The Power of Youth: Architects of an Integrity-Based Future

By Linn Latt

Our Future, Our Responsibil­ity

As youth are the architects of our future world, the anti-cor­ruption process must be built upon active youth participation. Anti-corruption agencies world­wide are increasingly advocating for the involvement of young peo­ple in their initiatives. Youth are the leaders of tomorrow, and they bear a profound duty to shape a world that is fair, just, transpar­ent, and independent. Therefore, the fight against corruption must start now with young people. Cor­ruption is not merely a criminal issue; it is a significant barrier to sustainable development that robs today’s younger generation of their rightful opportunities. Thus, today’s youth have a vital responsibility to fight against corruption hand-in-hand with the government. This is not optional – it is essential for creating an integrity-based future with ze­ro-tolerance for corruption.

According to global data, there are over 1.9 billion young people in the world, accounting for approximately 25 per cent of the global population. Young people often feel that corruption directly hits their prospects, pushing them away from essential services like education, healthcare, social and job opportunities, as well as lim­iting their effective participation in social life. The future of the world is literally in the hands of the youth. If these hands lack in­tegrity, the world will be plagued by impurities and crime. However, by empowering youth and giving them a platform to speak out, we can build an accountable future. Ignoring youth participation only leads to the erosion of trust in governance. If the bond between youth and the state weakens, cor­ruption will continue to drain our resources and our shared future.

The Heart of Myanmar

According to the 2014 Census data, the youth population in My­anmar (aged 15 to 35) accounts for approximately 34 per cent of the total population. These 34 per cent are not merely spectators in the nation’s anti-corruption movement; they are the catalysts for change who accelerate Myan­mar’s transition towards a more transparent and accountable so­ciety. Recognizing this potential, Myanmar is actively nurturing and training its youth to partic­ipate responsibly in social and political affairs. If we take a look at Myanmar’s anti-corruption agenda, we can see a clear and strategic focus on empowering the next generation to lead with integrity. This is being actively implemented through various creative platforms such as “In­tegrity Camps”, “Edutainment Programmes”, “Youth Talks”, and “Panel Discussions”. These initia­tives are designed to instil ethical values in young minds while mak­ing the learning process engaging and impactful.

Furthermore, the responsibil­ity to nurture youth is enshrined in the national legal framework. According to Article 28 (d) of the 2008 Constitution, the Union is committed to implementing a modern education system that promotes ‘all-around correct thinking and good moral charac­ter,’ both of which are foundation­al to nation-building. Moreover, Article 33 mandates the Union to strive for youth to possess a dynamic patriotic spirit, correct thinking, and the development of the ‘Five Noble Strengths’ (Bala Nga Dan). Among these, ‘Mor­al Strength’ is directly linked to the fight against corruption and upholding the ethical guidelines. Corruption is often the result of a breakdown in ethical behav­iour; therefore, strengthening the moral fabric of our youth is a constitutional necessity. By prior­itizing these values, the Constitu­tion highlights the nation’s duty to cultivate citizens who uphold integrity and ethics as the guard­ians of a clean society.

Youth Participation in Myan­mar

For the anti-corruption tasks, the anti-corruption law was en­acted in 2013, and the anti-cor­ruption commission was formed in 2014 in line with the interna­tional standards. The vision of the Commission is to promote public prosperity through com­bating widespread corruption in the country, hand in hand with the people. The Commission is fight­ing corruption for public prosper­ity, with a strong belief that this is a national cause. The three key pillars of the commission’s tasks are prevention, awareness raising and investigation. In combating corruption, Proactive prevention is far superior to reactive punish­ment. Focusing on youth educa­tion today is a proactive strategy to prevent future corruption. In­stead of relying solely on taking action after a crime has occurred, fostering integrity from a young age ensures that the seeds of cor­ruption never take root.

In Myanmar, leaving no youth behind is a core principle of the anti-corruption agenda. This means that every young person, regardless of their background or location, has a vital role to play in building a culture of integrity. This commitment is solidified by Sec­tion 16 (j) of the Anti-Corruption Law (2013), which mandates the Commission to coordinate with relevant departments and organi­zations to integrate corruption-re­lated awareness lessons into the primary education system. This legal provision serves as the bed­rock for a corruption-free future. In accordance with this mandate, the Commission has developed and published comprehensive ‘Teacher Guidebooks’ for prima­ry and middle schools, as well as ‘Integrity Modules’ for high school and university levels. These re­sources have been systematically distributed to relevant ministries and organizations, ensuring that the seeds of ethics and honesty are sown early in the minds of our future leaders.

Ways to fight against corrup­tion with youth

There are several ways to in­volve young people in the anti-cor­ruption movement. However, the most effective and key strategies are as follows:

(i) Education and Value-Based Learning - Instilling integrity in young minds since child­hood is the most sustainable approach. Integrity education should be integrated into the school curriculum, similar to Civic Education. This nurtures students to become responsi­ble citizens who uphold a ze­ro-tolerance attitude toward corruption throughout their lives. By learning these val­ues early, the next generation will inherently reject unethical practices.

