THE GLEANER, MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2024 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | IC FEATURE C2 On this International Anti-Corruption Day, I join the Integrity Commission and the global community in embracing this year’s theme, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity”. This theme highlights the critical role of our youth in championing a future rooted in transparency, accountability, and good governance. Despite Jamaica’s recurring Corruption Perceptions Index score of 44 over the last 4 years, a recent Market Research Services Limited revealed that 65% of participants believe that the country is more corrupt today. Our youth are becoming increasingly intolerant of corruption as it undermines trust in public institutions, stifles economic progress, and erodes the moral foundation of our society. While Jamaica has made strides in addressing these issues through institutions like the Integrity Commission and initiatives aimed at promoting integrity and accountability, a lot more can and needs to be done. Combating corruption requires a unified effort across generations, with our youth playing a pivotal role. Young Jamaicans have the power to lead transformational change by continuing to reject corrupt practices, demanding accountability, and embodying the principles of integrity in their daily lives. By equipping our youth with the tools to recognize and resist corruption, we invest in a future where ethical leadership and transparent governance are the norms. I commend the Integrity Commission for its commitment to educating and engaging citizens, especially young people, in this vital mission. Together, let us continue to strive for a Jamaica where integrity shapes tomorrow’s success. Jamaica joins the rest of the world in the annual observation of International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD). This year, on December 9, the day is being marked under the theme “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity.” Jamaica remains committed to eradicating corruption in our country. This day serves as a poignant reminder of the shared responsibility we all carry in building a society free from the corrosive effects of corruption. International Anti-Corruption Day calls on everyone to be cognizant of the effects of corruption. Indeed, to stamp out corruption from any society requires an integrated approach with government, agencies, the private sector, partners, and citizens working together to build a better society. The Administration that I lead has worked to provide legislative and other support to strengthen anti-corruption laws and policies. This demonstrates the Government’s resolute commitment to upholding the highest standards of governance. The government is committed to expanding public awareness, strengthening investigative capacities, and enhancing technical expertise to ensure a comprehensive approach to tackle corruption at its roots. The government will continue to raise awareness, promote compliance with anti-corruption measures, and improve responsiveness to public concerns. The emphasis on public engagement and education plays a crucial role in empowering citizens to actively participate in this fight, reinforcing the importance of transparency and accountability in governance. Together, we are working towards a future built on integrity, fairness, and ethical leadership. As we work together towards building a corruption-free society, I encourage all Jamaicans to show dedication to this vital cause. The government remains committed to advancing transparency, accountability, and integrity, ensuring that Jamaica upholds the highest standards of ethical governance for future generations. As Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Integrity Commission Oversight Committee of Parliament, I am proud to join the Integrity Commission in this year’s observance of International Anti-Corruption Day under the theme, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity.” Our young people are vital to Jamaica’s fight against corruption. Their energy, creativity, innovation, and values can help to reshape our nation’s governance framework and inspire a culture rooted in transparency and accountability. By fostering awareness and empowering our youth to denounce and defy unethical practices, we ensure a legacy of integrity for generations. The Integrity Commission plays a crucial role in preserving the core values of transparency and accountability by promoting good governance, and fostering honesty in public affairs. With this in mind, we must continue to support this important national institution in the fight against corruption. Today, I encourage all citizens to reflect on the importance of fighting corruption. Whether through individual action or collective effort, we all have a role to play in creating a future built on trust, fairness, and justice. Together, with our youth leading the charge, we can achieve the vision of a corruption-free Jamaica that inspires the entire world. Let us unite in the fight against corruption and embrace integrity as the cornerstone of our democracy. to be done. Combating corruption requires a unified effor of Co Inte them Shapin Our youn corruption values can framework a and accoun empowering o practices, we en The Integrity Comm core values of trans g ist ical e the commitespecially her, let us grity shapes THE PRIME MINISTER Dr. The Most Hon. Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION Mr. Mark Golding, MP CHAIRMAN INTEGRITY COMMISSION PARLIAMENT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE/CHAIRMAN JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE REVIEWING THE INTEGRITY COMMISSION ACT Hon. Edmund Bartlett, OJ, CD, MP J th An Dec the t ruptio remain in our c reminder in building of corruptio International to be cognizan stamp out corru grated approach sector, partners, a better society. The provide legislative a ruption laws and polic resolute commitment governance. The gover “The time is always right to do what is right.