Good governance and anti-corruption

EUBAM recognises that corruption represents a serious impediment to the modernization of border management procedures, and is an endemic problem, rife in both the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.

The fight against corruption is a process requiring a long-term commitment by state institutions, civil society, and international organisations. All four of EUBAM’s main partners have declared their commitment to the long-term fight against corruption and support for anti-corruption initiatives. EUBAM takes this commitment in good faith as it moves forward, in partnership, with its hosts in Moldova and Ukraine.

EUBAM believes that although achieving a completely corrupt-free society is a tall order, one can raise awareness and make small incremental changes which over time can transform systems and the way people work.

As a first contribution to the fight against corruption, EUBAM strives to lead by example, espouse the most professional of standards in its daily work, and adhere strictly to the Mission’s core values. The Mission has appointed an anti-corruption advisor to work with its partners, and developed an Anti-Corruption Assistance Strategy to guide its approach, based on the European principles of good governance, namely: openness, participation, accountability, effectiveness, and coherence. The main areas of assistance EUBAM provides in this regard are related to regulatory framework, transparency and openness, audit and investigation, code of conduct, human-resource management, and awareness raising and training.

EUBAM considers engagement with the youth of Moldova and Ukraine a particularly vital part of the anti-corruption effort, so an increasing part of the Mission’s outreach activities is devoted to university lectures and anti-corruption schools. The Mission also invites Ukrainian and Moldovan students for annual summer schools and summer camps. Over the life of the Mission EUBAM may make only small steps in the fight against corruption, but it intends to make every one count.

EUBAM Anti-Corruption Assistance Strategy

Partners hotlines

Centre for Combating Economic Crimes and Corruption of the Republic of Moldova
+373-22257333
State Customs Service of Ukraine
+380-442472719
dovira@customs.gov.ua
State Border Guard Service of Ukraine
+380-445276363

Other Resources

Legislation

News/Events

May 7: Twenty-six of the finest students gather in Yalta for 'Youth against Corruption'

March 15: Brussels brief for customs services on EUBAM anti-corruption approach

December 12: Moldovan student addresses President at national anti-corruption conference

December 9: EUBAM and Polish anti-corruption bureau formalize partnership

November 11: First study visit to Polish anti-corruption bureau for EUBAM partners

September 12: EUBAM signs first Joint Statement of Cooperation with EU anti-corruption agency

July 1, 2011: EUBAM presents its anti-corruption strategy at key events

Youth against Corruption

“Raising awareness of corruption with the younger generation, at grassroots level, is one of the most important ways of addressing the problem. ‘Youth against Corruption’ is an invaluable forum where vital issues can be addressed and opinions shared, by the people who are the future teachers, doctors, and politicians of the two countries. EUBAM is committed to facilitating cooperation with and between academic communities and the ‘Youth against Corruption’ schools are a central part of that” – Udo Burkholder, Head of EUBAM

As part of EUBAM’s ongoing campaign to raise awareness on good governance and anti-corruption, the Mission hosts students from academic institutions in Ukraine and Moldova for week-long ‘Youth Against Corruption’ schools. These schools are organised jointly by EUBAM, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, and the Centre for Combatting Economic Crimes and Corruption of the Republic of Moldova.

The first ‘Youth against Corruption’ school took place in summer 2010, at Vadul Lui Vode in Moldova. Next, students were invited to Odessa, Ukraine, for the ‘winter’ school. In May students attended the third ‘Youth against Corruption’ spring school in Yalta, Crimea, and at the end of July 2011 the school will return to Vadul Lui Vode for the fourth edition of the school. Twenty-six students – 13 from Moldova and 13 from Ukraine – are chosen to participate in each school. These are the future leaders of Moldova and Ukraine, so they are selected on the basis of proven leadership competencies.

The ‘Youth against Corruption’ programme includes practical and theoretical sessions for the students on anti-corruption-related issues such as tools for corruption prevention, investigation, principals of good governance, ethics, as well as actual case studies from EU Member States, Ukraine and Moldova. It also affords students the opportunity to design their own anti-corruption campaigns, using multi-media devices such as video and web.

Student Testimony

The Thoughts of the Students: ‘Youth against Corruption’ Testimony

As a representative of the new generation of Ukrainians born after the break-up of the Soviet Union and as a person who intends to live my future life in my own country, I consider myself to be responsible for the processes in our society. I feel the part of that society. I deeply believe that if a person intends to make changes for the better it is worth starting with themselves and the world around them.

This year I was lucky to be a part of the youth initiative in the field of anti-corruption and good governance in Ukraine and Moldova, namely the winter school ‘Youth against corruption’, jointly organised by the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM), State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the Centre for Combating Economic Crimes and Corruption of Moldova in February 2011 in Odessa. The school was delivered to 26 students from Ukraine and Moldova whose future careers are connected with the activities of law enforcement, customs and border services.

Nowadays the issue of elimination and prevention of corruption in Ukraine and worldwide is very delicate, thus special attention should be given to it and it requires approaches from different viewpoints. To meet these requirements the school instructors organised a number of different interactive lectures dealing with various aspects and forms of manifestation, prevention, fighting and consequences of this phenomenon. The training programme was designed in a way to make students study diligently and effectively. It was interesting and useful as it contained not only ‘basic dry’ theory, but was complemented by lots of practical exercises, debates, study tours, excursions and of course fascinating entertainment such as an ‘Evening of Nations’ and fancy ball, which gave a bright zest to the school.

I’m deeply convinced that apart from its main objective, this project is an important contribution to the setting of international friendship ties, cooperation and understanding between young people from neighbouring countries. Youth, with the same goals and life values, met to share experiences, views and culture of their countries, that in the future, I’m pretty sure, will result in the development of better understanding and cooperation in political, social and cultural fields.

Getting back to the major topic of the school, often young people have thoughts like “What can I personally do?” “Nothing really depends on me” or “How can I influence the situation in my native country?” Finding no clear answers to these questions young people keep the situation as it is... thereby worsening it by their inactivity and unwillingness. Of course it would be naïve to think that corruption will disappear at the click of one’s fingers, but you have no right to give up!

There are always options how to act and what to choose. By starting with yourself and finding active supporters who share your values and ideas it is possible to prevent and counter corruption, not to let it spread and poison our present and future! Each “no to corruption” is important, each counts! Only together we can struggle against the ‘corruption disease’ diagnosis.

Let me briefly show my vision of the success of ‘Youth against Corruption’ with the following formula:

EUBAM + CCECC + UA SBGS + 26 active and smart students × 7 days = School ‘Youth against Corruption!’

(knowledge + experience + an unforgettable pastime + new friends = future of our countries where the word ‘corruption’ sounds weird and unmentionable!!!)

Thanks to ‘Youth against Corruption’ there are already lots of young and socially active young people who share this standpoint. Join us and say “No to Corruption!” Together we are strong!

Svetlana Mishchuk, International Relations student at Kiev University for Humanities, Participant in ‘Youth Against Corruption’ Winter School (Feb 2011), and EUBAM Anti-Corruption Cell trainee (1-20 July, 2011)

Video Clips

Partners hotlines

Centre for Combating Economic Crimes and Corruption of the Republic of Moldova
+373-22257333
State Customs Service of Ukraine
+380-442472719
dovira@customs.gov.ua
State Border Guard Service of Ukraine
+380-445276363