(ii) Active Engagement - Em­powering youth by allowing them to participate actively in the fight against corrup­tion is a key factor for success. Through initiatives such as Youth Integrity Clubs, Integ­rity Camps, and Edutainment Programmes, we provide a platform for young people to express their thoughts and raise their voices. We can nur­ture youth through essays, po­ems, and digital arts to spread the message of zero-tolerance towards corruption. These en­gagements encourage them to speak out against corruption, share creative ideas, and ad­vocate for transparency within their peer groups and commu­nities.

 

(iii) Digital Empowerment - In this digital age, youth are tech-savvy “Catalysts for Change”. By leveraging so­cial media and various digital tools, young people can lead powerful advocacy campaigns to raise public awareness. Fur­thermore, we can harness the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to distribute anti-corrup­tion knowledge and resources to the youth in real-time. This digital approach ensures that information is accessible, en­gaging, and capable of reach­ing a wider audience across the nation.

 

Anti-Corruption Initiatives in Action

While there are numerous academic and legal definitions of corruption, its essence remains simple: Corruption is fundamen­tally the unethical action of hu­man beings. It is a reflection of a breakdown in personal integ­rity and moral values. Integrity is not an innate trait that one is born with; rather, it is a learned behaviour that must be cultivat­ed and practised. Just as a seed needs the right soil and consist­ent care to grow into a strong tree, the values of honesty and accountability must be nurtured from early childhood. By instill­ing these ethical habits in young minds, we ensure that integrity becomes a natural part of their character, guiding their decisions throughout their lives.

Beyond policy, the Anti-Cor­ruption Commission is actively nurturing youth integrity through its vibrant Edutainment Pro­gramme. By utilizing engaging tools such as integrity-themed songs, poems, visuals, and car­toons, the Commission has suc­cessfully bridged the gap between complex legal concepts and young minds. The results are signifi­cant: between 2022 and 2025, the Commission conducted over 321 educational programmes across various schools nationwide. Fur­thermore, the Commission is or­ganizing “Youth Talks”, specifi­cally designed to “give the floor” to young people. These platforms allow youth to freely express their opinions, share their concepts of integrity, and discuss challenges in fighting corruption. These ini­tiatives do more than just inform; they inspire a new generation to embrace honesty as a core val­ue. This massive outreach proves that when integrity is taught with creativity and inclusivity, it reso­nates deeply with the youth, pav­ing the way for a cleaner and more ethical society.

Engaging the Future Leader

Fighting corruption is not an easy task. It requires a systemic approach and the adoption of a comprehensive strategy that in­volves every level of society. At the heart of this strategy lies the youth, who are the architects of an integrity-based society. Rec­ognizing this vital role, the United Nations marked International An­ti-Corruption Day on December 9, 2025, with the powerful theme: “Uniting with Youth Against Cor­ruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s In­tegrity”. In alignment with this global movement, Myanmar held a commemorative event in Nay Pyi Taw, which included an awarding ceremony for young winners of national competitions in anti-corruption awareness vid­eos, posters, and paintings. These awards are more than just tro­phies; they symbolize the nation’s trust in its youth to lead the way towards a transparent and ac­countable future.

In this commemorative event, Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myan­mar and State Security and Peace Commission Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing deliv­ered a significant video message. In his message, he emphasized that: “The Commission will con­tinue implementing awareness programmes and youth dialogue sessions aimed at educating young people, who play an im­portant role in shaping the future, about anti-corruption issues.” This high-level guidance serves as a strategic roadmap for the nation, reaffirming that the em­powerment of youth is not just an initiative but a national duty. It underscores the government’s commitment to creating an in­clusive environment where the voices of young people are heard, and their role in nation-building is fully recognized.

Let’s Do It Together: A Call to Action

To cultivate a national culture that refuses to tolerate corrup­tion and to prevent misconduct and unethical behaviour, we must start with our youth. The nation is dedicated to nurturing young citizens who uphold integrity and possess the Five Noble Strengths. The fight against corruption is not a sprint, but a marathon – one that requires the relentless energy, unwavering honesty, and deep commitment of the younger generation. As the architects of our future, young people in Myan­mar hold the power to dismantle the structures of corruption and replace them with the pillars of transparency and accountability. By integrating integrity into the education system and upholding the constitutional values of moral strength, Myanmar is securing its path towards a prosperous future. Through various Youth Aware­ness Programmes, we are build­ing a peaceful, just, and strong nation where corruption has no place to stand.

Let’s fight against corrup­tion, hand in hand with the youth!

References - ht tps: / /www. accm.gov.mm/