Page 110 - BUKU STRENGTHENING THE INDONESIAN PARLIAMENTARY DIPLOMACY FADLI ZON

Youth and Anti Corruption Movement

The active role of youth in democracy is one of the pivotal element for the cause that we stand
for: a fight against corruption. We are the only organization that has the membership of current
and former parliamentarians who focus solely on anti-corruption issues.

Youth have the potential power to fight against corruption. They are more critical and open
to social change. Their active involvement in democracy is essential for success in curbing
corruption. The youth’s power is important in this endeavor.

We have seen many social movements, rallies and protests, demanding for a fair trial on their
leaders who have been allegedly involve in corruption; those who previously are “untouchable”.
These kind of actions are viral not only because corruption spreads, but also because the action
of one, two, three and more young people who were dissatisfied on the cause. And since today’s
generation are more advance in using technologies. They are using social media as platform to
voice out their opinion in a faster, smarter and more creative ways than we can ever imagine.

We have today, the largest youth population ever. There are about 1.8 billion young people
between the ages of 10-24. If we combine it more with those in the age group of 25-30, the
number will be even larger. And these numbers are bases for the need to involve youth in the
struggle to fight against corruption.

Many of these young generation see their potentials are blocked by extreme poverty and by
all means, corruption. World Economic Forum’s Partnering Against Corruption Initiative and
the UN Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has portrayed how the millennial generation (18-
34yo) perception on corruption.

Selected Speeches of the Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia I 97