African development action with informed and engaged societies
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
Time to read
2 minutes
Read so far

Global Youth Anti-Corruption Network (GYAC)

0 comments

Launched in 2010, the Global Youth Anti-Corruption Network (GYAC) brings together young leaders, journalists, artists, and experts in information and communication technologies (ICT) from civil society all over the world who work to improve transparency and social accountability for better governance. Supported by the World Bank Institute (WBI) and facilitated by the Voices Against Corruption Program, GYAC provides a platform for its members to share knowledge and experience, so they can learn from each other. It also provides its members support for capacity and knowledge building in various governance areas, and on using ICT tools so that the youth will be enabled to drive reform processes and contribute to positive changes in their respective countries and regions.

Communication Strategies

GYAC supports its members by:

  • connecting global members through a web platform so they can discuss and share experiences, forge partnerships, prescribe solutions, and stand together against corruption;
  • raising awareness about corrupt practices in their respective communities;
  • using music through artists and "artivists" who send the anti-corruption message to all young people around the world - across different backgrounds and experiences;
  • using responsible journalism and giving young journalists a platform to write about governance and anti-corruption related issues (GYAC enhances its reach though various media outlets and other partners that sensitise the public about corruption);
  • sharing knowledge, experiences, and ideas and collaborating on anti-corruption initiatives through its web platform, social media outlets, and face-to-face conferences;
  • developing tools and strategies to improve transparency and social accountability, with an emphasis on the use of ICT.

Key programme activities include the following:

Fair Play
Fair Play is a global anti-corruption music competition that inspires original music videos on social and corruption issues, inviting the musicians, or "artivists", to submit their songs. It has engaged artists from over 50 countries as ambassadors for the anti-corruption movement, presenting Fair Play Live concerts in Brussels (2010), Nairobi (2011), and Brasília (2012). Fair Play's musicians engage their communities in the fight against corruption, giving a voice to their daily struggles and delivering a global call to action to governments, businesses, and civil society to come together in tackling corruption. Music can be viewed on the Fair Play website

 

Regional and Global Voices Against Corruption Forums
In partnership with the British Council Global Changemakers, GYAC started the Community Action Project mini-grants (WBI CAP), valued at up to US$3,000, in June 2010. To date, the competitively distributed grants have supported 12 projects from different regions, focusing on various sectors relating to corruption - all using ICT to leverage youth involvement and outreach.

 

Regional and Global Voices Against Corruption Forums
The Regional and Global Voices Against Corruption Forums have built upon the achievements of the Network over time at the national, regional, and global levels. These events bring together members of the Global Youth Anti-Corruption Network for face-to-face discussions, allowing them to inspire the anti-corruption work they carry out year-round by sharing knowledge, experiences, and ideas on their work, as well as developing tools and approaches to deepen their impact on governance reform processes in their countries. The Forums have also allowed members to implement a collaboratively designed operating structure for the Network through the official GYAC Charter, which maps out specific governing bodies, communication channels, and more fluid operating processes and functions.

Development Issues

Governance, Anti-corruption, Youth

Key Points

Since its launch in 2010, GYAC has over 60 member non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from over 45 countries and over 1,500 members on its web platform.

Partners

Voices Against Corruption Program, World Bank Institute (WBI), Jeunesses Musicales International (JMI)

Sources