Mandate
Following its evaluation of Swiss legislation for combating corruption, in 2007 the Council of Europe made a number of recommendations. Based on these the Federal Council allocated the task of setting up an interdepartmental working group on combating corruption (IDWG Combating Corruption) to the EDA on 19 December 2009. One of the main functions of the IDWG Combating Corruption consists of developing joint national and international strategies in the fight against corruption. In fulfilling its mandate the IDWG confers with cantons, cities, business representatives and civil society as a whole, it organizes thematic workshops, participates in a range of committees and defines a joint approach to issues within its own area of responsibility. Moreover, it also operates as a contact point and advisory body for external inquiries (e.g. from foreign delegations), provides the Federal Council with information or makes recommendations to it. 

Activities
The mandate of the Federal Council of 19 December 2008 to the IDWG Combating Corruption foresees that the Group will meet at least once every half-year. The IDWG has adopted this half-year rhythm and meets in the middle and at the end of each year. Plenary meetings are attended by a range of different offices of the federal administration and the Attorney General as well as representatives from industry, the cantons, cities and civil society in general. These meetings serve both as a forum in which to exchange information, and as an opportunity to examine particular topics in greater detail. On the one hand themes of topical importance can be considered, and on the other the relevant bodies have a chance to regularly provide detailed information about international developments in the OECD Working Group on Bribery, the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO, Groupe d’Etats contre la Corruption) and the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).

In accordance with the previously mentioned decision of the Federal Council of 19 December 2008, a core group, which meets every two months under the leadership of the PA V (FDFA), assumes responsibility for planning the work of the IDWG and setting the strategy and strategic focus of the Group. Additional members of this core group come from the Office of the Attorney General, the FOJ, FOPER, the SFAO and SECO.

The IDWG Combating Corruption also runs a number of different workshops dealing with themes related to the fight against corruption. These thematic workshops and events primarily serve as forums in which to exchange information and develop an informed opinion and are intended to stimulate discussion on the subject of combating corruption at a national level. Past IDWG workshops have, for example, focused on issues such as whistleblowing, financing political parties and election campaigns, and have taken the example of the enlargement contribution to consider ways to reduce the risk of corruption in international development work.

Upcoming events

• The IDWG Combating Corruption has, for the first time, undertaken a review of national and international activities concerning the fight against corruption and published its findings in a report. (see link)
• The next plenary meeting of the IDWG Combating Corruption will be held on 9 December 2011.