EU Whistleblower Directive focuses on the protective measures for whistleblowers. It is signalizing them that they have nothing to fear and encourages them to report on company infringements. Our Gap Analysis showed that there are key areas of whistleblower protection laws in Western Balkans and Moldova which don’t adequately incorporate the 21 standards. Learn more: https://rai-see.org/php_sets/uploads/2021/10/RAI-GAP-Analysis-English.pdf Corruption has hugely damaging effects on society, of which the most destructive are the non-material ones – from the erosion of democratic values, human rights and freedoms to the loss of human lives. To effectively combat corruption, judicial institutions must base their work on honesty, conscientiousness, impartiality, transparency, and respect the norms and rules that govern their field of activity. On the International Anti-corruption Day, we remind that whistleblowers should be considered our heroes. We should empower them through their adequate protection, break the silence, and fight against corruption properly. On the International Anti-corruption Day, RAI Secretariat recognises and celebrates efforts of our members and partners towards shaping corruption-free and transparent societies in the SEE. Whistleblowing is an integral part of the right to freedom of expression and freedom of media. By protecting whistleblowers, as they are an important source for investigative journalism, we protect these rights. Before you whistle, you should 1. Make sure you have a valid case, 2. Only report the right kind of concerns, 3. Check the approved channels, 4. Remember you’re a witness, not an investigator, 5. Escalate your concerns to others if needed. Some of the mechanisms we use to achieve these goals are presented in our Gap Analysis. Check it out: https://rai-see.org/php_sets/uploads/2021/10/RAI-GAP-Analysis-English.pdf Denmark is an excellent example of low corruption rates, because the series of money-laundering scandals and fraud in this country has been revealed thanks to its strict revision mechanisms and laws. Did you know that there are two types of whistleblowing? Internal whistleblowers are those who report the misconduct, fraud, or indiscipline to senior officers of the organisation such as Head Human Resource or CEO. External whistleblowing is a term used when whistleblowers report the wrongdoings to people outside the organisation such as the media, higher government officials, or police. Did you know that historically, whistleblowers have played an essential role in helping banks protect the economic interests of the UK? “There is no universal whistleblower law. Your rights depend on the procedures set forth in different laws. The level of protection depends on what you disclose, to whom, and how.” – National Whistleblower Center WHO estimates that 12.5 billion dollars worth of medicine and pharmaceutical products are stolen or “lost” due to global bribery, corruption, and fraud. The PURPOSE of whistleblowing is to expose secret and wrongful acts by those in power to enable reform – Glenn Greenwald Corruption can be defined and categorized in different ways, but these are the most common types or categories of corruption. Technology has made anonymous reporting more accessible than ever. Secure online dropboxes allow whistleblowers to make a disclosure online, and two open-source systems are used the most – GlobaLeaks (Italy) and SecureDrop (USA). What are the costs of corruption in the educational system? One of the most damaging is that jobs and positions are allocated based on bribes rather than ability. Besides employees, the EU Directive on Whistleblower Protection protects unions, civil society organizations or persons assisting or associated with them, companies where they work, shareholders, suppliers, consultants and self-employed. One of the most significant advantages of whistleblowing is that it exposes malpractice in an organization or institution, which can lead to the required reform, and thus protect its image and reputation. The theory of why whistleblowing works is centered on a cycle of accountability. Successful prosecutions resulting from whistleblower tips create this five-step cycle. The most common area for fraud reported by whistleblowers remains to be health care. As this sector has grown in size over the past decade, the varieties, scale and complexity of health care fraud have grown along with it. Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) is an intergovernmental regional organization dealing solely with anti-corruption issues. Our mission is to lead regional cooperation to support anticorruption efforts. What is called the „world’s first whistleblower protection law“ was passed in 1778, in the USA. It was passed after 10 sailors and marines signed a petition and reported the improper behavior of a Continental Navy commander. An internal whistleblower hotline is a critical component of a company’s anti-fraud program, as they are effective in preventing activities such as corporate fraud, securities violations and employment discrimination or harassment. In 2021, we conducted an online survey among youth in Bosnia and Herzegovina to find out how they feel about whistleblowing. Here are some of the results, and the rest you can find on: https://bit.ly/34nq4Qo RAI is dedicated to providing guidance and education. As a part of our Learning Hub, we provide an Online Training section on the RAI website, with a selection of various courses on combating corruption. Check out all the content on the link: https://bit.ly/3rgIaww RAI’s strategic objectives: -regional cooperation in asset declarations -establishing transparent rules and procedures in the public sector -raising awareness about whistleblowing and strengthening capacities to support it -implementing good practice in asset recovery How do young people in Moldova feel about whistleblowing? We conducted a survey among students, youth activists and young European ambassadors on youth perception and knowledge of whistleblowing in Moldova. Results: https://bit.ly/3F1thCY One of a kind in its scope and capabilities, newly formed #Roster of Pre-vetted Experts in the Area of #Anticorruption offers support and services in various anti-corruptive activities. It acts in SEE, but also worldwide. Get all the info on: https://bit.ly/3FdQroU Apart from those which are already members, RAI supports its jurisdictions’ EU integration path, and serves as a concrete and visible demonstration of their commitment to the continuing, concerted and coordinated fight against corruption in South East Europe.