Today, the Forum for the Promotion of Academic Integrity in Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan brought together educators, policymakers, and youth to explore ways to create a corruption-free educational environment. Held in Astana, the event marked International Anti-Corruption Day under the global theme “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow's Integrity.”
The forum was co-organized by the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Academic Integrity League, and Maqsut Narikbayev University, with support from UNODC.
Mr. Oliver Stolpe, UNODC Regional Representative for Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran and Pakistan, emphasized the role of youth in combating corruption, stating:
"Academic integrity is the foundation of ethical governance and responsible citizenship. By empowering students with the tools to reject corruption, we nurture future leaders committed to transparency and accountability."
As part of the event, participants discussed the international and local practices for strengthening anti-corruption tools and integrating them into the training curricula of educational institutions. For example, more than 130 students at Narxoz University in Kazakhstan have already enrolled in a course based on UNODC’s GRACE initiative modules for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Mr. Askhat Zhumagali, Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan, highlighted the often-overlooked roots of corruption:
"Corruption isn’t just the large-scale scandals we watch on TV. It begins with the smallest actions – cutting corners, skipping rules, or tolerating unethical behavior. Addressing these everyday choices is crucial for creating a society built on integrity."
The forum underscored that corruption disproportionately impacts women and girls in education, limiting their access to safe and equitable learning environments. Speakers called for embedding gender-sensitive approaches into anti-corruption efforts to ensure inclusivity and fairness.
Through initiatives like the Anti-Corruption Youth Summer Schools and GRACE, UNODC, together with its partners in Kazakhstan, is creating a generation that values integrity. The forum highlighted those fostering partnerships between academic institutions and civil society is essential to sustain this momentum.
As the event concluded, participants echoed a shared commitment to champion academic integrity, nurture ethical leadership, and unite in building a corruption-free future.
Together, we can empower youth to lead the way toward a more just and transparent world.
