Young ambassadors of integrity from the Republic of Moldova and Romania attended an anticorruption school

July 22, 2019

Photo: UNDP Moldova

30 anticorruption volunteers from Moldova and Romania chose to spend their vacation at the summer school “Youth against corruption”, organized on July 21-28, in the town of Vadul lui Voda. Guided by anticorruption officers from Chisinau and Bucharest, participants will get acquainted with the mechanisms to prevent and combat corruption and illegal practices. Simultaneously, they will work on developing communication products to promote integrity in the field of education and combat practices that generate corruption.

Within the anticorruption school, several information sessions will be organized where young people will have an opportunity to discuss with experts, journalists and civic activists. At the same time, the participants will be instructed how to arrange information activities in the institutions where they learn. The event is organized by the National Anticorruption Center and UNDP within the “Curbing Corruption by Building Sustainable Integrity in Moldova” Project implemented with the financial support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway.

One of the participants of the camp, Catalina Oboroc, a student at the “Stefan cel Mare” Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, believes that young people have a very important role in preventing corruption. “We, the anticorruption volunteers can promote integrity with our own example, which means we’ll never resort to illegal practices. At the same time, we can get involved in reducing corruption through information sessions as well, where we could talk about how dangerous this phenomenon is,” stated the young lady.

Another participant, Ludmila Tcaciuc, student at the Law Faculty of the “A. Russo” University in Balti suggested organizing, together with other faculty colleagues, a series of activities to raise awareness of teachers and students. “The universities that tend to ensure transparency should develop Codes of Ethics, which teachers and students should publicly promise to follow.”

Eduard Groza, student at the “Vasile Lupu’ College in Orhei, said that young people could change the social perception of corruption. “I got involved to help change the vision of other young people on corruption. Anticorruption messages are much more effective when they are transmitted from peer to peer.”

Attending the camp launch event, Dima Al-Khatib, UN Resident Coordinator a.i. and UNDP Resident Representative stated: "The attitude towards corruption prevention has to become a lifestyle. The Sustainable Development Agenda adopted by 190 countries, including the Republic of Moldova, aims to combat corruption and bribe in all their forms, through the SDG 16. In order to advance with this agenda, the efforts of all involved parties are needed, those of the Government, civil society and society in general.”

The Deputy Director of the National Anticorruption Center, Victor Lașcov, stressed that young people have an enormous potential to promote a culture of integrity in the society. “There is a need to capitalize on this potential to change the set of values among the young generation – a just and healthy set of values, which will direct us towards a corruption free environment. NAC supports the initiative and the creative approach of young people in passing anticorruption messages and continues to encourage them to engage in this both interesting and responsible mission”.     

The summer camp “Youth against corruption” is organized with the support of the “Curbing Corruption by Building Sustainable Integrity in Moldova” project, implemented by UNDP in partnership with the National Anticorruption Center, and the Office of the Ombudsman, with the financial support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway. The project will be implemented during 2019-2021 and will contribute to strengthening the capacities of actors in public and private sectors, as well as civil society organizations, for the efficient implementation of corruption prevention tools and standards.

The anticorruption volunteers’ group of the NAC was formed in April. It includes 20 young men and women from different educational institutions of this country. After completion of the summer school, anticorruption volunteers will be involved in information sessions “Corruption as understood by children” conducted by the NAC in many camps for children.