Transparency International

A group works to stop people from being unfair.

They want a world where people do not use power for themselves. This group started a long time ago in 1993.

They have many small groups in many lands. These groups work in their own home lands. They use tools to help make things right. They want to help everyone live in a fair world.

Transparency International works to stop corruption. Corruption is when people use power for their own gain. This hurts everyone.

People started this group in 1993. It began in The Hague. Later, it moved to Berlin, Germany. The group has more than 100 local groups. They call these groups "chapters." Each chapter works in its own country.

One famous tool they use is the Corruption Perceptions Index. This index ranks countries. It shows how people think about corruption in those places. It uses surveys from business people. Some people say it only shows what people think, not what is real. But the group says these views still matter.

They also make a Global Corruption Barometer. This survey asks regular people about their own lives. They want to help make a fair world for all. They work with many big groups like the United Nations. They want to hold power to account for the good of everyone.

Transparency International is a group that fights corruption around the world. Corruption happens when people in power use that power to get things for themselves. This behavior can hurt everyone who depends on fair leaders. The group works as a big team to stop these unfair actions. They want to create a world where power is used for the good of all people. They call this mission "Holding Power to Account."

To fight corruption, the group uses special tools and reports. One famous tool is the Corruption Perceptions Index, or CPI. This index ranks different countries based on how corrupt their public sectors seem to be. It uses surveys from many different groups and business people to get information. Another tool is the Global Corruption Barometer. This survey asks regular citizens about their own personal experiences with corruption in daily life.

The group was started on February 9, 1993, in The Hague, Netherlands. Later, it was officially registered in Berlin, Germany, on June 15, 1993. Many people helped start it, including former employees from the World Bank. Some key names include Peter Eigen, Hansjoerg Elshorst, and Michael Wiehen. Other founders were people like Laurence Cockcroft and Oby Ezekwesili. The group has grown from a small operation into a very large international organization.

Today, the group is made of more than 100 local groups called chapters. These chapters are independent and work in their own home countries. For example, Transparency International Bangladesh has a very large number of members. Some chapters use the full name, but others use different names like Corruption Watch in South Africa. The chapters help decide what is most important to fix in their own lands. They might visit small villages to give legal help to people.

Transparency International works with many important global partners. They are members of the G20 Think Tanks and the United Nations Global Compact. They also share goals with the United Nations Sustainable Development Group. These goals include things like peace, justice, and strong institutions. By working with these big groups, they can reach more people. Their work helps connect local problems to global solutions for a better future.

Transparency International (TI) is a global non-governmental organization dedicated to fighting corruption. Corruption is defined as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. This behavior harms everyone who relies on the integrity of people in authority. TI works to create a world where power is held to account for the common good. The organization uses civil society measures to prevent criminal activities caused by corruption. It functions as an umbrella organization for a massive worldwide coalition.

The organization operates through a structure called "The Movement." This movement consists of over 100 national chapters that are locally established and independent. These chapters are staffed by local experts who understand their own countries. They can provide free legal support in rural communities or advise governments on policy reform. While the chapters are autonomous, they are connected to a central Secretariat in Berlin, Germany. The Secretariat manages global operations rather than acting as a traditional headquarters. This distinction helps maintain the independence of each local chapter.

TI uses several specialized tools to measure and combat corruption. One primary tool is the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Launched in 1995, the CPI ranks countries based on perceived public sector corruption. It is a composite index that combines data from various reputable institutions. These sources include the World Economic Forum and the Economist Intelligence Unit. Another tool is the Global Corruption Barometer (GCB). The GCB is a survey that asks citizens about their direct personal experiences with corruption.

The Corruption Perceptions Index has faced both praise and criticism. Supporters say it highlights corruption in a way that matters to businesses. Critics argue it measures perception rather than actual reality. Some claim the index ignores corruption within the private business world. For example, the 2008 collapse of Lehman Brothers did not affect the United States' rating. The index also includes the Government Defence Integrity Index. This report was first published in 2013 to measure corruption in the defense sectors of 82 countries. Some governments have criticized the methodology used in this specific report.

Transparency International has a long history of growth and change. It was founded on February 9, 1993, in The Hague, Netherlands. It was later formally registered in Berlin on June 15, 1993. Former World Bank employees were among the founders. Key individuals included Peter Eigen, Hansjoerg Elshorst, and Michael Wiehen. Other founding members were Laurence Cockcroft, Oby Ezekwesili, and Frank Vogl. The organization has grown from a small operation into a prominent international non-governmental organization. In 2014, it was ranked as the 9th best non-US think tank in the world.

Maintaining high standards is a core part of the organization's operations. Chapters must undergo a re-accreditation process every three years. If a chapter fails this process, it risks disaccreditation. This means it would be removed from The Movement. For instance, the TI chapter in Croatia was disaccredited in 2015 due to a lack of confidence. The TI USA chapter also lost its accreditation in 2017. The board cited differences in philosophy, strategy, and priorities. Some reports suggested the US chapter was seen as a corporate front group. A new TI USA chapter was eventually established in 2020.

Today, TI is a major player in global policy and advocacy. It is a member of the G20 Think Tanks (T20) and Civil Society 20. It also holds consultative status with UNESCO. The organization shares goals with the United Nations Sustainable Development Group. These goals include peace, justice, and strong institutions. Since 2016, TI has partnered with the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. This partnership uses investigative evidence to inform legal advocacy. Through these connections, TI works toward its 2021–2030 strategy, "Holding Power to Account."