THE GLEANER, MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2024 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | IC FEATURE C3 I am honoured to join the global anticorruption community, and leaders all over the world, in commemorating International Anti-Corruption Day 2024. This year’s theme is entitled “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity”. Corruption has the potential to inflict grave harm upon any society that fails to understand how dangerous it is, and which refuses to seriously confront it. Its victims are many, not the least of which are its youth. Corruption robs our children of their hopes and aspirations, and the promise of the bright and prosperous future that they all dream of, and which we are obligated to provide for them. As informed adults, we must understand that when we trifle with corruption, our youth will suffer. When we put party, or partisan politics, before our country, the fruits of our children’s future will be substantially diminished. And when our political leaders fail to deliver on the promises that they make, they will betray the trust that our children have reposed in them. Today, I call upon our youth to recognize that by uniting against corruption, they too can play a significant role in shaping what tomorrow will bring their way. The prospect of a world class education, good-paying and rewarding jobs, a satisfactory standard of living, and a society that has as its hall-marks prosperity, equality, opportunity, security and justice, are just some of the promises that a corrupt-free Jamaica will offer. But it is impossible for the battle against corruption to speak itself into being. For it to succeed, it will require our political, business and civil society leaders, and our lawmakers, to act forthrightly to place the interest of the people and the country above all else. Our national law-enforcement and anti-corruption institutions also have a pivotal and indispensable role to play. If they are to be effective, they must be proactive and impartial, and supported by an enabling anti-corruption legislative framework that is continuously strengthened – not weakened. The promise that was made for Jamaica to be the place of choice to live, work, raise families, and to do business in, will prove to be nothing more than a mirage if corruption is permitted to roam freely among us. The danger is real. Developing countries that are plagued by unchecked corruption risk descending into an abyss of societal, economic and ethical degradation from which recovery can prove difficult, if not impossible. Such failing societies will typically exhibit some or all of the following characteristics: Unethical leadership; poor public governance and accountability standards; wastage and theft of public resources and public money; abuse of public office and governmental power; arrogance on the part of politicians and Government officials; public institutions that do not respond to citizens’ needs; prevalent bribery; low or decreasing levels of sustainable foreign investment; an expanding gap between the rich and the poor; high emigration rates; entrenched poverty; increasing cries of inequality and injustice; a breakdown in the rule of law; impunity for the privileged and the connected; pervasive crime; a high murder rate; proliferation of organized crime; substandard healthcare and educational facilities; a lack of affordable housing; jobs that do not pay a living wage; decrepit roads and infrastructure; inadequate or poor social services and public utilities; a cost of living that is adversely disproportionate to the means of the majority; a feeling of insecurity and stress among the broader populace; and a shroud of hopelessness and despair that hangs over the society. The annual observance of International Anti-Corruption Day is, among other things, intended to serve as a reminder of these very risks. It marks the first signing, on December 9, 2003, of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). As Jamaica is a Signatory and State Party to UNCAC, its leaders are therefore presented with a fitting opportunity to pause, reflect and consider what more needs to be done, at this juncture, to guard against the threat that corruption poses to our fair isle, its citizens and our future. It is in this vein that I challenge our youth to be dispassionate in thought, and to raise their voices in the spirit of the theme of this year’s celebration of UNCAC. Let us all, as stakeholders, join hands to make Jamaica a place where integrity reigns, and let us work to ensure that the future that our children justly deserve is attained. In Da is e Agai Tomor Corruptio grave harm to understa which refuse victims are ma its youth. Corr their hopes and a of the bright and all dream of, and provide for them EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INTEGRITY COMMISSION Mr. Greg Christie The Corruption Prevention, Stakeholder Engagement and Anti-Corruption Strategy Division welcomes the opportunity to celebrate International Anti-Corruption Day being celebrated this year under the theme “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity”. I am encouraged by the theme of this year’s celebration and its focus on youth engagement and the acknowledgement of the fundamental role that the youth as critical stakeholders in the process can play in the fight against corruption. Youth participation and involvement in the fight against corruption has a huge potential to change the dynamics of the equation and the Corruption Prevention, Stakeholder Engagement and Anti-Corruption Strategy Division looks forward to engaging the youth in this aspect of the discourse in the months ahead. er gy h in head. DIRECTOR, CORRUPTION PREVENTION, STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT & ANTI-CORRUPTION STRATEGY, INTEGRITY COMMISSION Mr. Ryan Evans As we join the global community and the Integrity Commission in observing International Anti-Corruption Day, the Financial Investigations Division (FID) reaffirms its resolute commitment to combating fraud, money laundering, and financial crimes that undermine our nation’s integrity. This year’s theme, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity”, resonates deeply with our mission, as it underscores the role of young people in creating a transparent and accountable future. In Jamaica, financial crime and corruption not only affect our economy but also erode public trust and compromise opportunities for the next generation. Addressing these issues requires a unified approach, where every citizen recognizes their responsibility in reporting corruption and embracing ethical practices. Together, we can empower youth by providing education on integrity and supporting initiatives that foster honesty and transparency. The FID remains dedicated to protecting the Jamaica’s Financial system from abuse and ensuring that justice is served for those who violate our laws. As we look to the future, we invite all Jamaicans—particularly young people—to stand with us in the fight against corruption for a more prosperous, fair, and equitable Jamaica. n Inv reso mone underm This yea Corruptio nates deep role of youn accountable f In Jamaica, finan our economy but opportunities for issues requires a uni nizes their responsibi DIRECTOR GENERAL (ACTING), FID Mr. Ordinor Tucker It is with immense pleasure and pride that once again, the Major Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) stands alongside the Integrity Commission in recognizing yet another International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9. This year’s theme, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” resonates deeply with us at MOCA, as it underscores the critical role of young people in leading the charge against a rising threat - cyber-enabled corruption. Over the years, with the rapid growth of cyber and digital platforms, corruption has evolved greatly, taking on new forms such as online scams, bribery, procurement fraud, and illicit financial transactions that exploit technology to evade detection. Our youth, as digital natives, are comfortable navigating the virtual world and are often very attuned to emerging technologies. This makes them uniquely positioned, both as potential victims and potential perpetrators in this evolving threat. They are just as vulnerable in navigating the digital landscape, as they are at taking advantage of it for nefarious purposes. But they can also be powerful allies in promoting vigilance, transparency and accountability online. At MOCA, we believe in equipping young Jamaicans with the knowledge, tools, and support they need to identify and reject corruption in the digital world. We urge our youth to embrace the fight against cyberenabled corruption, promote digital integrity and to build a future rooted in transparency, accountability, and justice - both online and offline. This International Anti-Corruption Day, we call on all Jamaicans, all public agencies, private citizens, communities, and especially our youth, to join in this important mission. Together, we can create a brighter, more resilient Jamaica, where corruption has no place, and honesty, transparency and integrity are all nonnegotiable. g d ct our beregrity arency, ne and we call on ate citizens, o join in this ate a brighter, has no place, ty are all nonDIRECTOR GENERAL, MAJOR ORGANISED CRIME & ANTI-CORRUPTION AGENCY (MOCA) Colonel Desmond Edwards
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