Speakers including foreign delegation put emperies on the need of everyone’s participation in fight against corruption in order to achieve sustainability in the country’s progress.
They came up with the notion at the inauguration of a cartoon and photography contest alongside five-day long exhibition, marking the international anti-corruption day, arranged byTransparency International Bangladesh (TIB) at the capital’s Gallery Drik on Sunday.
TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman in his inaugural speech said his organization have always meant to use cartoon as a tool to fight corruption since its interception.
“Through cartoons youth send powerful message on how to combat corruption,” he added.
Dr Luke Mukubvu, Governance and Institutional Adviser of Public Finance Management and Service Delivery, DFID Bangladeshemphasized on the citizens’ involvement in fight against corruption.
He also lauded for the participations of young generation in the war against corruption through satire and photography.
Andres Ohrstrom, Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Development Cooperation, Embassy of Sweden stressed
on the cooperation between government and the people in order to eradicate corruption mentioning it as a must to attain Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He further said that Sweden is keen to work closely with TIB to take drastic measures in spreading awareness against corruption. Winnie Estrup Petersen, the Royal Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh, said, “A transparent and accountable government for corruption control needs to be maintained for SDGs. To which Bangladesh and other countries have signed up for.”
Recognising TIB’s youth engagement initiatives, she hoped that such initiatives would add significant contribution to the social movement against corruption.
Chairperson of Board of Trustees of TIB Advocate Sultana Kamal said cartoons are comments on society.
“It’s also the manifestation of freedom of expression,” she added. In conclusion, she urged everyone to unite for the war against corruption.
Following their speeches, prizes were distributed among six winners and 55 special mention cartoonists parted in two categories alongside 23 photographers including three winners and 20 special mention photographers.
