An Agent of Change

Youths taking notes during a presentation at the MMYDC.

"Being a young lady growing up in this day and age, I want to be an agent of change in my community and the opportunity to attend the Mike Manning Youth Democracy Camp (MMYDC) pushed me in the right direction.”


 
18 year old Marzena Ann Marinjembia a Grade 12 student at Kilakila Secondary who is also the President of the school’s Youth Against Corruption Association (YACA) says she believes that for one to make an impact in their society, change has to start and come from within.

She said she was privileged to join other youths from all over PNG to take part in the MMYDC which took place from the 17th to the 28th of September.

Marzena revealed that she had taken part in other YACA activities before but the recent camp itself was an eye opener because it was very influencing and encouraging.
“I want to be the change in my society but to lead comes with so much responsibility and starting out at a very young age with a positive mindset in tackling the issue of corruption is the right way to go. I know that what this camp instilled in me will go a long way for me personally,” Marzena said.

16 year old Numa Kila is one of many youngsters with a passion to change their communities and country as a whole. A Grade 11 student at the Jubilee Catholic Secondary, Numa revealed that the camp itself opened his eyes to the issue of corruption and how individuals should best approach it.

“I am so honoured to take part in this youth camp with youngsters from all over PNG, who have different ideas on tackling the issue of corruption. I’ve learnt a lot and I will definitely put this into practice and also encourage my peers to do the same at school and at home,” Numa said.

“Corruption is everywhere and it is our responsibility to speak up and pinpoint what is wrong and right, don’t pretend that it is not happening because corruption affects all of us, as this famous saying tells us “ The most tragic loss in life is being silent on what matters the most.”

The Mike Manning Youth Democracy Camp is an annual event held by Transparency International PNG funded by the Australian Government through the Strongim Pipol Strongim Nesen Program.  The youth camp enables youngsters to avoid, identify and tackle the issue of corruption individually, and it prepares them to be advocates in the fight against corruption. It also empowers them to participate more effectively in the Youth Against Corruption Associations in their respective schools.

This year a total of PGK 276,000 was budgeted for the MMYDC in which 59 students, 30 girls and 29 boys, from 17 provinces across PNG attended.