International Anti-Corruption Day 2024; December 9th.

FORUM: "Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow's Integrity." International Anti-Corruption Day 2024. The theme will underscore the vital role of young people in driving change, promoting transparency and building a future rooted in integrity. Young people have dreams and aspirations, but corruption erodes the fabric of society, stifles progress and deprives them of educational opportunities, job prospects, engagement in public life, success in sports and access to healthcare and other essential services. Additionally, it contributes to environmental degradation and climate destruction. Our world confronts numerous challenges, tragedies, inequalities and injustices, many of which are tied to corruption. With 1.9 billion young people in the world, fighting corruption is vital for the future of nearly a quarter of the global population. While young people are significantly affected by corruption, they also have the potential to become powerful agents of change in the fight for a future rooted in integrity. Young people must demand accountability and actively participate in anti-corruption efforts. To effectively promote a culture of integrity across the public and private sectors and build a generation that stands up to corruption, education is key. It teaches values of transparency, accountability and integrity from an early age. By promoting integrity and ethical behaviour within their social circles and challenging small-scale corruption at the community level, young people can drive meaningful change. Additionally, they can develop innovative solutions to address corruption on a global scale. Tech-savvy youth can leverage technologies such as blockchain, AI, online platforms, social media and innovative apps to enhance transparency, increase access to information and create tools that facilitate anonymous reporting of corrupt practices. We must actively listen to young people, as their ideas today may hold the key to the best solutions for combating corruption and strengthening integrity tomorrow. Young integrity leaders play a vital role in advocating for dismantling institutional structures that enable corruption, pushing for greater transparency and accountability. Through active participation and reforms, they help create corruption-resilient institutions that reject unethical behaviour. Addressing corruption leads to a fairer, more transparent society where young individuals have equal opportunities to achieve their dreams. This effort builds trust in institutions and inspires the next generation to actively contribute to creating a better future. Young people have a clear vision and innovative ideas for a future free from corruption. We must give them a seat at the table, listen to their voices, and involve them in the process. By empowering youth to actively engage and help lead future anti-corruption efforts, we can create lasting change. Building a just world and a sustainable planet is only possible if corruption doesn’t stand in the way. United, we can combat corruption. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #9December, #UnitedAgainstCorruption, #IACD2024.

EVENT: On December 9th, the UNODC Corruption and Economic Crime Branch and UNDP Global Anti-Corruption Programme will held a webinar to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day 2024. The objective of this event is to bring together youth representatives, Member States and UN officials to explore how to empower young people to contribute to preventing and fighting corruption. It will be divided into two segments:

Panel 1 - Young people as integrity builders: Successes and lessons learned from youth engagement and education. The panel will be composed of youth representatives, Member States, anti-corruption experts and academia. It aims to (a) highlight recent progress and successes in engaging young people in anti-corruption efforts, as well as in anti-corruption education; and (b) identify how the United Nations can further efforts to build a culture of integrity both at the international and national levels.

Panel 2 - Shaping tomorrow's integrity in conflict and fragile settings: Introduction of the APTI initiative and focus on the role of young people. The panel will be composed of youth representatives, Member States and United Nations officials with experience in facing and addressing corruption in fragile and conflict-affected settings. The panel will build on a presentation of the UN-led initiative "Achieving Peace Through Integrity" (APTI). Speakers are invited to offer their views on how the United Nations should build on youth engagement and anti-corruption education across its anti-corruption engagement, in order to further peace and security.

Get the Agenda programme and watch the livestream!

WRITING COMPETITION: In July 2024, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) launched an international essay writing competition through its Global Resource for Anti-Corruption Education and Youth Empowerment (GRACE) initiative. The competition invited young people from around the world to share how corruption impacts their lives, families, and communities, as well as how civil society in their countries or communities works to prevent and combat corruption. After reviewing a total of 1,331 essay submissions from more than 100 countries, the GRACE initiative selected 26 winners, representing 21 countries across all regions of the world. Learn more!

STATEMENTS: Read the Statement from the UNDP Administrator on International Anti-Corruption Day 2024; December 9th and the Statement from the UNODC Executive Director on International Anti-corruption Day 2024; December 9th.