Consider youth role in corruption fight

The Editor, Sir:

The Gleaner of Sunday, November 14, carried a very interesting report by Tyrone Reid titled 'Crusade against secrecy - public barred from viewing financial disclosures of elected officials'. It makes reference, inter alia to the 14th International Anti-Corruption Conference which brought together to Bangkok more than 1,200 representatives from 135 countries. That meeting was attended by Contractor General Greg Christie who supported a move towards public disclosure, in the name of transparency and accountability, of parliamentarians who might be involved in corrupt activities.

As a participant in the above Bangkok conference, I wish to refer to an important idea, relevant also for Jamaica, which emerged from the inspiring deliberations of this successful meeting.

Promoting integrity

Many participants focused on the fundamental role of youth in promoting integrity through values education, in preventing and curbing corruption and strengthening accountability. Engagement and solidarity were highlighted as crucial tools for facilitating the mobilisation of people in grass-roots campaigns and for the empowerment of others, including the younger generation.

Systemic change can be meaningfully achieved only when people really become an active part of the anti-corruption process. However, it was recognised that for giving tangibility to this aspiration people need time, fresh new ideas and a vibrant civic space in order to be able to change the rules of the game for the future of the anti-corruption movement. This may be valid also in the case of parliamentarians in any country.

I am, etc.,

DR IOAN VOICU

ioanvoicu@yahoo.com

Assumption University,

Bangkok