By Sasha Pei-Silovo – EM TV Online
Youth from around the Pacific are urged to take part in the anti-corruption photo contest, in the lead up to the Pacific Youth against Corruption Forum in Fiji next month. The photo contest is being run on the Pacific Youth Council Facebook page and open to youth between the ages of 15 and 30.
To enter the contest, young people must capture images of the impact of corruption, or corrupt activities, on their communities, and nation at large. The effects of corruption are many, which greatly affect youths throughout the Pacific.
The closing date for entries is January 30, 2015 and three winners will be selected. The successful entries win an all-expense paid trip to Fiji to attend, and participate in, the Pacific Youth against Corruption Forum in February.
The anti-corruption photo contest is being implemented by the United Nations Development Program and the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime in partnership with the Pacific Youth Forum; to build momentum towards the upcoming inaugural Youth Forum to be held in Nadi, Fiji from Feb 22 to 24.
Forty-five young Pacific leaders, between the ages of 18 and 25, will converge at the forum aimed at examining ways to address corruption. Papua New Guinea will participate at the forum, along with Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Samoa.
Annika Wythes, United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime or UNODC specialist said:
“Through engaging in the contest, we expect young people to start to become more engaged in the fight against corruption and we are asking them to upload on Facebook an image that best captures corruption in their community or nation.”
The United Nations Development Program and the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime have pledged full support towards getting the voice of the youth heard throughout the Pacific; and in assisting marginalised people in also having their thoughts and concerns voiced on corruption and the effect it has on their lives.
“We really want to encourage young people to participate in the contest and be part of the Pacific youth voice against corruption” said Peter Batchelor, manager of the United Nations Development Program or UNDP Pacific Center.
The support is being provided under the U.N. Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption project which is a four-year initiative funded by the Australian government.
