4 July 2024 – Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt
“When I was pursuing my master’s degree, someone offered to write my thesis for a fee. I refused, believing that those aspiring to high positions must act with integrity and transparency.”
The Arab region is home to one of the youngest demographics globally, with nearly half of its population comprised of children and young people, as reported by UNICEF. Corruption affects various sectors and disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations, especially the youth while distorting fair competition and depriving societies of prosperity.
The UNODC MENA Youth Network, launched in April 2024, is dedicated to empowering young people as active agents of change against drugs, violence, and crime through empowerment, meaningful participation, and youth-focused partnerships.
The Network united young people from Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, and Sudan.
Ruba, a 27-year-old legal scholar and Lebanon's representative to the newly launched Youth Network talks about the daily struggles against corruption that many young people encounter, particularly when it comes to employment.
"I hear from friends who can't find jobs, while unqualified people secure positions simply because they are recommended by someone influential. This, too, is corruption." Corruption infiltrates all sectors of society, weaving an intricate system of misconduct.
This reality drives the UNODC GRACE (Global Resource for Anti-Corruption Education and Youth Empowerment) initiative, which operates on three fundamental pillars to counter corruption comprehensively: primary and secondary education, academia and research, and youth empowerment.
Ruba and other representatives from the MENA Youth Network engaged in a regional GRACE workshop designed to boost their awareness about anti-corruption, governance, and integrity to empower youth-led relevant actions in the MENA region.
The workshop culminated in the development of the "MENA Youth 2030 Anti-Corruption Vision" aimed at driving youth-led action in the reduction in corruption by 2030. Ruba added that "we were not only receiving information but also crystallizing it into practical plans that could benefit our communities and countries as a whole. This approach pushes us beyond merely understanding issues to implementing solutions."
"If we don't have properly educated individuals whom we can trust and who are capable, how can we fight corruption?" she questions, highlighting the critical need for reform."By fighting corruption, I see development in all sectors, especially in education. I see fair employment opportunities based on competence, not nepotism. I envision a safe country where youth do not need to go abroad for better job opportunities, a country where the judiciary holds people accountable. I see a stable and peaceful country."
"Hope comes from the youth, who have the energy, time, and spirit to make a change. I have great hope in the UNODC MENA Youth Network that we are forming to unite us all with one purpose," Ruba concludes.
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The workshop was part of the “Youth 4 Impact” regional programme to empower and build resilience of youth against crime, violence, and drugs. Since its inception in 2022, "Youth 4 Impact" has positively impacted the lives of more than 67,990 individuals across the region (2022-2023). The programme is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Development and Economic Cooperation (BMZ).
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