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On this International Anti-Corruption Day being celebrated under the theme, “Uniting With Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” the Government of Jamaica embraces the transformative power of our young people in building a future free from corruption. I am a proud member of the Administration that has taken the most significant, tough and deliberate policy decisions to curb corrupt practices in public life. In 2017, under the leadership of Prime Minister, Dr, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, the Government passed the Integrity Commission Act and a year later, operationalised the Integrity Commission. Furthermore, the government has been introducing new pieces of legislation and reviewing and amending existing laws to strengthen anti-corruption measures, improving transparency in public procurement processes and strengthening provisions around the governance of public institutions. The Public Procurement (Amendment) Act (2018), Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act (2019), Major Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency Act (2018), Public Bodies Management and Accountability (Nomination, Selection and Appointment to Boards) Regulations were all piloted under the leadership of Prime Minister Holness. As a government we understand that corruption threatens the very fabric of our society, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable and eroding trust in public institutions and as such we will continue to take bold actions in the fight against corruption. Through education, we can instil in our youth the values of integrity from an early age. By promoting ethical behaviour, challenging corruption within communities, and leveraging technology to enhance transparency, young people can become powerful agents of change. To our youth, I say this: you are the architects of tomorrow. Your voice, your actions, and your commitment to ethical leadership will determine the trajectory of our nation. I encourage you to speak out against corruption, and embrace your role as stewards of change. Together, this generation and the next, we can dismantle the systems that breed dishonesty and replace them with a culture of openness and respect for the rule of law. May we all continue to march together towards a corruption-free, prosperous Jamaica. MINISTER OF EDUCATION, SKILLS, YOUTH AND INFORMATION Senator Dr. The Honourable Dana Morris Dixon “T rig On th being With Y Tomorro Jamaica e our young I am a proud has taken the m policy decisions life. In 2017, unde the Most Honoura passed the Integrit operationalised the In government has been and reviewing and am anti-corruption measure procurement processes a the governance of public (Amendment) Act (2018), P (2019), Major Organized Cri (2018), Public Bodies Managem I In 2003, the United Nations adopted the Convention Against Corruption, and in 2005 Jamaica became a signatory to that Convention. Every year since the adoption of this Convention, the international community has celebrated December 9 as International Anti-Corruption Day. Last year, the theme for the International Anti-Corruption Day was “Uniting the World Against Corruption”. This year, the theme is: “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity”. This theme could not be timelier given the climate in which many of our young people live today. The last census taken in Jamaica was in 2011. It shows that young people under the age of 30 years formed 54% of the population. Using that percentage on the current officially estimated population, it means that Jamaica has over 1.53 million people under the age of 30. Our educational institutions are providing good instruction to the young people of our land. Many of such young people have done well for themselves, their families and Jamaica. However, there are others who have been overpowered by influences that have led them into corruption. It is a notorious fact that many young people are, for example, involved in scamming activities, that is, robbing pensioners of their savings. Sometimes these activities result in the commission of other offences, including murder. The Integrity Commission recognizes that the youth of our country need to be sensitized to the virtues of honesty and truth, as well as the importance of doing genuine work for reward. To this end, the Commission has been in discussion with the Ministry of Education with the aim of having anti-corruption programmes formally launched in our schools. The society is faced with an unfortunate situation in that there are mature adults who, instead of throwing their weight behind the efforts of the Integrity Commission to lessen corruption, are trying to dismantle the organization. These persons, some of whom hold responsible positions, are using the so-called social media to threaten, abuse and libel persons involved with the work of the Commission. They spread falsehoods as regards the actions and activities of the Commission. Such behaviour does not help in the effort to unite young people against corruption, or to shape a future with integrity. After all, most young people seem to populate the social media space. Jamaicans are hereby assured that the Integrity Commission will do all it can to educate the youth on the value of a corruptionfree society, while continuing to execute the duties imposed on it by the legislation without fear or favour. Give us your support. CHAIRMAN, INTEGRITY COMMISSION The Hon. Mr. Justice (Ret’d) Seymour Panton, OJ, CD Edmund Bartlett, OJ, CD, MP n ur unate adults behind ssion to antle the responsible cial media to olved with the d falsehoods as the Commission. ffort to unite young ape a future with e seem to populate e Integrity Commission the value of a corruptionte the duties imposed on our.
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