Arianne Kassman's Blog (9)

18 members of the Youth Against Corruption Association PNG spent a week at a Media Smart Youth Workshop facilitated by Transparency International PNG. The purpose of the workshop was for:

1. YACA members to understand the importance of the role of the media in a democracy

2. YACA members to use the mass media…

After traveling 16756km (10412 miles), through 5 airports and more than 20 hours of flying, I finally reached Brasilia to participate in the 3^rd Global Youth Anti-Corruption Forum and 15^th International Anti-Corruption Conference.

To represent my country, first and foremost, was my biggest achievement. I felt privileged to be there and was eager to learn more about the role of ICT and Music in the fight against…

The forum began with a drama by the Watete Drama Troupe. The drama portrayed how the people in rural PNG were affected by the corruption that was taking place at the top level.

Commissioner Sangetari gave a speech before the official presentation. She said that because corruption had taken root everywhere, a lot of money that should be used to bring basic services was being diverted elsewhere. She expressed great hope that young people were beginning to talk about corruption…

The forum began with a drama from the UNDERSTANDING CORRUPTION THROUGH DRAMA troupe. The drama highlighted common scenarios during elections and lessons about voting wisely. This included:

1. Why Voting for the best candidate was your responsibility

2. Everybody pays taxes when they buy goods or services

3. The Role of a Member of Parliament

Following the drama, Ms Leilani Ose generated a discussion with the students focused on what a good voter is, what…

Before the forum began, the students were asked to register their attendance. The members were then given their membership packs and all assembled in the hall for the forum. I began by welcoming the students and gave a brief recap of the last forum. We then went on to reciting the YACA pledge together and I then continued on to introduce the topic for the forum.

I then called on Fr John to give a talk. Fr John began by explaining that in YACA, there are three important things…

The Forum began with the Master of Ceremony Mr. Daniel George welcoming the students and getting the group to recite the YACA Pledge. Daniel then went on to introduce the YACA Patron Fr. John Glynn who gave a brief on YACA and why he started the group. He also talked about how education was a privilege in PNG and…

Transparency International PNG (TIPNG) is excited to announce the winner and two runner-ups in the 2012 It’s time to Wake Up PNG! song writing competition.

Mr Stephens in his keynote address said that the purpose of the song writing contest was to provide an avenue for young people to express what they feel about corruption, to create awareness on corruption in PNG and to empower youth to take action against corruption through music.

The winner of the…

WELCOME TO YACA- By Fr John Glynn

No Organization = No Voice

What is it like to be a young person in Papua New Guinea today? When we read what is written about young people it is all very encouraging – PNG has signed up to the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Children, and on the rights of everyone else too, like the rights of Women. So on paper – yes! We all have these rights.

BUT when we look at how things really are in…

Twenty one students participated in a week long Wake Up PNG! Media Smart Youth Workshop at the Public Information Center, World Bank Papua New Guinea from the 16th-20th April 2012.

The purpose of the workshop was for:

• YACA members to understand the importance of the role of the media in a democracy
• YACA members to use the mass media to disseminate information about and promote work/values/activities of YACA
• YACA members to learn skills that will help…