Join us for the Integrity at Work Week 2024 online conference held from Monday 25 to Thursday 28 November. Hosted by Transparency International Ireland, this immersive, week-long online conference brings together leaders, professionals, and academics from a variety of sectors to discuss critical issues in workplace ethics, whistleblowing, and compliance.
This year, Transparency International Ireland is partnering with esteemed organisations and universities to incorporate new perspectives on whistleblowing and workplace integrity. Through this collaboration, we will explore best practice principles and insights that extend beyond national borders, focusing on key themes including:
- Designing effective speak up systems
- Cross-border developments in best practice whistleblower protections
- Fostering safe, and accountable workplaces to address wrongdoing
- Understanding whistleblowing legislation, new regulations and employer obligations
Integrity at Work Week 2024 will feature a dynamic line-up of presentations and panel discussions on handling whistleblower reports, instilling integrity in leadership and oversight, the latest developments in whistleblowing laws across Ireland, the EU, and beyond, and developing critical supports for whistleblowers – as well as launching new guidance and tools for organisations.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn from renowned experts and peers on protected disclosures and whistleblowing systems, making this an invaluable opportunity for any organisation or professional committed to advancing workplace integrity or simply seeking to learn more! To find our more about the speakers at this years conference click here.
If you have not already signed-up, there is still time to secure your ticket here. For additional support, please contact us at events@transparency.ie.
The full agenda for Integrity at Work Week 2024 can be viewed below, with special thanks to our partners: Protect, The Ethics Institute, EDHEC Business School, NUIG and GlobaLeaks.
Integrity at Work (IAW) Week 2024
Conference Agenda
Monday 25 November
11.30 – 12:00
Welcome
• Kate O’Hara – Integrity at Work Programme Manager
Keynote Speaker
• The Honourable Mr Justice Peter Charleton – Judge, Supreme Court of Ireland
Opening Remarks
• John Devitt – Chief Executive, Transparency International Ireland
12.00 – 13.15
Supporting Whistleblower Well-being: New Developments & What’s Still Needed
Transparency International Ireland launched the country’s first free specialist psychological support service in 2023 to meet the needs of whistleblowers and their families. Join this session with the service’s new clinical lead, Dr Brigid MacCarthy, and practitioners providing support through the project, as they discuss the importance of psychosocial support during the disclosure process and the growing global demand for similar services.
Panellists:
• Karen Bradley – Accredited Counsellor & Psychotherapist
• Geraldine McLoughlin – Accredited Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist
Facilitator: Dr Brigid MacCarthy – Clinical Psychologist, TI Ireland Psychological Support Service
14.00 – 15.15
Integrity & the Board: Curious or Complacent Leadership
Recent scandals (such as the Post Office miscarriage of justice and the Lucy Letby scandal in the UK, or the collapse of the German financial company Wirecard) suggest that those at the very top of organisations may not be aware of the wrongdoing that is exposed by whistleblowers. It is no longer acceptable for Boards to say “we didn’t know” – they need to be curious and ask the right questions of the executive. So why does groupthink prevail, and how can it be overcome? This panel will look at why Boards behave as they do, and what needs to change to ensure that those at the top hear the message before a scandal breaks.
Panellists:
• Christian Hunt – Founder, Human Risk
• Pav Gill – Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Confide Platform
Moderator: Elizabeth Gardiner – Chief Executive, Protect
15:45 – 17:00
A Look at the Latest Trends in Encouraging Whistleblowing
Join experienced whistleblowing expert and internationally recognised lawyer Mary Inman, along with other experts in whistleblower protection, for a discussion on the latest trends in encouraging whistleblowing. The panel will delve into emerging developments such as reward programs, collective whistleblowing, workplace incentives, and technological advancements in whistleblower supports.
Panellists:
• Jennifer Gibson – Co-Founder, Psst.org
• Eliza Lockhart – Research Fellow, Centre for Finance and Security at RUSI
Moderator: Mary Inman – Lawyer and Partner, Whistleblower Partners LLP
Tuesday 26 November
10.00 – 11.15
Blind Spots in Handling Whistleblowing Reports
Operating speak-up or whistleblowing channels isn’t just about the channel. Often that is the easy bit. The key to success is in how you follow-up on reports that come through these channels. This webinar addresses some of the common blind spots in handling whistleblowing reports. Our panel of integrity professionals discuss difficulties and possible solutions in different aspect of the handling process: investigations, governance and independence, protection, and corrective action.
