This session will profile the work of the unprecedented partnership between journalists and civil society activists in the Global Anti-Corruption Consortium (GACC) spearheaded by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and Transparency International (TI). We will spotlight a major investigation in the consortium’s first year that underpins crucial advocacy efforts today: the
Azerbaijani Laundromat, by
Berlingske and OCCRP, looks into a complex $2.9 billion money and reputational laundering operation via four shell companies registered in the UK. Our aim is to show how global corruption fuels the repression of human rights, the impact achieved through bridging this non-traditional divide, and challenges and lessons learned on the mechanics of this kind of unique collaboration as a model for others embarking on similar partnerships. We will also highlight investigations beyond the GACC, raising similar questions about and opportunities for journalists and advocates partnering on cases of grand corruption. Through this discussion, we hope to identify and engage potential new partners and session participants in hurdles to avoid and ways these alliances can work, while illustrating why they are worth the effort.
Session Rapporteur:
Conny Abel
