OSCE supports anti-corruption slogan contest in Yerevan

YEREVAN, 9 September 2011 – The winners of a contest to involve young people in anti-corruption efforts received prizes in Yerevan today.

The contest was organized by the OSCE anti-corruption student working group with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan and Coca-Cola Hellenic Armenia. It helped to raise public awareness of the fight against corruption in higher education and helped the group to identify the slogan – “Buying your education, you sell your future” – to be used in their campaigning activities.

“Transparency and accountability in higher education are crucial for ensuring the quality of education. Only the efforts of all parties involved, including universities, students and society at large, can help to make the fight against corruption more effective. The winning slogan clearly reflects the concern that declining education standards through corruption very negatively affects students and society,” said Carel Hofstra, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

The contest was announced in July 2011 and 18 suggestions were received. The group shortlisted eight slogans and they were put to public vote on the group’s Facebook page.

“Today’s youth should be more active and informed in order to be able to protect their rights, one of which is to receive a quality education. In my opinion, it is very important at this stage to discuss corruption risks, to show good examples of how one can avoid it, which is what we are doing. Changing stereotypes, ways of thinking, is a difficult task and may take several years, but we should start now,” said Larisa Aslanyan, a founding member of the OSCE anti-corruption student working group.

The first-prize winner Hayk Tonapetyan from Gyumri won a netbook, the second-place winner Mane Martiryan received a DVD player and the third-prize winner Haykaz Bagratyan was given a digital camera. All shortlisted contestants received gifts from the OSCE Office and Coca-Cola.

“Our company has followed the UN Global Compact principle that businesses should work against corruption in its all forms, including extortion and bribery, and we see youth involvement in anti-corruption activities as a prerequisite for success,” said Ara Brutian, Public Affairs and Communications Manager of Coca-Cola Hellenic Armenia.

The OSCE anti-corruption student working group was established in 2009 by the OSCE Office in Yerevan to promote integrity and transparency in Armenian higher education institutions. The aim of the group is to raise awareness among students and organize discussions in universities on corruption, as well as to motivate students to actively monitor corruption cases in universities.

More information on the group’s activities is available on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ASAC.group