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Briefs on Recent Anti-corruption Efforts in Russia

June 2002
Boris Demidov, General Manager, Transparency International Russia

"Corruption undermines the fairness, stability, and efficiency of a society, and its ability to deliver sustainable development to its members," wrote Boris V. Demidov, General Manager of Transparency International Russia. Demidov, IREX alumnus (CI 01), gave a presentation entitled "Fighting Corruption in Russia: The Role of Transparency International," on June 12. Hosted by RFE/RL, the briefing brought together a spectrum of media and non-governmental organizations interested in the status of anti-corruption efforts currently undertaken in Russia.

Current Anti-Corruption Activities of Transparency International - Russia
Transparency International (TI), an international non-profit organization that focuses on anti-corruption activities worldwide, was established a decade ago. TI-Russia was launched in 1999 as a national chapter of TI. Boris Demidov, TI-Russia's General Manager, described most recent anti-corruption efforts undertaken by his organization:

1. Freedom of Information Legislation
In September 2001, Transparency International launched a project to draft Access to Information Law (AIL) in the Kaliningrad region, drawing what they hope would be a map to lead the province out of corruption and bribery. Under the new legislation, withholding non-classified information by public officials would be punishable by fine. Boris Demidov expressed his strong belief that when and if the law is passed, the legal anti-corruption structure will be complete.

2. A Poll: Perception of Corruption in Russia
An independent poll, supported by George Soros, was conducted in order to determine how corruption is perceived in Russia. The survey was conducted by an independent poll agency to assure accurate and reliable results, which will be available by January 2003.

3. National Anti-Corruption Resource Center (ACRC)
With Open Society Institute support, TI-Russia developed a website that serves as the only Russian-language website focused entirely on anti-corruption issue.

4. Series of Annual Workshops on Anti-Corruption Strategies for Transitional Economies
The workshops bring together NGOs, international and bi-lateral organizations, and media representatives to identify and propose solutions to instances of corruption. The first workshop was organized in Kyiv by TI-Ukraine, TI-Russia, and Ukrainian Coalition for Freedom of Choice. The next workshop is scheduled to take place in St. Petersburg this fall.

Demidov is a participant of FSA Contemporary Issues Fellowship Program (CI), funded by the US Department of State under the Freedom Support Act and administered by IREX. His research focused on the "Role of Civil Society in Curbing Corruption in Transition Economy Countries."

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