On 12 November 2020, the RAI Secretariat joined representatives of the international community (British Embassy, US Embassy, OECD), civil society organizations (Transparency International, CPRC, Vasa prava BiH), and the academia (University of Sarajevo and University of Eastern Sarajevo) in the Student-Related Event ‘Making next steps in raising awareness about corruption with the next generation’ organized by Deloitte on the occasion of the marking of the International Fraud Awareness Week, a regional effort which encompasses Belgrade, Ljubljana, Sarajevo, and Zagreb. The event was attended by 40 students of law faculties and the faculties of economics.

Ms. Elmerina Ahmetaj Hrelja, the Project Manager – Anticorruption Expert of the RAI Secretariat’s Project ‘Breaking the Silence: Enhancing Whistleblowing Policies and Culture in Western Balkans and Moldova’ funded by the European Union, participated in the panel discussion titled ‘The new generation and corruption: How to improve the status quo?’. Ms. Ahmetaj Hrelja discussed the concept of whistleblowing and its purpose, EU standards on whistleblower protection, and the views of youth about whistleblowing and the fight against corruption, as expressed in the youth survey. As pointed out by Ms. Ahmetaj Hrelja ‘the survey was a reminder of the capacity of youth to contribute to the building of a free society, by demonstrating openness to change and innovation, being willing to take risks, and possessing the energy, commitment, and idealism necessary to challenge unjust systems and structures, as well as to envision more just alternatives’.

Published November 13, 2020