Financial Transparency Coalition

The beginning of 2011 may yet be remembered as a new dawn of the protest and fresh interest in civic engagement worldwide. From Wisconsin to Tunisia workers and citizens have risen up against a leader, in protest of a law, or in retaliation of a loss. In Egypt in Tunisia, their voices were not only heard, but they affected regime change within weeks. In Wisconsin, two weeks of union protests have sparked a coast-to-coast debate on collective bargaining rights, the erosion of the American middle class, our national priorities, and our values as a country. The viral...

In a public opinion poll conducted in November of 2010, Americans, on average, stated they believe about 25% of the Federal budget goes to foreign aid. When asked what would be an appropriate amount to go to foreign aid, Americans answered 10% of the budget. The amount of the U.S. federal budget that actually goes to foreign aid? About 1%. It’s no surprise that foreign aid is one of the only budget areas that a majority of Americans are willing to cut. The reason for this, pollsters believe, is because Americans have blurred the line between defense...

76 civil society organizations, including 7 members of the Task Force—Christian Aid, Eurodad, Global Financial Integrity, Global Witness, Tax Justice Network, Tax Research UK, and Transparency International—submitted the attached letter to G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group officials on February 11, 2011. The letter affirmed the civil society groups' support for the G20’s work combating corruption, urged swift action and made recommendations.

In October 2010, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), published a consultation paper seeking input as the organization conducts a review of its 40+9 Recommendations. Attached is the official response from the Task Force on Financial Integrity and Economic Development (Task Force).