Panellists:
• Koen Albers – Instructor, Institute of Internal Auditors Belgium
• Gudrun Vande Walle – Forensic Auditor, Belgian Federal Ombudsman
• Hugh Penri-Williams – Managing Director, Glaniad
• Sonny Luypaert – President, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Belgium
Moderator: Professor Wim Vandekerckhove – Professor of Business Ethics, EDHEC Business School
12.00 – 13:00
Navigating Workplace Whistleblowing: Key Takeaways from Training Employers & IAW Helpdesk Launch
Since 2016, the Integrity at Work (IAW) initiative has supported employers with regular trainings, workshops, and forums on whistleblowing, providing a platform to share experiences and stay informed on legal developments. Join TI Associates and training facilitators as they discuss key learnings and “sticky issues” employers currently face when implementing best-practice protected disclosure procedures. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions on current challenges and learn more about the new IAW Employer Helpdesk- a virtual support portal offering researched responses and best-practice guidance for handling reports and fostering supportive environments for workplace whistleblowing.
Panellists:
· Gráinne Madden – Founder and Senior Consultant, GMJ Associates
· Rory Treanor – Barrister specialising in Employment Law and Workplace Investigations
Moderator: Kate O’Hara – Programme Manager, Integrity at Work, Transparency International Ireland
14:00 – 16:00
Partnering with Disclosers: Learning from Whistleblowers
Research shows that public whistleblowers require partners if they are to prevail. Working in coalition with supportive experts – whether in law, media, or advocacy — is critical when bringing wrongdoing to light. As we witness over and over, high-profile whistleblowing cases succeed based on the strength of these alliances. What can organisations and employers learn from this aspect of public whistleblowing? What kinds of internal advocacy are required, and what kinds of supports are needed, from the perspective of the whistleblower at risk of reprisal? Skilled allies tend to remain behind the scenes, but in this panel, we explore the dynamics and practices they use, drawing lessons for all who deal with disclosures.
Panellists:
· Anna Myers – Executive Director, Whistleblowing International Network (WIN)
· Prof. David Lewis – Professor of Employment Law and Head, Whistleblowing Research Unit at Middlesex University
· Dana Gold – Sr. Director of Advocacy & Strategy, Government Accountability Project
· Tom Mueller – Investigative journalist and Senior Fellow at The New School’s Health and Political Economy Project
Moderator: Kate Kenny – Professor at University of Galway, Exec MBA Programme Director
Wednesday 27 November
10.00 – 11.15
How Technology Can Support Disclosure & Better Protect Whistleblowers
The panel will explore the role of technology in supporting whistleblowing, considering both the perspectives of whistleblowers, particularly regarding security and privacy and the recipient organisations, which benefit from enhanced report quality and streamlined management of disclosures and interactions with reporting persons.
Panellists:
· Giovanni Pellerano – Founder and Project Lead, GlobaLeaks
· Giorgio Fraschini – Whistleblowing Manager, Transparency International Italy
· Carter Boone – Associate News Product Manager for Safety, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Moderator: Ida Nowers – Knowledge and Policy Manager, Transparency International Ireland
12:00 – 13:00
Introducing Transparency International’s New Self-Assessment Tool: Internal Whistleblowing Systems Framework
Public and private employers are increasingly recognising the need for effective whistleblowing systems to support good governance and meet growing global regulatory demands. This session introduces Transparency International’s new tool – the Internal Whistleblowing System Self-Assessment Framework – to help any organisation in – Ireland and abroad -align with best practices and standards, such as the EU Whistleblower Protection Directive, through an eight-dimensional self-assessment for strengthened compliance.
Presenter: Marie Terracol – Whistleblower Protection Lead, Transparency International
14.00 – 15.15
The Practicalities of Setting Up Conflict of Interest Management Processes in Organisations
There is a close link between conflicts of interest and corruption. While not all conflicts of interest lead to corruption, almost all corruption has an element of conflicts of interest. It is therefore of utmost importance for organisations to put in place systems and processes to assist employees to responsibly manage conflicts of interest. This seems easy enough on paper but can come with many potential pitfalls. Our panel consists of seasoned ethics practitioners who have walked the hard miles both in establishing and managing conflict of interest management systems in their organisations.
