Vienna: Young participants from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Moldova investigated ways to enhance youth involvement in anti-corruption initiatives during a study visit to the OSCE and the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) headquarters in Vienna and Laxenburg on International Anti-Corruption Day, December 10.
According to EMM, the Moldovan participants were part of an anti-corruption volunteer program at the National Anticorruption Center, while those from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan were beneficiaries of the OSCE youth crime prevention project. During their visit to IACA, they explored the fundamentals of corruption, its societal impacts, and the role of young people in promoting integrity and facilitating positive change. Martin Kreutner, First Dean (em.) of IACA, emphasized the significant influence young people can have.
The group also engaged with senior officials at the OSCE headquarters to learn about the organization’s anti-corruption efforts in the region. This was complemented by a meeting with Ambassador Victoria Ro?a, Permanent Representative at the Mission of the Republic of Moldova to the OSCE. Ambassador Ro?a encouraged the youth by highlighting the importance of passion and responsibility in leadership.
The study visit aimed to provide the young representatives with a practical understanding of integrity, good governance, and international anti-corruption standards, empowering them to act as change agents in their communities. Through direct interactions with experts, OSCE officials, and diplomats, participants gained valuable insights for their ongoing volunteer and youth-led initiatives, fostering a new generation of committed leaders in the battle against corruption.
The initiative reflected the OSCE’s dedication to empowering young people as partners in promoting good governance and integrity across the OSCE region. It was part of two OSCE extra-budgetary projects: “Supporting anti-corruption efforts of the Government of Moldova,” funded by France, Germany, Italy, and Romania, in cooperation with Moldova’s National Anticorruption Center; and “Enhancing youth crime and drug use prevention through education on legality and awareness campaigns addressing threats of organized crime and corruption,” supported by Germany, Andorra, Finland, Italy, Norway, Poland, and Thailand.