World Bank’s International Corruption Hunters Alliance 2023 Blog Contest. Apply below.
When is Application Deadline: 20th May 2023
Tell Me About Award:
- TOPIC: How can young people work with their governments and civil society organizations to speak up against corruption and counter the negative impacts corruption has on society?
In recent years, the world has faced overlapping crises, including among them a global pandemic, the growing impacts of climate change, and ongoing conflicts in many countries and regions. These emergencies have mobilized massive responses by governments and the global community, both through immediate measures as well as with investments for longer-term solutions.
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The impact and outcome of these measures will be determined to a large degree by the quality of the deployment of resources. This requires that the money made available for these responses be used efficiently, effectively, and for their intended purposes.
Corruption undermines these efforts with real consequences on people’s lives. Corruption has a disproportionate impact on the poor and most vulnerable, increasing costs and reducing access to services, including health, education, and justice. Unofficial payments for services can have a particularly pernicious effect on poor people, with a greater percentage of their income going to pay bribes. In addition, corruption impedes investment in the private sector, with consequent effects on growth and jobs. Moreover, corruption erodes trust in government and undermines the social contract, and it can fuel and perpetuate inequalities and discontent that, in some context, lead to fragility, violent extremism, and conflict.
At the same time, advances in technology are causing some characteristics of corruption risks to evolve, such as by making it easier to move illicit funds across borders and hide one’s identity while doing so, allowing corrupt individuals to act with impunity. Given these trends, it is clear that there is a need for greater collaboration in fighting corruption and building coalitions that stand for transparency and accountability in society, and that support building capable institutions charged with carrying out anticorruption programs.
Taking on corruption requires the participation of actors from across society—in government, civil society, and the private sector. Young people can also play a role in building awareness and speaking out against corruption.
In an effort to find a common solution to a common challenge, we would also like to hear the views of African youth on the challenges of corruption. Based on the situation in your country, answer the following question:
Type: Contest
Who can Apply? Must be a citizen of, and currently living in, a Sub-Saharan African country and be between 18 and 28 years of age on May 31, 2023.
How are Applicants Selected? To be eligible for the competition, you must:
- Be a citizen of one of the 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa;
- Be between the ages of 18 and 28 on May 31, 2023;
- Not have been a winner of previous editions.
The World Bank Group reserves the right to research and verify the eligibility of any entrant.
Submissions must be original. The World Bank Group reserves the right to test every entry with an anti-plagiarism software.
The submission deadline is May 20, 2023. Late submissions will be disqualified automatically.
The blog post length should not exceed the following limits: 500 words in English and 650 words in French. Longer entries will be disqualified.
Only one submission per entrant is allowed.
By entering the contest, participants agree to release the World Bank Group from any claims based on the contest, and grant the World Bank Group all rights to their entry, including consent to publish their entered blog post on the World Bank Group’s website and social media channels.
Failure to comply with these rules may result in disqualification from the contest. Bloggers agree to comply with, and be bound by, the decisions of the World Bank Group, which are final and binding on all matters pertaining to this competition. Failure to comply with these rules may result in disqualification from the contest.
Which Countries are Eligible? Sub-Saharan African countries
How Many Awards? 2
What is the Benefit of Award? Two (2) selected winning authors have their choice of: 1) being sponsored to attend the World Bank Group’s International Corruption Hunter’s Alliance 2023 forum, scheduled for June 14-16, 2023 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, pending their availability, or 2) receiving a USD 500 equivalent prize. Top entries from all submissions will have an opportunity to have their blog published on the World Bank’s website.
How to Apply: Submit your original blog entry by May 20, 2023, written in English or French, detailing your ideas about addressing corruption and the negative impacts it has on society. Send your PDF or Word document to Daniel Nikolits, External Affairs Officer for the World Bank’s Integrity Vice Presidency: [email protected].
Visit Award Webpage for Details
