VII. Gender awareness and Cross Cutting Topics (CCT)
7.7. Building integrity
Building Integrity is a measure to fight corruption without reducing the efficiency of the security apparatus. It focuses on motivation rather than punishment. The NATO building integrity programme provides practical tools to reduce the risk of corruption in the defence and security sectors. It promotes good practice, processes and methodologies, and provides countries with tailored support to make defence and security institutions more effective and efficient.
Corruption in the joint operation area is not only a risk for the mission personnel, but also undermines all stabilisation efforts due to its strong link to terrorism, criminal organisations and armed opposition groups. Corruption provides resources (e.g. financial and human) for these groups and affects the efficiency of local security forces and governmental institutions. Fighting it helps to establish a safe and secure environment. Moreover, supporting a BI programme could increase public trust for the mission through a higher legitimacy. This means that the local population will be more likely to accept and support the mission. These aspects will contribute to force security and more sustainable mission results. Corruption is a major source of social unrest around the world. Corruption fuels regional conflict and acts a key source of instability. There is a clear correlation between corruption, violence and instability. The most corrupt countries in the world often are the scene of insurgencies, extremist activity, or other threats to international security.
For more details see the Factsheet.