UNDP-sponsored Thai Youth Anti-Corruption Network wins best practice by WEF

[Lite Beer]

RECOGNITION
UNDP-sponsored Thai Youth Anti-Corruption Network wins best practice by WEF

BANGKOK: -- The Thai Youth Anti-Corruption Network, a group of more than 4,000 Thai university students from more than 90 universities has been recognised by the World Economic Forum as a "Creative For Good" best practice by the World Economic Forum.

The student-led anti-corruption group was created one year ago in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Khon Kaen University's College of Local Administration, beginning with just 36 students from 15 Thai universities.

A recent ABAC poll reported that a majority (63.4%) of Thai people hold the view that corruption in government is acceptable as long as they also benefit from it. A majority of young people under 20 now hold the same attitude.

UNDP held anti-corruption camps across the country to educate student leaders about the dangers of corruption in Thai society and to promote responsible citizenship and civic knowledge.

Last year on International Anti-Corruption Day (December 9), 2,000 students rallied at the Bangkok Art and Culture Center. The large public rally was also a signal to the public that every sector in Thailand is now actively engaged in fighting corruption.

The "Creative For Good" platform was created by the World Economic Forum, in collaboration with the Ad Council and Ketchum, as an online resource for case studies of effective public education campaigns. It brings together over 60 campaigns from around the world on social issues such as education, health and environment.

The World Economic Forum began the idea with the objective of helping smaller NGOs and organizations create their own public service campaigns. "Creative for Good" gives organizations access to a range of successful campaigns from different regions, along with a user-friendly "how to" guide. The initiative also shares insights on success factors and connects users to the campaign sponsors and creators.

Campaign submissions were vetted by an advisory committee made up of 17 media, communications and social marketing executives.

"Communications and PR can and should be a force for positive change, and we are delighted to be a part of this important new initiative in support of the World Economic Forum's mission to improve the state of the world," said David Gallagher, Senior Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Ketchum's European operations.

"We went into this blind. Many students weren't politically active or spend much of their time on campus talking about corruption issues, but we've been impressed with their level of awareness," said Kwanpadh Suddhi-Dhamakit, Programme Analyst with UNDP in Thailand.

"The success of this campaign is a direct result of their effort and energy."

UNDP aims to continue its anti-corruption efforts in 2013 at the university level, creating a strong campus activist organizations with permanent ties to universities, academics, journalists, and civil society organisations.

-- The Nation 2013-06-21

[Neilly]

"We went into this blind. Many students weren't politically active or spend much of their time on campus talking about corruption issues, but we've been impressed with their level of awareness," said Kwanpadh Suddhi-Dhamakit, Programme Analyst with UNDP in Thailand.

You'd have to deaf, dumb and blind to not be aware of corruption here...and it does go to a high level

[winstonc]

well its a start ,,young people maybe atleast trying to do something,,good luck to them,,,,

[chainarong]

This is worthy of mention , these students have plenty of examples to base their investigations or seminars on, one hopes they go onto higher things, however getting to close in Darkest Thailand can lead to health problems.

[GentlemanJim]

After announcing Thailand as the winners of the anti corruption award the members of the WEF committee each drove away in their brand new mercedes.

[rubl]

The Thai Youth Anti-Corruption Network had an unfair advantage over other teams with the ability to study corruption and it's effects on society so close at hand.

[NongKhaiKid]

Lovely words and that's about all. Does a rally of 2,000 prove that Thailand is actively fighting corruption ? I don't think so but at least they didn't use the magical 100,000 figure.

As the story said the public's opinion on corruption is clear from poll after poll, it's ok as long as we get some of it.

Corruption is so ingrained in the Thai way it's impossible to believe they can ever change the habits of a lifetime which are passed from generation to generation starting with cheating at school and getting bigger and better into adult life.

[Robby nz]

Lovely words and that's about all. Does a rally of 2,000 prove that Thailand is actively fighting corruption ? I don't think so but at least they didn't use the magical 100,000 figure.

As the story said the public's opinion on corruption is clear from poll after poll, it's ok as long as we get some of it.

Corruption is so ingrained in the Thai way it's impossible to believe they can ever change the habits of a lifetime which are passed from generation to generation starting with cheating at school and getting bigger and better into adult life.

So where do you start NKK if its not with the youth?

What we have is a recognition by some of the young that this is a problem and a problem that hurts the country and them in the long run.

Most people we are told think corruption is ok if it benefits them, but how much of the corruption benefits the ordinary person?

That personal benefit must be very small compared to the negative effects of the massive corruption we have at present.

Compared to the 100 B the tuk tuk driver can scam how much does he lose from an underfunded health system or his children lose by poor schooling because of money sucked from the system by corruption?

Corruption cant be changed in an instant but hopefully progress can be made in a generation and that has to start with the youth by making them understand that corruption makes most people losers in the long run.

[A Member]

I wonder how long it will be before these idealistic students are swept into the web of corruption if they aren't already, after all they are students ? How many are driving on licences that were bought not applied and tested for ?

After graduation how many will have to pay " tea money " to get the teaching job they have applied for and on it goes ?

The final question is how will they be when they are in a position to " help " someone for a consideration of course, will their ideals still be in place ?

[arthurboy]

The large public rally was also a signal to the public that every sector in Thailand is now actively engaged in fighting corruption.

And therein lies the truth of this overblown, misleading and utterly untrue statement. There is no united, concerted effort to fight corruption in Thailand.

If there is, for one, where is the Nation's ongoing campaign of active engagement in fighting corruption in Thailand?

Oh, there isn't one, is there?

[NongKhaiKid]

In all the years I have been involved with Thailand, first as a tourist with my daughter and then on retirement, I have heard the anti-corruption message repeated ad nauseam. Every government elected or re-elected promises it as a priority but the people making it are usually up to their necks in it anyway.

I wish these young people well but the system will get to them one way or another.