he right on insult as unlimited freedom. However, the question is different: Do I allow myself the freedom of expression without acceptance of persons?

An example:

• I’m free waving my arms.
• I can do that unobstructed till I approach the nose of someone else.
• Then my freedom meets the security of another.
• His interest determines my use of freedom.

Integrity stands for debate and investigation of the arguments of the other and me to act yes or no. It could be right to insult another, as it could be justified when a competent authority kills a person. To take a decision weighing of arguments is needed. The principle of freedom may lose out the principle of security and respect.

 Perspective

In Tirana, Skopje, Ankara en Belgrade participant of the Integrity Course received my book: ‘To Be Honest… Finding Inspiration and Integrity in Public Service and Business’.

The told their experiences back home. Four stories are noting:

• Macedonian Boarder Police improved organisation. No more long queues mean less chance that drivers pay small amounts of money to pass faster the boarder.
• In Serbia the procurement procedure is reassessed and more transparent. The State Exam for new civil servants pays attention to integrity.
• In Albania Ministry of Interior develops an integrity program for after the elections.
• New collaboration arises: As a Serbian colleague said: Now I’ll just check my colleague in Kosovo.

My new website about HRM and integrity will report every two weeks news and challenging facts about the progress of good governance, CSR and integrity. Please don’t hesitate to give your comments and experiences to get an inspiring debate. See button ‘leave a comment’ at the top.

Success with the implementation of integrity!

Henk Bruning

 

 

 

Welcome in 2015

2015 started baffling because of some pencil marks. In Paris 12 people were killed because of free expression and image. Policemen lost their lives when defending this principle. In Africa and Yemen murderous gangs patched human values to their boots. Fear and sadness undermined the best wishes for a pleasant and successful 2015.

However, the same days millions of people distribute an enormous tap to the criminals defending the human dignity. This solidarity gives us hope and energy.

Perspective

If you look closely, you see many initiatives for responsible governance and entrepreneurship. This year we like to pay attention to people who, sometimes against the current, try to improve the worthiness of the government and business. Moral values and norms design the personality of people and show their identity. They prevent affection of their integrity by close protection. Managers from the Balkans articulated like: Integrity should be an integral part of our work. Integrity ensures that the decisions we make are made on justified basis and treatment.

These statements you may find in my new book: ‘To Be Honest… Finding Inspiration and Integrity in Public Service and Business’. A book with concrete suggestions how to apply integrity and responsible management into the organisation. ISBN: 978-94-9106-142-4, 161 pages, € 15,00.

My sparkling new website about HRM and integrity – www.henkbruning.nl – will report every two weeks news and challenging facts about the progress of good governance, CSR and integrity. Please don’t hesitate to give your comments and experiences to get an inspiring debate.

Success with the year of integrity!

Henk Bruning