Fighting Corruption: Young People Called to Be the Vanguard of Integrity

On the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day, Transparency Mauritius and Democracy Watch highlight the impact of corruption on young people and emphasize the importance of integrity education from a young age.

Are "brown envelopes" and bribery things of the past? Not really, as in Mauritius, corruption has taken on much more sophisticated forms. This International Anti-Corruption Day, observed on December 9, with the slogan "Do not sell your worth for a favor," Transparency Mauritius reminds us that corruption has infiltrated institutions, the economy, and the daily lives of Mauritians, directly impacting the youth. Laura Jaymangal, the executive director, paints a grim picture while urging young people "to make integrity their own fight."

For her, the first priority is to move beyond a simplistic view. "Corruption is defined as the abuse of delegated power for personal gain. In Mauritius, corruption has evolved far beyond simple envelope transactions to become a sophisticated and systemic phenomenon," she explains. Money laundering, organized tax fraud, transnational corruption, public procurement fraud: major corruption and financial crimes often occur "at the expense of public services and the local economy."

But that's not all. Institutionalized practices undermine the system from within and "compromise meritocracy and good governance": favoritism, nepotism, conflicts of interest, and abuse of discretionary power. With the emergence of new forms such as digital corruption, influence peddling, and environmental corruption, control becomes even more complex.

Beyond major scandals, daily life is affected. In both public administration and private sectors, certain behaviors have gradually become "normal," creating a culture of impunity where "everyone does it" becomes a moral justification. This normalization weakens trust in institutions and makes promoting integrity and transparency more difficult.

This system hits young people hard, sometimes even before they enter the job market. Access to quality education and first jobs can already be skewed by "connections" and favoritism. "In education, access to the best schools, for example, is often influenced by networks and connections, creating a genuine two-speed education system," notes Laura Jaymangal.

The tragedy? "It is often the parents themselves who highlight their connections or consider it normal to ask someone to help their children, thus reinforcing this unequal system."

Dr. Michael Atchia from Democracy Watch shares the same observation. When asked about the impact of corruption on access to education, scholarships, or employment, he warns: "Unfortunately, the possibility of corruption, unfair support, and backdoor routes to scholarships and jobs has, at least in part, become a norm."

Regarding employment, Laura Jaymangal believes that recruitment in public service, internships, and first jobs favor "connected" candidates, sidelining many qualified young people and contributing to the "brain drain." This systemic corruption leads to feelings of frustration and despair among the youth, she adds. Why bother to work hard if everything seems predetermined?

Even worse, Dr. Michael Atchia argues: those who refuse to play the game are stigmatized. "Those who say, 'I will only take the right path, meritocracy,' find themselves disappointed and even labeled by others in their group as too idealistic or losers!"

Young people, according to him, are not naive. They see, hear, and compare, thanks to education that preaches "a clear, fair, meritocratic life," but especially through the media and discussions among themselves that showcase "daily examples of corruption among older generations from all sides."

Laura Jaymangal observes a generation torn between mobilization and resignation. On one hand, a segment is engaged and aware: exposed to information via social media, these young people are more vocal thanks to digital platforms, mobilizing during media-scandals and demanding more transparency. On the other hand, a concerning fatalism persists: many view corruption as the norm, a survival strategy, disengaging politically by thinking that "all politicians are the same" and developing early cynicism towards institutions.

"The tragedy is that this fatalism is often reinforced by the behaviors of the adults themselves," she emphasizes. Thus, the challenge is to transform this passive indignation into constructive civic action. "Young people are not lacking in awareness, but they need effective channels to translate their frustration into real change, to see that integrity can prevail, that whistleblowers are protected, and that their voices matter."

In light of this, Transparency Mauritius has chosen to invest in schools, colleges, and universities to discuss integrity in an accessible language. They are organizing interactive workshops on ethics, responsible citizenship, and integrity, tailored to different school levels, as well as competitions and artistic projects. "In fact, this week, we are unveiling a mural at the University of Mauritius, painted by students to denounce corruption," announces Laura Jaymangal. The Youth Roundtables, quarterly meetings, also allow young people to express themselves, analyze governance issues, and participate actively in civic life. For her, the work begins very early, in "small gestures": not cheating, telling the truth, refusing unfair advantages. Explaining corruption to a teenager requires "a realistic yet positive approach," showing them the mechanisms of the phenomenon and its consequences while helping them understand that they are part of the solution, not the problem.

A message of hope

Dr. Michael Atchia goes even further. For him, it all starts in early childhood. "We must begin talking about integrity, justice, and fair play from a young age – in the stroller, in the cradle, before preschool." The role of parents and siblings is crucial: it is through example that they will instill in the child a sense of justice and meritocracy. Meritocracy can only exist, he reminds us, if adults also accept to set an example.

Schools also have a central role to play, especially in preschool and primary education, "by shaping attitudes toward life." Programs already exist: Citizenship, Social Studies, Ethics and Life Skills. However, Dr. Atchia emphasizes "the absence of such studies in many schools and colleges."

On this International Day, the message directed at the Mauritian youth is both realistic and hopeful. "The fight against corruption is also yours, as your future is at stake," declares Laura Jaymangal. Every gesture, every choice matters in building a fairer and more transparent society. "It is essential to understand that defending integrity is not limited to major cases: it starts from an early age, in your daily actions, your studies, your future job, and your civic participation."