On International Anti-Corruption Day: UNODC Unites with Youth Against Corruption Across the MENA Region

MENA Region, 19 December 2024

On International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD), observed annually on December 9th, UNODC led and supported key events across the Middle East and North Africa region. This day serves as a global reminder to stand united against corruption and highlights the key role of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in fostering systemic change and promoting accountability. This year’s theme, “Uniting with Youth against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” highlights the transformative power of youth in driving transparency and building a future rooted in integrity. Reflecting this vision, UNODC’s Regional Office for the MENA region prioritized youth as key to its anti-corruption efforts, implementing a range of targeted regional initiatives and country-specific activities across Egypt, Iraq, Libya, and beyond.

Egypt’s Integrity Day: Empowering Youth Through Education

In collaboration with the Administrative Control Authority (ACA), UNODC organized “Integrity Day” on December 10th, focusing on equipping university students with tools to promote integrity. The event highlighted the Global Resource for Anti-Corruption Education and Youth Empowerment (GRACE) academic modules, designed to integrate anti-corruption principles into higher education curricula. Professors and students trained by UNODC and ACA shared their experiences, lessons learned, and the skills they acquired, focusing on ethical decision-making in public and private sectors and enhancing their ability to identify and address corruption across various professional environments.

Iraq’s Civic Festival: Amplifying Youth Voices Through Art

On December 9th, UNODC participated in Iraq’s Civic Festival to underline the devastating impact of corruption on young people’s aspirations, including their access to quality education, employment, and civic participation. This event acknowledged the long-standing partnership between Iraq and UN agencies, including UNODC, which has been actively collaborating with Iraqi authorities to strengthen anti-corruption efforts. This includes advancing investigations and prosecutions of corruption cases and enhancing the transparency of government agencies. The festival also showcased the creativity and resilience of youth through interactive activities, fostering dialogue and inspiring collective action to counter corruption.

Libya: Contextualizing Anti-Corruption Education

UNODC participated in the Second International Conference on Fighting Corruption in Libya from December 8–10, reflecting on the successful contextualization of GRACE academic modules to the Libyan context, ensuring their relevance and coherence. This initiative, built on the strong collaboration between UNODC and Libyan authorities, underscores a shared commitment to countering corruption and money laundering while equipping youth with tools to lead future reforms.

MENA Youth Network: Virtual Dialogue on Youth-Led Anti-Corruption Initiatives

Meanwhile, on December 9th, UNODC and the Youth Network for the Middle East and North Africa convened virtually to celebrate IACD and to emphasize the critical role of young people as agents of change in the efforts against corruption. The UNODC MENA Youth Network empowers youth to actively address corruption through three key pillars: empowerment, meaningful participation, and youth-centered partnerships and networking. The initiative also encourages young people across the region to join forces with UNODC in promoting integrity and anti-corruption values within their communities. During the webinar, participants discussed anti-corruption efforts and the transformative power of education in fostering a culture of accountability.

United Nations

UNODC ROMENA

On International Anti-Corruption Day: UNODC Unites with Youth Against Corruption Across the MENA Region

Egypt’s Integrity Day: Empowering Youth Through Education

Iraq’s Civic Festival: Amplifying Youth Voices Through Art

Libya: Contextualizing Anti-Corruption Education

MENA Youth Network: Virtual Dialogue on Youth-Led Anti-Corruption Initiatives