Feature

YES Convention 2009
Opening of the pathway towards a driving
change to stamp out corruption

Tabassum Mokhduma

WITH the call to the government, politicians and civil society to make the anti-corruption social movement stable and effective, the annual convention of the Youth Engagement and Support (YES), the die-hard youth anti-corruption activists of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) who works under the guidance of TIB inspired civil society group Committees of Concerned Citizens (CCCs) successfully took place at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre on October 10, 2009.

Inaugurated by the Chairman of TIB Trustee Board and former adviser to the caretaker government M Hafizuddin Khan, the day-long event saw more than 2000 promising YES members from across the country who participated in the convention pledging to wipe out corruption. Other notables present were Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed, Professor Muzaffer Ahmad, former adviser to the caretaker government Advocate Sultana Kamal and TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman.

The programme kicked off at 9 in the morning with the national anthem followed by anti-corruption oath taking and a well choreographed presentation of TIB theme song “Jago Manush”. Dr Iftekharuzzaman then gave his welcome speech where he applauded these young peoples' effort. Huguette Labelle, Transparency International Chair sent a video message where she mentioned that youth are not only the future of the world but also the present and wished YES a very successful journey ahead.

Other speakers urged the political parties to respect the people's verdict in the 9th national parliamentary elections and fulfill election pledges to make parliament accountable for the greater interests of the national. Corruption at the government level cannot be eradicated unless parliament becomes effective, they added. They said that corruption is directly linked to human rights violations and it is not possible to ensure human rights unless corruption is eradicated and thus stressed the need to strengthen the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) so that it can fight corruption independently and efficiently. They also wished the enthusiast anti-corruption youth activists to make Bangladesh free of corruption.

The event saw a fruitful busy schedule that included panel discussion on peoples' participation and youths' dedication towards anti-corruption movement, presentation of TIB's new project “Driving Change”, opinion sharing by CCCs and YES members on the prospect and challenges in peoples' participation in anti-corruption movement, discussions on several issues related to this social movement and declaration of the convention. The official website of YES (www.ti-bangladesh.org/yes) was also launched on the day.

The event came to an end with enthralling musical performances by famed singer Samina Chowdhury and Bappa Majumder.

Anti-corruption activists representing the CCCs and YES who participated in the convention are the key pillars and prime movers of TIB's social movement against corruption. The convention is an opportunity to look back and beyond as they move forward in their mission to eradicate corruption from the society. At the same time it was also a tribute to the highly estimable efforts they have put in building this outstanding constituency.

(The writer is a YES member of CCC, Chittagong Metropolitan, TIB)