National Corruption Free-Week, 9-17 December 2006
Thimphu Bhutan, 9 December 2006: Bhutan joined the global community in commemorating the International Anti-Corruption Day on 9 December, 2006 in the capital, Thimphu. The event was organised by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bhutan with support from UNDP. It included activities aimed at familiarising the public on what corruption is and how it can impede the development of one’s country. The open-air celebration at the capital’s city centre attracted people from all walks of life including over 100 senior government officials. Services standard leaflets were distributed and prizes were awarded to the winners of an open essay competition titled,‘ Corruption as I see in our Bhutanese society and what roles can I play ?’. The morning event concluded with a display of children’s art competition. The theme for the event was, ‘Together we can stop corruption’. The commemoration continued in the afternoon, with an Open Forum Discussion on ‘Corruption and Governance’ which was broadcast live on the national television, BBS (Bhutan Broadcasting Services). There was wide exchange of views and ideas on linkages between corruption and governance and main causes of corruption in Bhutan between 16 high level panellists and some hundred participants. Similar awareness programs of corruption and how to curb it were organized in all the twenty districts across Bhutan. Dec 9 – 17 has been declared as a ‘National Corruption-Free Week’. A number of advocacy programmes on anticorruption will be aired on the national television and radio throughout the week as part of efforts to raise public awareness on corruption. UNDP Bhutan has been a close partner of the Anti-Corruption Commission since its inception early this year. UNDP’s support has resulted in the finalization of the Anti-Corruption Act, formulation of the National Strategy Paper and Master Plan on Anti-Corruption amongst others.