“You can do it all!” Saliman Nasypbekova encourages youth to take action in fighting
corruption
In July 2024, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) launched an international essay-writing competition as part of 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 affects their lives, families, and communities, as well as how civil society in their countries or communities works to prevent and combat corruption.
A total of 1,331 essays were submitted from participants representing more than 100 countries. Among the winners was Saliman Nasypbekova, the youngest contest participant from Kyrgyzstan. We had the opportunity to interview her and are excited to share the story of her success.
Q: Tell me a little bit about yourself, where you are from, and what you do.
A: Hello! My name is Saliman, I’m from Kyrgyzstan. I’m currently on a gap year after high school, mostly teaching English, going through college applications & developing my environmental and social projects!
I have had the privilege to represent Kyrgyzstan as a musician in Turkiye, win a FLEX scholarship from the US government to be an exchange student for a year, and work with EU, UNESCO, and other amazing organizations throughout my life.
I love to read, learn, record silly videos for YouTube, and travel. I also enjoy connecting with diverse people from across the globe, learning their language or facts about their culture. My biggest dream and goal is to get my Master’s/PhD in 8 years, travel a lot, and work on international level projects & organizations that can make a positive impact!
My motto is to keep shining and being kind to everyone, no matter the circumstances. I believe that empathy can change the world for the better :)
Q: Why did you decide to submit your essay to the international anti-corruption essay competition, and what kind of changes do you hope to see?
I saw an announcement about the competition literally two days before the deadline. To write an essay, I usually need to mentally prepare myself, do the research, and start writing & editing — a whole process. It always takes time. However, on this occasion, the second I created a Google Document, words were flowing, sentences connecting, and new ideas were forming.
The topic of integrity, especially social and political, is important to me on a personal level. I believe that every leader should lead to bring positive changes, put their team’s/nation’s well-being first, and never do something for their own good if it harms others. I have been seeing lots of news about corrupt people getting arrested and it motivated me to participate in this contest. It made me reflect on how corruption affects the lives of ordinary people and stagnates the growth of countries in the world. This contest allowed me to express my aspirations for the future of integrity, justice, and equal opportunity. For me, it was more than just a participation, it was actually my way of contributing to a larger conversation.
In my essay, I envisioned Kyrgyzstan—and a world—where transparency and accountability becomes the norm, not the exception. A future where leaders serve their people selflessly, where justice is fair, and where young people like me have the opportunity to thrive. Through my essay, I hoped to show that the youth are not indifferent; we are watching, we are engaged, and we are determined to shape a brighter tomorrow.
Q: Could you tell us about your experience in Vienna? How did you feel to meet young people from around the world?
A: Although it wasn’t my first time working with such a diverse group, my time in Vienna was one of the most inspiring and memorable experiences I’ve ever had. During the workshops, we were able to share our stories, work in groups for the common good, and participate in engaging conversations with people from different fields both in UNODC, GRACE, and even the Austrian government.
Personally, I found the lectures very informative and useful, as they were expanding on the topic of corruption in different sectors, such as education, environment, and public policy. Learning about successful anti-corruption strategies from the Austrian government, I’m excited to apply them in my future regional projects that will directly benefit Central Asia and my home country.
The workshop provided an incredible platform to connect with my passionate peers from around the world. Not only was it interesting to hear different perspectives on certain issues, but I also very much enjoyed our informal discussions and city-walks together. Our conversations opened my eyes to both the challenges and innovative solutions that young people are implementing in all corners of the globe. I was especially inspired by the passion and creativity of the participants, which strengthened my belief in the power of youth to drive meaningful change. Most of the people at the event were finishing up with their BAs and MAs or in the process of completing their PhDs — I loved how driven and focused they are. Everyone was so wise and kind to me, and I, as the youngest participant, gained so much motivation to move forward and fulfill my dreams.
[After hearing that the average number of languages known by my fellow colleagues is 4-5, I decided that three languages I know is not enough anymore, and I need to continue learning lol :)]
Looking back, I truly miss everything that has happened in a short course of 4 days, and I’m so grateful to the UNODC & GRACE initiative for this golden opportunity to learn, grow, and connect. I hope we continue working together, and will be able to see each other soon. Let’s continue celebrating our differences, similarities, wins and achievements, and stay in touch. I’m so excited to see the amazing contributions we’ll bring to the world! I hope everyone will also remember that now they have a friend in Kyrgyzstan too!
Q: Why do you think young people should be involved in the design and implementation of anti-corruption efforts?
A: Simply put, young people are tomorrow’s future. We are the ones who will inherit the consequences of today’s decisions, so I believe it’s crucial for us to have a word in this conversation. Young people are bold, passionate, and those who are not afraid to dream big, aim big, and solve big. We bring fresh perspectives, ideas, and a special energy to the table. With tools like social media in our hands, we can achieve so much more if we get to participate in the decision-making process.
When we are included, it’s not just about ticking a box — it’s also about making policies that reflect our real priorities. Empowering youth also creates a culture of integrity, where we can grow up valuing fairness and accountability. At the end of the day, involving young people shouldn’t be an option, but a need, if the world wants a lasting change. Youth is ready to participate, we just need a chance to prove it!
Q: What message would you like to share with young people like yourself?
A: Never, ever in your life underestimate your own voice. Always believe in yourself and trust your gut feeling. It’s easy to feel small and feel like you take a tiny part in the system that you can’t control or change.
However, I want everyone to remember that change starts with small actions. Be it anti-corruption efforts, gender equality policies, environmental sustainability initiatives — even speaking up to protect your own rights — it is so important to express yourself and convey your values. Seemingly little commitments like sharing your ideas, volunteering, holding yourself and others accountable can always lead to bigger outcomes on an international level. Just trust your journey!
Also, don’t be afraid to think boldly - dream on. Surround yourself with people who won’t laugh at you when you say you want to work in the parliament or United Nations, learn all languages or visit all countries and travel to the Moon. Sometimes we limit ourselves because we think we’re “too young” or “not experienced enough”, but that’s exactly why we would bring new ideas and solutions to a project. Use your skills, your energy, and actions to take up the challenge. Remember, you’re not alone. There are around 8 billion people on the Earth, and some of them have the same hopes and aspirations to support each other and achieve their goals. Together we can do so much more.
Please, be kind to yourself and others - we are all living this life for the first time, and we all need some support and encouragement. And remember, you can do it all!
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Youth empowerment is a cross-cutting commitment of UNODC. We work on involving young people in problem-solving and uplifting their voices in decision-making processes. We are committed to working directly with youth, academia, civil society, and governments to promote innovative ways to address and prevent corruption in the short and long term.
The objective of the GRACE initiative is to promote a culture of integrity around the world, by employing a whole-of-society approach to prevent and counter corruption with a view to empowering the next generation to become ethical leaders of tomorrow.
The interview was written by Vasilina Brazhko, UNODC Communications Analyst. For more information I can be reached at +996775987817 WhatsApp
