April 11, European Parliament, Brussels
S&D and A Change of Direction present the output of our two years initiative in the protection of whistleblowers.
Whistleblowers face serious social, political and legal hindrances that obstruct their public service, thus discouraging the disclosure of harmful activities and reinforcing the opacity of the status quo.
“A Change of Direction” is an international group of NGOs and research institutions that is promoting a new integrated framework for research, awareness-raising and public advocacy for protecting whistleblowers in Europe. This project stems from the conviction that stronger rights are essential to encourage public officials, employees and citizens to report corruption and misconduct within government and companies.
To translate our concern into a ground-level practical approach, we face four main issues: protection from retaliation, disclosure channels, investigation of disclosures, and negative cultural attitudes toward whistleblowers. Our approach will encompass the following working areas:
The conceptual, political and legal framework;
Practical tools, policies and practices;
Activism and advocacy;
Social and cultural context.