“The choice is in our hands. A choice a di ngara imad. If we want to do the right thing and be responsible and avoid the temptation of corruption. If you see something you know is wrong, you can bring that up to the right authority to deal with before it escalates,” Delany Termeteet, a Palau High School student, said of handling corruption during the International Anti-Corruption Day event held on December 9, 2022, at Ngarachamayong Cultural Center.
The 2022 International Anti-Corruption theme calls for youth participation in the fight against corruption.
Over 190 students from Palau High School, Mindzenty High School, and Palau Mission Academy joined Palau Community College students, the Office of the Special Prosecutor, and representatives from the community to observe the 2022 International Anti-Corruption Day.
Students gave presentations, sang songs, and performed skits relaying corrupt actions and their impact on people’s lives.
“Abuse of privilege, abuse of power, It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Tax corruption, where does the money go? Blackmailing, this is where the truth unfolds. Speak up for transparency, help to stop dishonesty, quality service and wide accessibility,” goes the song composed by the Palau High School Senior Class of 2023 to raise awareness during the Anti-Corruption Day observance.
“An example would be a school fundraiser where some students or teachers take the money raised for their own personal use. Someone sees this wrong action but is related to that person and doesn’t want to say anything to “bring shame” to the family. A young child sees this and learns to think it’s ok, or that’s the way it has always been done,” expressed Ms. Termeteet of the example of corruption and its impact.
Palau Mission Academy students performed a song they wrote with a verse that says, “Our world needs help today, change starts with us today, corruption causes destruction…gotta use our voices to spread awareness.”
The presentations expressed the youth’s clear understanding of corruption and its impact.
President Whipps joined the youth to mark the occasion with representatives from foreign embassies in Palau, media members, the Palau Chamber of Commerce, and the Office of the Special Prosecutor, which co-hosted the event with the Chamber of Commerce and the schools.
“The 2022 International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD) seeks to highlight the crucial link between anti-corruption and peace, security, and development. At its core is the notion that tackling this crime is the right and responsibility of everyone, and that only through cooperation and the involvement of each and every person and institution can we overcome the negative impact of this crime. States, government officials, civil servants, law enforcement officers, media representatives, the private sector, civil society, academia, the public and youth alike all have a role to play in uniting the world against corruption,” UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) issued under its 20th Anniversary theme, “Uniting the World Against Corruption.