The fight to eliminate world poverty is being severely hampered by corrupt leaders in developing countries. According to the African Union, some $150 billion is lost every year to corruption in Africa. In China, it is estimated corruption diminishes the annual value of gross domestic product by 15%. The pattern repeats itself elsewhere.

This bleak situation compounds the poverty problem even more because donor countries are justifiably reluctant to support jurisdictions whose leaders are known to be corrupt, ignoring their citizens’ needs while stealing and laundering public funds for private use. What development does occur in chronically corrupt nations is often poorly planned and environmentally unsustainable, since the private gain of corrupt politicians and officials takes precedence over the implementation of sound development strategies. Likewise, bureaucratic corruption also results in the compromising of worker and consumer safety after all, a bribe costs less than obeying the law. And it is the poor who really pay the true cost of corruption.

The Poverty of Corrupt Nations is a straightforward, easy-to-read exposition of the nature and scope of global corruption and money laundering, explaining the impact of recent troubling corruption trends on the public-at-large and public policy makers. Specifically, Cullen examines the links between world poverty, corruption, terrorism, global migration patterns, and money laundering. Constructively, Cullen then outlines a practical 20-point program to increase transparency and accountability in governments and parliaments around the world and break this cycle of corruption and poverty.

ROY CULLEN, a former member of the Canadian Parliament, drew on his international experience in the private and public sectors to write this timely book. He was active in the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption.

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"The significant negative impact of corruption on the lives of citizens is well documented in The Poverty of Corrupt Nations. Roy Cullen's commitment to the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC), and to the fight against corruption and money laundering, is legendary. The solutions he proposes to attack this problem will be of great interest to policymakers in developing countries, and to citizens of the world."
Mrs. Fatima Belmouden, Member, Moroccan Parliament; Vice-Chair, Arab Region Parliamentarians Against Corruption

"Roy Cullen has been a tireless worker in the fight against corruption, and in the anti money laundering agenda. Through his work the poor can hopefully look forward to some prosperity while the corrupt leaders, having stolen so much from their citizens who have so little, can anticipate greater scrutiny and accountability. The Poverty of Corrupt Nations is a 'must read' for everyone with a conscience."
John G. Williams, F.C.G.A., Member of Parliament, Canada; Chair, Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption

"Roy Cullen through his work with the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption is performing an invaluable service for the world's poor. The facts are irrefutable. Corruption is leaving millions in shameful poverty."
Rt. Hon. Paul Martin, P.C., M.P., former Prime Minister of Canada

"Government ministers and parliamentarians around the world know Roy Cullen as a tireless fighter in the battle against corruption. I have had the privilege of working with him in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in the European Parliamentary Assembly to combat corruption and money laundering. Publication of The Poverty of Corrupt Nations is sure to be a valuable resource for policymakers and practitioners."
Benjamin L. Cardin, United States Senator for Maryland