This part includes programmes for young people and ways of anti-corruption educational and awareness activities for secondary schools and higher institutions. Prevention and fighting corruption is a big challenge for all generations. For adults it is expressed in the need to build a society in which all will live well and have equal job opportunities and progress. For the young people it is a challenge to understand the problem and evil that it threatens their future.

The Programmes will seek to raise awareness and interest among youth about the character and impact of corruption, a problem affecting them in the present and threatening their future. They will aim to provide Kyrgyz youth with an understanding of corruption and how to combat it through transparency, accountability, and integrity. Such programmes would provide a framework for exchange and collaboration among youth of corruption fighters and would enrich work of TI Kyrgyzstan on anti-corruption activities.

Integrity, like corruption, is learned. Unfortunately, in many different countries, rich and poor alike, corruption has been tolerated for generations. Youth have the potential to transform this present reality and make a lasting impact as tomorrow’s leaders and today’s citizens by creating a world free of corruption. Creating awareness among children and adolescents is much easier than among adults. It is essential to let young people know the need to fight against corruption through instructing youth about the negative aspects of corruption. Present time developed awareness campaign for young people are crucial for recognizing and dealing with this evil.

Corruption most affects young people as a result of their involvement in almost every aspect of society — as students, activists, citizens, workers, customers and voters. In their interactions with government and businesses, young people are often put on the front line of corruption. They may be forced to ‘bribe’ to go to school, pass an exam or get a job. So it is vitally important to raise public awareness against corruption.

In this concern TI Kyrgyzstan conducted a number of trainings for Higher Educational Institutions on different aspects of fighting corruption. During the trainings young people actively participated in discussions of roles they can play in the fight against corruption particularly in educational area. The TI Kyrgyzstan officers emphasised on corruption causes and corruption consequences, its damage and different types.  Transparency International Kyrgyzstan shared on successful experience of ALAC project. Students demonstrated a high interest during training sessions and good knowledge in anti-corruption area. The training courses served to inject fresh ideas into anti-corruption movement and raised youth awareness in fight against corruption.

Implementation of such educational projects represents relevant and essential approach as corruption is a street with two-way traffic: if there is one who takes bribes, there is evidently another one who gives. Readying young people to say no to corruption both today and tomorrow is a pivotal step toward making real progress in the fight against abuses — from bribery and fraud, to collusion and patronage. Their engagement, while not sufficient on its own to end abuses, is one additional and essential piece that is needed to tackle corruption.

Developing and educating a new generation in the values of integrity, democracy and transparency is one of the most powerful tools for ensuring a future where corrupt practices are not part of the normal way of life.

For this purpose a number of seminars and workshops have been conducted at secondary schools of Bishkek city. Children were interested in this topic, asked questions and got comprehensive answers. The round tables, discussions have taken place at schools where school children compete in oratorical skills and in defending and upholding their interests and viewpoints. Discussion subject was corruption, its consequences, and counteractions. Whether and how it is possible to train children to the idea of corruption? What is the way and how to explain the consequences of corruption? Based on such questions TI Kyrgyzstan has worked out special programs, activities, presentations and information to be read in the classroom and be taken part in. After getting known the information and/or participation in the activities worked out by TI Kyrgyzstan, we asked children to answer some questions and give their own understanding concerning it. These activities and discussions will also be opened through teachers’ and facilitators’ assistance. At the same time special competitions are conducted for the 5th – 11th grade students: essay, research papers in free-text form, pictures, posters, caricatures and comics on anti-corruption topic.