Let’s fight corruption

Last Sunday, December 9, was International Anti-Corruption Day. Around the world anti-corruption activists highlighted that no country is immune to the effects of corruption.

Most countries are making too little progress in ending corruption, as we saw in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2017 and SWS Surveys in the Philippines. Similarly, the G20 is moving too slowly on implementing its anti-corruption commitments, and OECD members are not actively enforcing laws against bribing abroad. Even some UN agencies, like the International Maritime Organization (IMO), are not doing enough to combat corruption.

As UN Secretary-General António Guterres said: “The World Economic Forum estimates that the cost of corruption is at least US$2.6 trillion — or 5 per cent of global gross domestic product... Corruption begets more corruption and fosters a corrosive culture of impunity.”

This might sound all doom and gloom, but there is hope.

Ordinary citizens all over the world are coming together to fight back against corruption and they are making a real difference.  And there are many ways the YOUTH can get involved:

1. Follow the money. Governments have vast sums of public money to spend and this can pose a serious corruption risk. By keeping tabs on government expenditure, you can help shed light on how Philippine taxes are being spent and expose any abuses. You can also join the Integrity Circles that are being set up with various LGUs throughout the country, as a result of the Integrity for Jobs project, financially supported by the European Commission and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

2. Count supplies. Schools receive lots of supplies from government, like textbooks, lab equipment or other classroom necessities. It’s not rocket science to keep track of this. It just takes commitment and transparency. Ask to see how many Bunsen burners are supposed to be in the biology labs and if the numbers don’t add up – ask what’s happened.

3. Tech solutions. If you're tech-savvy, you can help communities document cases of corruption by developing reporting platforms on the web or through mobile apps. Social media, in particular, is an effective way to address corruption in real-time.

4. Comics and cartoons. Comics are a powerful way of raising awareness about anti-corruption. Through a combination of images and text, comics can also help spark debate – and they are easy to produce. All you need is a pen and paper.

5. Sports. What’s your favorite sport? From running against corruption to scoring a goal for transparency, you can raise your community’s anti-corruption awareness through any sport you want. It’s time that the Integrity Initiative starts Integrity Runs again!

6. Youth groups. Youth groups share their disapproval of corruption and are found at local and national levels. Different groups have different goals, but they have one thing in common: a willingness to talk openly about their opposition to corruption and raise awareness about its adverse effects on society. These groups can be formed to take part in a one-off event, around a single issue – stopping bribery for grades in school, for example –or for longer term campaigns.

7. Protests. Protest events are a way for citizens and groups to come together in public to show large scale support for or opposition to a particular issue. Protests, marches, demonstrations and rallies can be a powerful tool for anti-corruption campaigners.

8. Petitions. A petition is a collection of signatures from people supporting your cause. That petition is then presented to decision makers – like government or education officials – that have the power to create the change you want. We have a good example at the Integrity Initiative – our Integrity Pledge for Organizations and for Individuals.

9. Election pledges. Politicians may be running for office – but they shouldn’t be able to hide. During the lead-up to elections, candidates are in the spotlight and this is a good time to hold them accountable for their campaigning and election promises. You can ask your local candidates to sign a pledge against corruption (for instance the Integrity Pledge mentioned under 8. above) and agree to take specific steps to stop corruption. They can, for example, pledge not to buy or sell votes during the election, a very common form of corruption. And young voters should definitely not sell their votes!

10. Crowdsourcing election monitoring. Tweet. Text. E-mail. From accessing your mobile phone to surfing the web on your computer, it’s never been easier or quicker to monitor elections in real-time. Through online crowdsourcing you can let the world know of voting irregularities in your country with just a few clicks. Some of the information can even be plotted onto an interactive map online, allowing you also to see what others in your community are reporting.

Let me conclude with a note of caution. There is risk in exposing people involved in corruption. Work in a group rather than alone. And remember: The youth deserve an end to corruption. Young people are not just our future; they are key to creating a just, peaceful and prosperous world.