Political Corruption

The main forms of corruption are bribery, fraud, embezzlement and extortion. These concepts do sometimes overlap, but through them, some of the basic characteristics of corruption can be identified.

The reason why young people should fight corruption has to do with the fact that it destroys the system of values in society. Youth is part of civil society and carries the future in its hand and the fact that you are able to look at society in a refreshing way allows you to find alternative solutions for abstract problems. This part of the booklet is about concrete initiatives on how to fight corruption. In the whole world, there are many young people who stand firm and choose not take part of the vicious circle of corruption. But still too many young people are not well aware or think that they cannot make a difference. There are many success stories in fighting corruption: it

is not an impossible thing! Of course we cannot expect it to disappear overnight, but every step we undertake contributes to limit its harmful effects! In Hong Kong for instance, through a School Education Program, students are now better aware of the problem of corruption and do not tolerate it any longer.

The International Youth Network against corruption (YNAC)

This network links you to other young people worldwide and gives you the possibilities to air your concerns, to disseminate knowledge about corruption and to share ideas about the best ways to fight corruption. For its purposes, the Youth Network has a website with an interactive e-forum to discuss corruption related questions and to link together with youth from around world. This forum is openly accessible to everyone. The internet portal is designed for students and maintained by their input and content.

2- Responsible organizations: In 2003, an international platform for youth was created in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The IACC12 Youth Forum integrates young people into the international movement for transparency and accountability in public and private spheres. In 2001, the Youth Network Against Corruption, YNAC, was founded in The Hague. Final declaration of the IACC Youth Forum: The participants of the IACC 2003 Youth Forum formulated a final declaration about their vision.

After several days of workshops and discussions, they were able to identify the key issues concerning young people and to draw an Action Plan for their future commitment. Those young people envision “A World without Corruption” and are convinced of the need for an international youth anti-corruption movement. The Youth Action Plan drawn in Seoul includes among the main point that the organization of anti-corruption workshops, presentations and discussions have a predominant position.

Sharing an action plan with other youth, developing the current website to conduct online surveys and share documents, approaching governments to ensure effective civic education programs and implementing the concepts of our network in local institutions are other key issues. The participants also recommend the creation of a corruption index of educational institutions. Perhaps the most important point is the strong will to build linkages with other youth networks so as to be able to work together efficiently and to share experiences and ideas on fighting corruption.

Together, the unique contribution and participation of young people will help enhance good governance through raising both local and global awareness. d- Youth for Good Governance, the World Bank Institute’s nine modules Brief Description: During this distance learning program, students from various countries study important principles of political and economic organization and how those ideas relate to governance and anti-corruption strategies. The program highlights the important role that young people can play in improving governance in their countries.

Ultimately, participants develop locally relevant and feasible plans of action that will enable them to apply the knowledge and skills they acquire to their immediate society. Responsible organization: The World Bank Institute Implementation: The learning program was implemented in three phases between fall 2002 and the end of 2003. Schools in eight countries participated, namely: Ghana, Uganda, Ukraine, United States, Russia, Tanzania, Yugoslavia, and Zambia.