International Anti-Corruption Day Celebrations

International Anti-Corruption Day will be celebrated around the globe on 9 December 2012 and Transparency International (TI) Fiji will use the annual event to promote its message “Say yes to integrity and no to corruption."

TI Fiji’s anti-corruption events and promotions will be aimed at building a stronger awareness on the problems of corruption and how individuals can be empowered to say “no” when they encounter corruption. Strengthening relationships with other local and international organisations in the fight against corruption will also be a focus of the planned activities.

The first of the scheduled activities, on Tuesday 4 December, will provide an opportunity for TI Fiji and local organisations to discuss cases of corruption brought to TI Fiji by citizens over the past three years. Representatives from Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF), the Lands Department, Department of Social Welfare, Consumer Council of Fiji, Chief Registrars Office, and Fiji Police Force have been invited to a roundtable discussion to share ideas and experiences on the fight against corruption in Fiji.

Davina Chan, Programme Director for TI Fiji’s Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre said “The roundtable discussions will provide an opportunity for key public-facing organisations to openly discuss how we can work together to build solutions of benefit to all citizens.  TI Fiji held a similar event as part of last year’s Anti-Corruption Day celebrations, which all attendees found valuable, so we’re looking forward to another great opportunity for everyone to share their experiences and knowledge.”

The launch of TI Fiji’s new anti-corruption youth group, VoSOTA (Voices Speaking Out for Transparency and Accountability), will be held on Wednesday 5 December. Youth from around Suva have been invited to a relaxed evening, with the opportunity to learn about the effects of corruption and their potential role in the anti corruption movement.

Fenton Lutunatabua, Programme Coordinator for TI Fiji’s Youth Integrity Promotion (YIP) Programme will be facilitating the launch. “Not only will we be encouraging youth to look at their potential role, but we’re also going to introduce them to thinking of addressing the issues of corruption in more creative ways, using the arts, music, dance, theatre, poetry and so on,” said Fenton.

TI Fiji will also join FICAC’s Anti-Corruption Day event in Churchill Park, Lautoka, on Friday 7 December. With the 2012 Anti-Corruption Day theme, “ACT Against Corruption Today”, TI Fiji will join representatives from FICAC, the Fiji Police Force, Ministry of Education, Fiji Revenue & Customs Authority (FRCA) and the Lautoka City Council, in a full day of entertainment, education and music.

TI Fiji’s awareness campaign at Village Six, in Suva, will also be running throughout December, to promote the anti-corruption message.

December 9 is recognized as International Anti-Corruption Day in the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. Fiji agreed to be legally bound to the UN Convention Against Corruption in May 2008.