Corruption is an endemic problem in many parts of the world. In Armenia, Dexis works with local youth to promote greater integrity in society.
Like many other countries, Armenia has struggled with a legacy of systemic corruption for decades. The Armenian public’s continuing perception is that education, as a sector, is particularly affected by this issue, with higher education being “hampered by a culture of bribery.” Despite Armenian authorities’ success in reducing bribery in recent years, local watchdog organizations report that the education sector still suffers from corruption. Each wave of graduates facing corrupt practices in schools and universities builds a tolerance for malpractice, causing long-term damage to society by compromising their integrity and values.
Aida, an 18-year-old graduate of Azatan Secondary School in the Shirak region of Armenia, has seen lavish gifts sent to teachers that often lead to inflated grades and unregistered absences. But our Dexis team in Armenia is helping young people like Aida push back against a deeply entrenched culture of corruption.
The All for Equal Rights Foundation (ARF), a youth-focused civil society organization, created school debate clubs on integrity-related topics.
Youth Shake Up the Status Quo
Engaging youth is crucial for effectively combatting corruption, particularly as young people make up a significant portion of the Armenian population. They also tend to be more open to social change and transformation, often lacking a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. To leverage this, our team develops integrity-related activities for Armenian youth ages 14 to 23, encompassing secondary and high school pupils, as well as university students.
Corruption: Shift+Delete
The All for Equal Rights Foundation, (ARF), a youth-focused civil society organization, led the “Corruption: Shift+Delete” project, supported by our team in Armenia. While “Corruption: Shift+Delete” initially educated students on integrity and anti-corruption issues, the project quickly evolved, as ARF developed creative solutions including debate clubs, social media campaigns, and an integrity-themed board game.
ARF engaged more than 400 youth over 20 debates in Ararat and Gyumri communities of Armenia. Representatives from vulnerable communities, NGOs working with children facing challenges, organizations empowering teenage girls, and members of the national minorities joined the debates. This inclusive approach ensured a rich exchange of perspectives and experiences. Debate participants explored and discussed the country’s integrity systems—anti-corruption laws and regulations defining and prohibiting corrupt practices; freedom of information laws that promote transparency and access to government information; anti-corruption agencies responsible for investigating and prosecuting corruption cases; independent oversight bodies to monitor government activities and ensure accountability; as well as codes of conduct and ethical guidelines for public officials and employees.
Students from the Shirak region also created video reels for social media addressing integrity-related issues and sharing how youth can make an impact. They also pledged to actively engage in projects focused on anti-corruption and integrity, raise awareness within their circles and communities, and assist individuals and the media in addressing corruption cases. The “Corruption: Shift+Delete” social media campaign garnered significant attention, with over 400,000 photo and video views, reaching well over 200,000 users. The campaign also received over 16,000 likes, showcasing the resonance of the initiative across various online platforms.
ARF also developed and distributed 360 digital and physical Integrity board games to youth in Yerevan and various regions of Armenia. The educational tool aims to enhance awareness of civic education by fostering critical thinking and media literacy skills.
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The Path Forward
We will continue to amplify the voices of youth and empower them to drive positive change in Armenia. For example, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport, ARF will launch Integrity Debate Clubs in eight educational institutions across different regions of the country. The objective is to establish this as a standard practice for all schools in Armenia.
The path forward requires continuous engagement, innovative strategies, and a dedication to building a future where youth play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability. Eliminating corruption in education demands ongoing commitment and collaboration from all stakeholders, but we are encouraged by the belief that the power of youth-led initiatives is an unstoppable force for positive transformation.
Special thanks to the dedicated staff of the Armenia Integrity Project, including Kristine Hovhannisyan, Team Lead at the USAID AIP project, a professional with over 15 years of experience in communication and project management and Lusine Zhamharyan, a dedicated communications specialist at the USAID AIP project with expertise in communication, media, and public outreach, as well as Lilit Ayvazyan, a dedicated young communications specialist at the ARF.
