For the first time Lithuania with its own session participated at OECD Global Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum (GACIF2021). The Special Investigation Service (STT) has organized the online session “How to promote integrity in the public sector? Cross-sectorial approach and Lithuanian experience in launching the Integrity Academy”. About 130 participants from more than 60 countries attended the session.
Panelists of this session: Darius Kuliešius, Chief Adviser to the President of the Republic of Lithuania; Žydrūnas Bartkus, STT Director; Elanas Jablonskas, Vice-minister of Justice; Sergejus Muravjovas, Head of the Transparency International Lithuanian Chapter, and Aurimas Navys, Head of Corporate Security of Ignitis Group, have discussed both the concept of the Integrity Academy and the progress achieved. The STT Deputy Director Rūta Kaziliūnaitė moderated discussion.
“For many years now, Lithuania has been rated below the average of the EU Member States according to the Corruption Perceptions Index. Corruption is a serious threat to national security, causing great economic, social and political damage. The situation should change with the adoption of the new version of the Law on Prevention of Corruption currently discussed at the Lithuanian Parliament and the focus on its implementation by all of us. The volunteers of the Integrity Academy are doing an excellent job in disseminating good examples of anti-corruption activities, demonstrating the benefits and value of transparent activities to everyone,” said Darius Kuliešius.
STT Director Žydrūnas Bartkus stated that this discussion is a great opportunity to share experiences and thus further strengthen the importance of transparency. “The opportunity to discuss the promotion of integrity in public sector is important not only for Lithuanian partners and representatives, but also to the international community. The STT is actively involved in various international projects and values partnerships with foreign anti-corruption institutions. The exchange of best practices is particularly significant in efforts of increasing the anti-corruption potential of Lithuania and other countries,” said Žydrūnas Bartkus.
“It has to be acknowledged that Lithuania and especially some of its institutions, have made a huge progress in building anti-corruption and integrity framework. However, there is still room for improvement. By being sociable, open and supporting each other’s good ideas, we can make the path of changes easier and the desired results more visible. That is what society expects from us,” said Elanas Jablonskas.
Sergejus Muravjovas mentioned that the Integrity Academy can become the cradle of good examples that turn anticorruption slogans into actions. It’d be great if every year there would be less corruption because of the Academy. And the fun part is it’s in our hands.
“We are happy of taking part in the Integrity Academy project. Being an expert, a mentor means not only teaching, but also, above all, learning yourself and never stopping. By sharing and exchanging best practices, we are strengthening the resistance of business, public sector, and society as a whole to corruption,” Aurimas Navys, a representative of Ignitis Grupė AB, an expert of the Integrity Academy.
The OECD’s Global Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum (GACIF2021) is, perhaps, the largest anti-corruption and integrity event, which attracts thousands of participants from all over the world every year. The Forum provided an opportunity for governments, business leaders, policy makers, anti-corruption experts and practitioners, civil society representatives and academics to focus on trust and integrity in building a more resilient and more transparent future.
The recording of the discussion is here.