Wake-up People, Resist Corruption
International Anti-corruption Day 2009
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) observed this year’s International Anti-corruption Day – IACD (9 December) with a series of anti-corruption voice raising and demand creation activities. TIB’s motto on this occasion, as on every other day is Jago Manush Durnity Protirodhe Jago (wake-up people, resist corruption).
To mark this year’s IACD, with the support of Dhaka Medical College Hospital authority, TIB inspired Dhaka YES Groups has set up Advice and Information Desk at the outdoor of this hospital. The YES members have started to provide information to the service recipient on 8-10 December and continued up to 12-13 December (08:00-14:00 daily). During 8-13 December, a record of 4,084 common people received relevant information through the AI-Desk.
On 9 December at national level, observance of the day was started through arranging a Sharing Meeting of Anti-Corruption Cartoonists at Ramna Park at 12:00 pm. The objectives of this meeting was to explore scope of work, new ideas as well as generate concept of building a Forum or Association as a platform for cartoonists. The meeting was attended by the eminent cartoonists from the panel of judges of TIB organized anti-corruption cartoon competitions and the contestants.
Afterward, the first ever Anti-Corruption Human Chain in Dhaka was held at 3:00 pm in front of the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka. Along with the people of different strata, the representatives from civil society organizations, media, and Dhaka YES members have participated in it. After the end of the programme, Opening of the Exhibition titled Cartoon Against Corruption took place at 4:00 pm at Zainul Gallery of Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka. The Vice Chancellor of University of Dhaka Prof. A A M S Arefin Siddique has inaugurated the exhibition as Chief Guest. The exhibition will continue till 16 December everyday from 12:00 pm – 08:00 pm. Besides, Anti-corruption Signature Campaign has taken place at the same place and time and this will continue till 16 December.
Radio jingle and radio talk shows were aired in four FM radio stations and at the same time sms/phone-in interaction with a number of listeners took place on this occasion. Besides, a Web-based opinion poll was organized at TIB website in partnership with metro.net.bd and bdjobs.com.
A national seminar titled ‘Effective Anti-corruption Commission: Why & How?’ was held on 10 December at BRAC Centre Inn at 11:00 am. The Chairman of Anti-corruption Commission has attended as the Chief Guest.
The IACD has also been observed on 9 December all over Bangladesh where TIB has mobilized thousands of activists under the banner of 36 Committees of Concerned Citizens (CCCs) and 52 Youth Engagement & Support (YES) groups. They held rallies, debate and essay competitions, signature campaigns, cultural events, cartoon exhibitions, discussion meetings, oath-taking, magazine publication, cycle rallies, theatre shows and audio-visual message shows. In most cases, these were held in partnership with a number of other organizations including the Corruption Prevention Committees of the Anti-Corruption Commission. At the same time, a number of cultural organizations from different part of the country also observed the day with series of cultural programmes in collaboration with TIB. |
