Corruption manifests itself in overcrowded schools with leaking rooftops, in roads that are so damaged that they become nearly impassable, and in healthcare centers where essential medicines are always out of stock. It lurks in the shadows of public offices where bribes are the norm for basic services, and it thrives in the unchecked power of officials who prioritize personal gain over public good.
In every corner of the globe, the fight against corruption is a battle that affects communities, economies and the very fabric of society. Corruption undermines trust, stifles progress and perpetuates inequality.
Yet, amid these challenges, the youth of today stand as beacons of hope and agents of change. 67 per cent of people believe in a better future, with 15 to 17-year-olds being the most optimistic.
Youth no longer want to be solely victims of corruption – they want to assume their place as trusted anti-corruption partners.
And they want you to become a partner, too, which is why 23 young people from 23 countries, members of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) YouthLED Integrity Advisory Board, came together to produce a step-by-step guide for young advocates to take action against corruption.
“If you are reading this, you are probably worried about the way corruption is affecting your life, your community, your country or region, and you want to do something about it.”
Here are 10 steps young people can take to build an anti-corruption initiative, whether on a community, regional or international level:
Step 1: Educate yourself
Does your government have an anti-corruption plan? Is there a law that protects whistleblowers or people who report corruption?
Corruption manifests itself differently, but there is no country that is immune. The key is to understand the anti-corruption landscape and governance in your country to begin with.
Step 2: Pick a focus
To help narrow down the focus of your initiative and make it more impactful, pick a focus. Whether your initiative relates to the violation of human rights fueled by corruption, access to health services, gender inequality or climate change, pick a topic that you are passionate about.
Step 3: Contextualize
Starting a journey towards a new anti-corruption initiative is not an easy task and may seem overwhelming. But every action against corruption, even small, has the power to generate significant change. For an anti-corruption initiative to speak to people, integrate your local language and culture. The more relatable and closer to the heart your idea is, the more it will inspire other young people. Be creative and talk to people in your community!
Step 4: Design
Once you have developed a better understanding of how corruption manifests itself in the focus area and your chosen context, you are ready to start designing your initiative. State the problem and possible solutions, draw up a plan and identify challenges and risks.
Step 5: Be creative
Now that you have a plan, it’s time to get creative! We need to be innovative and creative to connect to the target groups we speak to – it can be through art, virtual and augmented reality or social media.
Step 6: Find allies
Taking action against corruption requires the efforts of like-minded individuals. Finding allies is important as this creates a collective effort, amplifies the action and generates a holistic and sustainable approach that has all the right attributes to make a lasting change in your community and beyond. A stakeholder analysis is a good starting point.
Step 7: Be inclusive
When designing your anti-corruption initiative, remember to be inclusive and apply gender- and human-rights-based approaches. Think about including the voices of vulnerable groups, the needs of indigenous people and people with disabilities.
Step 8: Be safe
Being an anti-corruption activist can be dangerous. Be aware of your environment and act in a manner that guarantees your physical, mental, personal and professional safety and that of your loved ones. Avoid acting alone or implementing initiatives that can identify you as an individual threat.
Step 9: Educate others
It is important to promote solidarity and build support. Present your strategy to stakeholders, peers, colleagues, friends and family members to raise awareness of your initiative and to encourage participation.
Step 10: Act!
You are all set! It’s now time to implement your initiative and drive meaningful change.
“We do not have all the answers, but we hope, through this toolkit to build a community of young advocates against corruption.”
Further information
Learn more about UNODC YouthLED Integrity Advisory Board: https://grace.unodc.org/grace/en/youth-empowerment/YouthLED.html
Learn more about anti-corruption education: https://www.unodc.org/corruption/en/learn/thematic-areas/Education.html
