Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) joins the rest of the country in celebrating Youth Day today. In commemorating this day, we would like to make a clarion call to the young people of Zambia to take a leading role in the governance and anti-corruption fight through the use of technology and social media.
Youths played a critical role in the governance of this country through an unprecedented turnout to participate in the August 2021 General elections. Consequently, the youths have a greater stake in the current governance system and should take a leading role in demanding for accountability and transparency.
As Zambia commemorates this year’s Youth day, TI-Z would like to call upon the young people to take stock of their contribution to the governance of this nation and the fight against corruption. There are many avenues through which young people can participate in holding duty bearers accountable.
First, effective youth participation demands increased understanding of the governance situation and anti-corruption strategy. Youths should therefore take interest in current affairs and participate in public fora as well as interrogate public documents. TI-Z will be organizing a virtual anti- corruption summer school and a national youth conference later this year. These are some of the platforms aimed at increased learning on key governance issues among young people.
Secondly, youths can also make use of social media and digital platforms to start petitions and online campaigns on key issues, post and comment on national issues and report suspected cases of corruption. Youths can report cases of suspected corruption directly to Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and indeed through TI-Z’s Advocacy and Legal Advice for Citizens which receives reports and complaints and then reports them to LEAs. TI-Z also makes follow-ups on these cases and provides feedback to the complainants. Alternatively, youths can report anonymously via the “share your story” website http://shareyourstory.org.zm/share-your-story/ and provide their experiences with everyday corruption.
Thirdly, youths have in many different countries been instrumental in pushing for legal reform and constitutional change through organized protests and demonstrations. Demonstrations are an effective tool for communicating public concern on various issues. This can also be done online through the use of hashtags and profile pictures to inform duty bearers of the views of the public on national issues.
Lastly, youths can take active roles in budget tracking and resource monitoring interventions. Integrity pacts can be used to reduce the risk of abuse of public resources through CSO or NGO monitoring of public contracts and works. Youths can partner with TI-Z and other CSOs who will be monitoring the utilization of Constituency Development Funds (CDF) across the country, in order to make significant contributions to the enhancement of accountability in the management of public resources.
In conclusion, TI-Z commends government for the initiative taken in holding a national youth indaba this week. It is only when youths are engaged in such practical conversations that we will begin to make real progress in ensuring their effective involvement in national development. As TI-Z, we believe in the power of young people and we are aware that sustainable progress even in the fight against corruption will be attainable if we harness the knowledge, skills and expertise of young people.
Maurice K. Nyambe (MR)
Executive Director
