UNITED Nations anti-corruption adviser Annika Wythes will address young people at Sukuna Park in Suva tomorrow (Tuesday) evening at their celebration of the International Anti-Corruption Day.
Ms Wythes, Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser for the Pacific for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Suva, will be hosted by the Youths For Integrity (YFI) volunteer network of Transparency International Fiji.
YFI in the last month organised an art and creative writing competition, to lead up to this celebration of the International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9.
The competition, hashtagged #integrity679, centred on anti-corruption, transparency and accountability, and the effects of corruption on the country and especially on women. It was open to creative people who are interested in art and craft, including poems, plays, songs, painting and all kinds of craft. There were three (3) categories: Kaji (14 years & under); Youths (15 – 35); and Rural Women. Entries were to be submitted in English, Hindi or ITaukei languages, on soft or hard copy.
“Youths For Integrity was set up during the International Anti-Corruption Day celebration in Suva last year,” said Faranisese Ratu, President of Youths For Integrity (YFI).
“We’re pleased that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP in Suva once again has agreed to sponsor our YFI International Anti-Corruption Day celebration in 2014.
“This is an opportune time to gauge the participation of young people in promoting integrity in personal and public life. The competition this year encourages the active participation of youth and women in anti-corruption activities.” she said.
Ms Ratu said that Transparency International research undertaken in 2012 in the Asia Pacific region showed that youth face an “integrity crisis” — that in order to succeed in life; they believe they need to compromise on their values.
Four thousand (4,000) young people (15 – 30 years old) from four (4) countries – Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Fiji – took part in the regional survey. More than 60 per cent said they would engage in corruption for personal gain. A third of the young people interviewed think that cheating increases the likelihood of success.
More than 80 per cent say they believe that youth can take action against corruption. A Transparency International Fiji statement said these survey findings are the reasons for engaging young people in anti-corruption work. TI defines Corruption as the “abuse of entrusted power for private gain”.
In contrast, Integrity is “behaviours and actions consistent with a set or moral or ethical principles and standards, embraced by individuals as well as institutions, that create a barrier to corruption”.
Accountability is the related concept that individuals, agencies and organisations (public, private and civil society) are held responsible for executing their powers properly.
For more information on the celebration, the contacts are:
Email: youthsforintegrityfiji@gmail.com
Faranisese Ratu, President YFI,
Phone: 9749071/7481958
MEDIA RELEASE