Anti-Corruption – It starts with YOUth!

international | miscellaneous | press release Friday March 20, 2015 01:33 by Jason Deegan - Anti-Corruption International inquire.aci at gmail dot com

Have you ever witnessed a revolutionary idea that develops into an action and spreads globally, gathering more than 150 young people from all around the world with passion and dedication to make the world a better place? If you haven't, now is the right time to pay attention because a positive change is about to happen and it is called Anti-Corruption International.

Anti-Corruption International (ACI) is an innovative non-profit and non-governmental organization created by students to tackle and bring down corruption globally. The main goal of ACI is to bring together the youth from all around the world and raise awareness about corruption-related issues, expose practices of corruption and develop ideas of fighting it in an open, engaging and encouraging environment. Traditionally, corruption has been defined as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, but corruption also represents a contagious disease of the society that disables it from progressing. Even though corruption is everywhere – at universities, hospitals, courts, public transportation, etc. people are reluctant to share their stories and seek justice. They state fear as a major constraint in exposing corruption while governments blame lack of anti-corruption mechanisms and legislation to fight this global phenomenon. Therefore, ACI’s main agenda is also to research, investigate and expose corrupt practices along with providing support and information for students and young people around the globe battling corruption in all forms. At the same time, ACI, represents a platform for the youth to share their corruption related concerns, stories and experiences. In order to raise awareness about the negative effects of corruption, ACI intends to educate people about the destructive impact of this menace on overall human development.

The idea for ACI was born during the International Student Festival in Trondheim (ISFiT) 2015 that gathered 450 individuals from 110 countries to discuss corruption and trade ideas. While being divided into different thematic workshops, students from all around the world shared their experiences and deepened the understanding of corruption across cultures. Besides the productive workshop discussions, students at ISFiT 2015 received great support from prominent individuals and organizations that work in this field which in turn boosted the encouragement for the creation of ACI.

Anti-Corruption International is going to be registered in Norway but what makes the organisation truly unique is that its activists come from all over the world and hence it has a global impact. ACI aims to encourage and conduct research on the prevalence, causes and effects of corruption around the world and utilise it to help governing agencies create anti-corruption mechanisms in general and in specific sectors. ACI is planning to cooperate with national and local authorities as well as regional and international organizations to ensure that the voices of the youth in matters related to corruption is heard. Corruption has evolved into a complex problem and can be found in all segments of our society, therefore, ACI plans to tackle corruption by working in specific thematic areas but not limited to - Judiciary, Health, Education, Media etc.

Anti-Corruption starts with YOUth and now is the right time to stop observing and become the agent of change you wish to see in the world. Anyone in the age group of 18-35 irrespective of their geographical location can become a member of ACI. There is no fee required to pay or any kind of eligibility criteria to meet. What matters is one’s good will and passion to stop corruption.

There are several ways to contact ACI and stay updated with our work: The official website is where you can find all the necessary information along with our Facebook page and Twitter. You can also write us a mail at the following address: [email protected].

On March 20, 2015, with the official launch of Anti-Corruption International we will start making a global impact in combating corruption. And you, what are you waiting for? #CheckInAgainstCorruption and join us.