Partners Serbia, Becej Youth Association and Bureau for Social Research (BIRODI) organized the debate “Openly about Corruption” with students of Becej High School on June 6, 2019.

We discussed about corruption, public finances, information access procedures, the importance of open and transparent institutions, integrity and activism of citizens at the local level, as well as the reasons why young people nowadays are not more involved in the fight against corruption.

The goal of this debate cycle, which Partners Serbia has been organizing since the beginning of the year, is to contribute to a better understanding of important social values: democracy, rule of law, accountability and freedom of speech. Also, the purpose of the debate is to encourage students and young people to express their views on these topics and participate in activities and initiatives that help the protection of these values in their local communities.

The debates are part of the Future of the Freedom of Information in Serbia that Partners Serbia are implementing in cooperation with the Bureau for Social Research (BIRODI) and Law Scanner, which is supported by the Delegation of the European Union in Serbia. The Project aims to actively involve civil society organizations and young people (primarily students) in defending the public’s right to know, in order to ensure the use of transparency and accountability standards in Serbia. In addition, through strengthening mechanisms for citizen participation and free media reporting, the Project promotes and supports the rule of law, primarily in the context of European integration, thus contributing to the reform process and the entire process of democratization of society.

One more debate will be organized within the Project.