The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) was founded in 1997 as a project of the Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to investigative journalism. The idea for ICIJ came from the Center's founder, Charles Lewis, who recognized the need for a global network of journalists to collaborate on cross-border investigations. The goal was to leverage the collective expertise and resources of journalists around the world to uncover stories of global significance that would be difficult for individual news outlets to tackle alone. Today, ICIJ operates as an independent, nonprofit organization, separate from the Center for Public Integrity. Based in Washington, D.C., ICIJ brings together journalists from more than 100 countries to investigate issues such as corruption, money laundering, tax evasion, and human rights abuses. The organization's reporting has covered a wide range of topics, including the Panama Papers, the Paradise Papers, and the Pandora Papers - major leaks of financial documents that have exposed the hidden wealth and offshore activities of politicians, celebrities, and other powerful individuals. While ICIJ's investigations often have political and economic implications, the organization's focus is on uncovering the truth and holding the powerful accountable, rather than promoting any particular ideological agenda. One interesting fact: A unique aspect of ICIJ is its collaborative approach to investigative journalism. The organization does not employ its own reporters; instead, it coordinates teams of journalists from various media outlets around the world to work together on complex, cross-border investigations. This collaborative model allows ICIJ to leverage the expertise and resources of a global network of journalists, resulting in in-depth, impactful stories that have had far-reaching consequences, from triggering government investigations to leading to the resignation of high-profile individuals.