Cairo, Egypt, 19 December 2024
“Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity” lies at the heart of the International Anti-Corruption Day theme, celebrating youth as powerful agents of change in the efforts against corruption. To this end, UNODC and the Administrative Control Authority’s National Anti-Corruption Academy (NACA) in the Arab Republic of Egypt have jointly organized “Integrity Day,” amplifying the role of youth in fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and transparency.
The “Integrity Day” event saw over 50 professors and students from various universities across Egypt, aiming to expand the reach of the Global Resource for Anti-Corruption Education and Youth Empowerment (GRACE) academic modules to university students. The event also provided an opportunity for professors and students trained by UNODC and ACA to share their experiences, lessons learned, and skills gained from the trainings.
Professor Mayada Mostafa from Helwan University highlighted the profound impact of the training on faculty members, “After the training, we made sure to integrate the principles of anti-corruption across all majors at Helwan University. Now students use art to express their rejection of corruption; we support various academic modules from different majors that illustrate corruption, mainstreaming integrity and transparency awareness among our students and graduates.”
The efforts against corruption necessitate robust youth development, which can only be achieved through education and training that equip youth with the knowledge, skills, and awareness of integrity. In this context, “Integrity Day” commemorates the longstanding partnership between UNODC and ACA, which has successfully delivered training of trainers (ToTs) to 26 professors and lecturers on UNODC anti-corruption modules. These trainers then led 9 extensive training programmes on anti-corruption, focusing on business integrity for over 300 university students and assistant professors across Egypt, spanning 22 faculties at 11 private and public universities in 7 governorates, with the support of UNODC, ACA, and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR).
Professor Abdelkarim Mahmoud from Assiut University shared the difference made by the ToTs and lessons learned, “What was unique about the ToTs is that they brought together professors from various academic backgrounds. For example, in my field of accounting and auditing, I applied what I learned to enhance integrity in this area. Moreover, I was able to share this knowledge with students at Assiut University, helping to shape a generation capable of building a future rooted in transparency and integrity.”
UNODC has also promoted regional ownership by contextualizing its anti-corruption modules in collaboration with national counterparts in Egypt, Libya, and Palestine to ensure they align with the unique context of MENA countries, under the GRACE academic modules for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Through this initiative, UNODC has contributed to raising the knowledge threshold among university students in the region, equipping them with the skills necessary to promote ethical decision-making in the public and private sectors, identify and counter corruption in various professional settings, and foster a culture of integrity and accountability among future professionals.
A participating student noted, “I felt I was heard, and my opinion mattered. The training delivery was not one-sided; we were given the space to discuss with senior officials concerned with addressing corruption on a national level, sharing our hopes and aspirations, as well as the daily efforts we make to raise awareness in our local communities about even the most subtle forms of corruption. We were motivated to know that we are active partners in UNODC and ACA’s efforts to counter corruption.”
UNODC, together with ACA, remains committed to supporting youth in spreading integrity and ethical behaviour within their social circles, countering corruption at the grassroots level, and inspire lasting, transformative change across the region.
