And the Results of the TI Corruption Perceptions Index 2010 are in..

Trinidad and Tobago has moved from 79 to 73 in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index. This is an improvement from last year... Jamaica has also improved from last year but still trails TT at 87 and the big winner in the Caribbean..the country with the lowest perception of corruption is Barbados and actually makes the top 20 at number 17. 

Now, we know all the criticisms of the index - it measures perception not actually corrupt activity - also biased against the third world since it does not take into consideration the supply side of corruption. 

However there is the BPI (BribePayers Index) which does the latter and really and truly "perception" of corruption is just as destructive to a society as the actual acts themselves. Once a country is perceived to be corrupt, some persons just accept that this is the way to do business, feel helpless in the fight against corruption and thereby contribute to the perpetuation of this environment through their own malaise.. this undermines public trust and confidence in our governance architecture which then cripples anti-corruption initiatives and efforts. 

Let us continue doing our best to change ourselves as we learn more and become more enlightened as citizens about what to expect from our elected officials and our own obligations to our community. This way, with positivity, faith in our goals and considered collaborative action our society will change...for the better.

For full results click link below:

http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2010/results

Thompson Reuters Foundation launches global anti-corruption hub

Just a few months ago the Thomson Reuters Foundation launched a global marketplace for free public-service legal assistance and news and information about good governance and anti-corruption issues. CalledTrustLaw, it will connect NGOs, social entrepreneurs and governments in need of free legal assistance with lawyers willing to work at no cost. It also “enables lawyers to engage in high impact pro bono work with confidence and efficiency,” a Thomson Reuters announcement said.

 

An Introduction on the TrustLaw website says:

 

TrustLaw is a global centre for free legal assistance and anti-corruption news, run byThomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of the world's leading provider of news and information, Thomson Reuters.

In common with all of the Foundation's programmes, TrustLaw aims to empower people in need by providing trusted information and leveraging professional expertise. We offer services to improve access to the rule of law and foster greater transparency.

Our mission is twofold:

• Spread the culture and practice of pro bono work around the world, connecting those who need legal assistance with lawyers willing to work at no cost

• Offer a one-stop shop for news and information on good governance and anti-corruption issues

At the heart of TrustLaw is an ambitious electronic platform called TrustLaw Connect, which offers lawyers and pro bono managers a way to easily connect with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), governments and social entrepreneurs seeking free legal services.

TrustLaw believes such clients have the potential to address many of the world's environmental, humanitarian and social problems, but their effectiveness may be impeded by lack of legal resources. Thomson Reuters Foundation strives to close this gap through its free services.

TrustLaw also features a growing repository of news and information around anti-corruption and governance issues, including national legislation, international conventions, articles, reports, country profiles and law reviews.

Content comes from our own team of specialist journalists as well as from international institutions, law firms, governments, NGOs and others.