Panellists:
• Phindi Twala – Senior Manager, Ethics and Compliance for e& Group
• Emelia Asiedu Attoh – Ethics Manager, MTN Ghana
• Johanna van Wyngaard – Senior Associate of The Ethics Institute and retired Ethics Officer of the MTN Group
Moderator: Kris Dobie – Senior Manager: Organisational Ethics, The Ethics Institute
15.45 – 17.00
Whistleblowing and Women: Understanding the Impact of Gender on Speaking Up
Whistleblowing is a challenging and often isolating experience, particularly for those who face gendered stigma and retaliation in the workplace. This session explores the unique difficulties that women and non-binary individuals encounter when speaking up, focusing on how gender influences their experience in both male- and female-dominated industries. Drawing on insights from the documentary When We Speak by Tas Booker, the discussion will examine the profound personal and professional consequences faced by women who speak out, as well as the role of workplace culture and societal dynamics in shaping whether voices are heard or ignored.
Panellists:
• Tas Brooker, Co-Owner / Producer, Bafta Connect, Wiser Films
• Amélie Perron, RN, PhD, Full Professor, Co-president of the Nursing Observatory, School of Nursing, University of Ottawa
• Mahaut Fanchini, Assistant Professor at UPEC (University of Paris-East)
Moderator: Meghan Van Portfliet, MBA, PhD, Assistant Teaching Professor- SRS Division, Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado at Boulder
Thursday 28 November
10.00 – 11.15
Update on Ireland’s Protected Disclosures Act – 18 Months Since the 2022 Amendments
In 2022, Ireland enacted transformative reforms to its whistleblower protection legislation through the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act, updating the 2014 law to align with new EU requirements. These changes restructured the national reporting framework, introduced new obligations for public bodies and private employers, and established the Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner to oversee and enforce protections. This session offers an in-depth overview of these critical updates, the Commissioners role as well as new sanctions and expanded protections designed to prevent retaliation. Experts will unpack key developments and share practical insights gained from the first 18 months of implementing one of the world’s most comprehensive whistleblower protection frameworks.
Panellists:
• Rory Treanor – Barrister specialising in Employment Law and Workplace Investigations
• Aoife Drudy – Head of Legal, Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner
• Donal O’Connor – Solicitor, Transparency Legal Advice Centre
Moderator: Gráinne Madden – IAW Associate, Founder and Senior Consultant, GMJ Associates
12:00 – 13:25
Film Screening: When We Speak, Directed by Tas Booker
RUN TIME: 77 minutes
WHEN WE SPEAK is a powerful 2022 documentary directed by Tas Brooker, which brings to light the stories of three courageous whistleblowers who risked their careers, reputations, and safety to expose uncomfortable truths. Featuring British intelligence employee Katharine Gun, Oxfam aid worker Helen Evans, and Hollywood actress Rose McGowan, the film dives into the personal and professional impact of their high-profile revelations. Through their stories, WHEN WE SPEAK reveals not only their motivations but also the often harsh consequences that follow when women stand up to powerful institutions to tell the truth.
14.00 – 15.30
Implementing the EU Whistleblowing Directive: Implications for Ireland, Member States, Employers and Citizens
Five years since the adoption of the EU Directive on Whistleblowing, this session will explore the ongoing transposition and implementation of these groundbreaking new rules. Join a panel of renowned experts as they present key research and insights into Ireland’s approach and the progress across EU Member States, examine new whistleblower protections throughout Europe, and discuss ongoing challenges and developments in enforcement.
Panellists:
• Marie Terracol – Whistleblower Protection Lead, Transparency International
• Dr Simon Gerdemann – Legal Scholar, University of Gottingen
• Dr Vigjilenca Abazi – Founder, European Whistleblowing Institute
Moderator: Ida Nowers – Knowledge and Policy Manager, Transparency International Ireland
15:30 – 16:00
Closing Session: Summary of What We Have Learned with Conference Partners
In this final closing presentation, we will reflect on the insights, strategies, and practical knowledge shared throughout the IAW Week 2024 conference. Join us for a comprehensive summary of key takeaways, highlighting emerging themes, actionable steps, and future directions for strengthening whistleblower protections and promoting workplace integrity.
Presenter: Kate O’Hara – Programme Manager, Integrity at Work, Transparency International Ireland