In the framework of the Kyiv International Lectures Series Mr. Eric Martin addressed the important role of the civil society in fighting corruption. Civil society demands integrity, transparency and accountability not only from companies but also from public authorities. He explained how Transparency International acted as a watchdog and reacted to wrongdoing. Rules and regulations were not sufficient to fight corrupt behavior. Laws might be enforced. He explored what could be done to raise awareness of corruption risks and to engage governments in preventing and fighting corruption.
Eric Martin is the Chair of Transparency International Switzerland since May 2014. During 2011-2013 he was Delegate of the Federal Council for Trade Agreements with the title of Ambassador, Head of the Bilateral Economic Relations, Export Control Policy and Sanctions Division as well as Member of the Executive Board of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Federal Department of Economic Affairs (FDEA), Berne. From 2010 to 2011 he was a Special Envoy for private sector relations at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Berne. From 2006 to 2010, Ambassador Martin was a Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the OECD, Paris (France), Chair of the Governing Board of the Development Centre and Chair of the Public Affairs and Communications Committee. Before he served as a Head of the Economic and Financial Affairs Division at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Berne, and as Ambassador to Peru and Bolivia.
This edition of the Kyiv International Lecture is organized by the Embassy Switzerland, in cooperation with the Sorbes Group. The Ukrainian Week is the media partner, the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv is the academic partner of the Kyiv International Lectures Series.
