Churches have united in London for the historic launch of a global Christian response to corruption.EXPOSED is being led by Christian organisations including Micah Challenge, The Salvation Army, Bible Society and the World Evangelical Alliance.
It is the first time that so many Christian organisations have united to stand against corruption.
The campaign aims to shine a light on corruption, which they warn is a major contributing factor to global poverty.
Campaign chairman and International Director of Micah Challenge, Rev Joel Edwards, said: "No nation is immune. This current economic crisis means that greed, the excesses of corporate cultures, dishonesty and unaccountable behaviour has touched us where it hurts. EXPOSED is here to join an increasing chorus of concern, which says ‘enough is enough’. It is an opportunity for the church to do what we are called to do: to raise our voice in holy outrage and provide practical offerings of hope."
Over the next 12 months, the organisations will raise awareness of corruption and the need for action to tackle the problem.
They hope to mobilise millions of people worldwide to commit to and promote practical steps for ethical behaviour in business, government, the church and wider society.
EXPOSED will lobby governments to pass laws that put a stop to all forms of corruption.
The church is being asked to act with integrity while individuals are being challenged to assess their own behaviour and tackle corruption in their local communities.
The year will culminate in the EXPOSED Global Vigil against Corruption from 14 to 20 October 2013 and with the signing of a Global Call against corruption which will be handed to the G20 gathering of leading economies in Australia in 2014. Organisers are aiming to gather 10 million signatories.
EXPOSED International Co-ordinator Dr Dion Forster said: "I am convinced that we are responding to God’s call to the Church to take a stand on the issue of corruption across the globe."
Giving the Biblical grounding for the campaign, Dr Forster continued: "Corruption is a sin. It is a sin that is perpetrated against the most vulnerable members of society. It is an affront to God. It is this truth that makes the EXPOSED campaign so important and so urgent."
EXPOSED is also being backed by the Unashamedly Ethical campaign, which challenges people to "clean living".