Cyprus Integrity Forum: The board members share their vision of a transparent and corruption-free society

The Cyprus Integrity Forum (CIF) was established in 2010 as an independent, non-governmental, non-partisan and non-profit organisation.

It collaborates with entities in Cyprus, Europe and the USA to foster ethical practices and accountability at all levels of society. Here, the nine members of the CIF Board express their views on the importance of the organisation and share their vision of a sustainable, transparent and corruption-free society.

Marios M. Skandalis (Chairman)

“The CIF does not merely aim to raise basic awareness and add our own voice to that of many others, in support of transparency and combatting corruption. We aspire to be a real catalyst in building an ecosystem of sustainable social equity, environmental integrity and financial prosperity for future generations. We are committed to being the driver of a world where ethics is integrated into the very DNA of every individual.”

Elena Tanou (Vice-Chair)

“The CIF aims to raise public awareness and drive initiatives to curb corruption in political and commercial enterprises. We provide a platform on which diverse stakeholders meet and discuss in depth, guarding against hidden agendas to bring tangible real-world results to both the public and the business domain. As the saying goes, Caesar's wife must be above suspicion, so instead of attracting negative attention, decision-makers must show real integrity.”

Nicholas Shiakallis (Treasurer)

“At the CIF, we are committed to promoting transparency. Guided by our core values – transparency, accountability, integrity, solidarity, courage, justice and democracy – we strive to help build trust in society, foster transparency between businesses and ensure clear communication between the Government and the private sector. Achieving financial clarity and transparency is a key priority for us and we work closely with our partners in society to accomplish this goal.”

Branka van der Linden (Secretary)

“Corruption erodes trust, weakens institutions and threatens progress. At the CIF, we take a firm stand against unethical practices, working to promote transparency, accountability and ethical leadership, which paves the way for meaningful change. One of my favourite quotes perfectly embodies this: If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters. Our actions today shape tomorrow’s world and we owe it to future generations to lead with integrity.”

Maria Loizou (Member)

“At the CIF, we envision a brighter, corruption-free future for our children and the generations to come. We work alongside key stakeholders to promote transparency, accountability, integrity, justice and democracy now and in the years ahead. We are dedicated to educating young people about these core values and the importance of ethical decision-making. After all, as the saying goes, prevention is always better than cure!”

Aphrodite Kyriakou (Member)

“The CIF is committed to promoting transparency and combating corruption, with a focus on creating sustainable social equity, environmental integrity and financial prosperity for future generations. A core part of its mission is embedding ethics into daily practices. Through training, workshops and seminars, it empowers individuals to recognise and address ethical dilemmas, both professional and personal. This helps cultivate a culture of transparency, accountability and ethical decision-making.”

Dimitris Katopodis (Member)

“The CIF is a leading advocate for transparency, accountability and ethical governance. I view our role as crucial in nurturing a culture of integrity across all sectors – public and private – and civil society. My vision is for the CIF to expand its influence, strengthen anti-corruption frameworks and drive impactful policy reform. We must focus on improving education, corporate compliance and whistleblower protection, ensuring that integrity becomes a fundamental value in our society.”

Rovertos Yiousellis (Member)

“The CIF stands as a beacon of integrity, championing transparency and the fight against corruption, while actively cultivating a culture where ethical values are deeply embedded in every facet of society. Our mission transcends mere awareness; we strive to drive real change by fostering a sustainable environment of accountability, fairness and long-term prosperity. We are working towards a future where ethical leadership is not just an aspiration but a fundamental pillar of our social and economic fabric.”

Dr Stelios Hadjichristofis (Member)

“The CIF is driven by individuals who uphold honesty and strong moral principles and are steadfast in their commitment to integrity. As the medical arm of the CIF, we have launched a campaign against corruption in medicine. I firmly believe that if we can eliminate corruption within the medical field, we can tackle broader corruption challenges for the benefit of all. We call for an international campaign to unite voices and efforts in this fight. Join your voices and efforts with us.”

(Photo by TASPHO, featuring, left to right, Maria Loizou, Branka van der Linden, Nicholas Shiakallis, Aphrodite Kyriakou, Dimitris Katopodis, Elena Tanou, Marios M. Skandalis, Rovertos Yiousellis and Dr Stelios Hadjichristofis)

This article first appeared in the February edition of GOLD magazine. Click here to view it.