Foundation for International Human Resource Development
International Conference on Corruption
Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Nonthaburi
Wednesday 1st May 2013
Orientation & Learning Forum: ASEAN Ethic Role Model and Leadership Development
Prof. Dr. Chira Hongladarom
Secretary-General
Foundation for International Human Resource Development
Prof Chira welcomed all participants from ASEAN countries, and thanked NACC for its cooperation in hosting this Youth Camp. The objectives of this session are to discuss the work to be done together over the coming 9 days, and to exchange ideas among participants.
Prof Chira began with the 3 pillars of cooperation of ASEAN- economic, social/cultural, and security/politics. Because corruption undermines all three of these 3 pillars, it is vital that we address corruption in all its forms.
Whilst ASEAN is moving to facilitate the free flow of goods and services within the bloc, the cost of doing business remains high. These costs are further increased by widespread, deep-seated and systemic corruption, leading to weakening of national competitiveness in a global market. There is therefore a major need to improve ASEAN’s economic integration at global level.
Corruption also presents risks to national security. It is therefore imperative that the new generation in ASEAN member states should prioritize the fight against corruption by embracing a new ‘Anti-corruption culture’ with a spirit of transparency and honesty.
To accomplish this challenge, collaboration among the people of ASEAN in anti-corruption initiatives will be essential if we are to work, share and learn from one another. Anti-corruption is also a cross-disciplinary effort, requiring expertise in diverse domains. Despite the disparity in implementation of anti-corruption measures around Asia, Prof. Chira expressed the hope that participants in this 9-day Youth Camp would learn, share and reflect, and that ASEAN’s younger generation will be motivated to serve as Ambassadors to extend the anti-corruption message both in their own countries and around the world.
Prof Chira reminded participants that this Youth Camp will examine diverse beliefs, attitudes and approaches to anti-corruption policies and practices though the lens of “Ethical Capital”. Each country differs in attitudes to corruption according to the prevailing socio-cultural and economic contexts. Prof. Chira noted that in Thailand, money and wealth are the symbols of success, irrespective of how they were acquired. Yet ultimately, we will need to face the enormous conflict with prevailing materialist values across all ASEAN countries, promoted by the media and rewarded by society.
Dr Chira introduced the theories of “8K’s” and “5K’s in the context of building ethical capital, and emphasized the critical importance of nurturing ethical capital among youth in ASEAN. Whilst the ‘8K’s Theory’ identifies 8 categories of capital (human, intellectual, ethical, happiness, social, sustainability, digital and talented), the ‘5Ks Theory’ offers an alternative typology of human capital (Creativity, Knowledge, Innovation, Cultural and Emotional Capital).
Prof Chira emphasized the importance of instilling ethical norms and building ethical capital at an early age- at school and at University. ASEAN can become a role model in this regard.
How important is ethical capital? Peter Drucker said “If a person has 3 qualities: integrity, creativity and innovation, without integrity, creativity and innovation will be useless.”
However, promoting the notion of ethical capital in our highly competitive world will not be easy, but it will nevertheless be essential. How can we transform ourselves to develop a new culture of honesty and transparency, where people earn money based on ability and wisdom, not from corruption; and where the honest are honoured, and the corrupt subjected to social sanction?
After this Youth Camp, it will be important for participants to sustain the linkages built over the coming 9 days in order to develop shared anti-corruption initiatives at regional levels and beyond. Prof Chira concluded his presentation by encouraging participants in this Youth Camp to be inspired by the region’s cultural diversity; we need to foster the ASEAN spirit in order to lead the region on a long and difficult journey, and to share, learn, and work together with a passion to make it happen.
Following his presentation, Prof Chira introduced the Youth Camp programme and activities for the coming 9 days. He encouraged participants to approach the Youth Camp and activities with a 2Rs approach: ’Reality and Relevance’; to be guided by the ‘2I’s: Inspiration and Imagination’, and also to ensure that their ideas and initiatives add value.
Country representatives were then invited to speak from the podium, in regard to expectations from the Youth Camp.
1. Cambodia
· Thanks to Thailand for hosting this Youth Camp
· Inspired by the presentation of Prof Chira
· Family, school and society all have a role in directing and shaping moral values.
2. Indonesia
· Thanks to Thailand for hosting this important Youth Camp.
· Cultural differences are wide within, as well as among, ASEAN countries.
· Young people in Indonesia tend to have much more of a focus on transparency.
· We would like to see more cooperation rather than competition within ASEAN.
3. Lao PDR
· Thank you Prof Chira for an inspiring introduction.
· Lao PDR is a developing country- what are the main challenges in building ethical capital?
4. Malaysia
· We would like to extend our appreciation to NACC, FIHRD and Prof Chira.
· One initiative in Malaysia has been to set up anti-corruption secretariats within universities, in order to nurture the integrity of students.
· How can perceptions of corruption be changed?
5. Myanmar
· I am here because we believe in diversity for ethical capital development.
· In Myanmar the family is strong, and community-based values are developed at an early stage.
· We look forward to collaborating with others in the region in anti-corruption measures.
6. Philippines
· Is it necessary or desirable to define the term ‘corruption’? Definitions can limit the scope.
· Where do you draw the line in regard to social values? Is corruption subjective?
7. Singapore
· Judgment is a more important skill than knowledge.
· In Singapore, civic and moral education is taught as part of the school curriculum, aiming to instill moral values and the obligations of citizenship from an early age.
· With Singapore’s cultural and religious diversity, it is a major and important challenge to find common ground to approach anti-corruption, and we have a lot to learn from our counterparts in ASEAN.
· However, we ask whether the ASEAN policy of minimal intervention in each other’s domestic affairs might serve as an impediment to collaboration on anti-corruption measures.
8. Thailand
· Thanks for the inspiration.
· We have two questions- with 65% of poll respondents in Bangkok claiming they would accept corruption provided there is some benefit, how can we change that?
· How to encourage social sanctions against the corrupt?
9. Vietnam
· Vietnam is in a transitional stage, and money is the prime symbol of success in Vietnam today.
· Yet, ethical capital is being instilled through the school curriculum, but more is needed, especially at primary school level.