On July 11 and 12, 2024, a workshop titled “DigitalVSCorruption” was organized by the “Open Doors” center in the framework of the project titled “DigitalVSCorruption” supported by the European Union. Mrs. Eneida Jukniu, the project manager of the Open Doors Center, conducted a two days workshops in the county of Shkodra with young people age 14 – 18 years old.
The workshops were held at the Austrian School HTL “Peter Mahringer”, with participants from Classes 4A and 4B. The workshops, which lasted for 90 minutes each, aimed to educate students on the various aspects of corruption and ways to combat it. In this workshop, two young participants of the Piranj TC, Abela Kodra and Franko Keci, shared their knowledge and experience.
Workshops Objectives
The primary objectives of the workshops were to:
1. Define and explain the concept of corruption.
2. Discuss strategies and tools to combat corruption.
3. Present statistics on corruption worldwide.
4. Identify platforms and authorities where corruption can be reported.
5. Explore the various forms of corruption.
The workshops started by defining corruption as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, highlighting its manifestations in public services, business, and politics. Students and teachers discussed examples like bribery, nepotism, and embezzlement. During the workshops were presented strategies to fight corruption, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and integrity in both public and private sectors. The participants of the Piraj training course introduced digital tools and platforms that enhance transparency and reduce corruption opportunities, discussing concepts like whistleblowing and digital monitoring systems.
The presenters provided a global perspective on corruption using data from Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), discussing the prevalence of corruption in various countries and factors influencing their scores. The workshop also covered reporting channels for corruption, including anti-corruption agencies, online platforms, and NGOs. Mrs. Eneida Jukniu stressed the importance of detailed and accurate information when reporting corrupt activities.
Participants Engagement
Throughout the workshops, participants from both classes actively participated by asking questions, sharing their thoughts, and engaging in group discussions. The interactive nature of the workshops ensured that the students were not only recipients of information but also active contributors to the conversation. The Austrian School “Peter Mahringer” plans to conduct more workshops on important societal issues in the future.
The impact of the workshops was significant. They successfully educated students and teachers about corruption and methods to combat it. By understanding the nature of corruption and learning how to use digital tools to fight it, participants gained valuable knowledge to help reduce corruption in their communities. The workshops also encouraged participants to report corrupt activities and become more aware of the importance of transparency and accountability in society.
Throughout the workshops, the young participants actively engaged with the material. They asked insightful questions, shared their thoughts, and participated in group discussions. Their positive attitude and active involvement demonstrated their interest in the topic and willingness to contribute to the fight against corruption. The workshops effectively fostered a proactive and responsible attitude toward reducing and reporting corruption among the students and teachers.
