April 19, 2023
Good morning to all or our distinguished guest.
Salama tompoko and good morning
I am pleased to have this opportunity to speak with you today, even if I am unable to be there in person.
I commend Ke Rafitoson and her team at Transparency International – Initiative for developing this nationwide network of anti-corruption clubs and for organizing this summit.
I am so proud that the U.S. Embassy is supporting Transparency International on this Malagasy Youth Against Corruption Summit. I expect that the activities and sessions you will participate in over the next few days will build your capacity to lead your anti-corruption clubs, to promote good governance, and to empower your members to be leaders in the fight against corruption.
And this summit is just the beginning. Good governance is everyone’s responsibility. The theme of this summit – Integrity in Public Governance – encourages us to imagine the kind of country we want Madagascar to be and to identify concrete ways to move closer to those goals. Every step matters, so even if your clubs can identify small actions in your schools or in your communities, actions that encourage transparency and accountability, those can help create an expectation of transparency and build the habit of accountability.
Madagascar needs young people just like you to be active, informed, and vocal citizens who will advocate for transparency and accountability in Madagascar’s governance. Some of you may even follow in the footsteps of Monsieur Jean de Dieu, President of the Court of Accounts, and work within the government to improve governance and accountability.
Jean de Dieu is an alumnus of the U.S. International Visitors Leadership Program, and last year, he received the U.S. Department of States Anti-corruption Champion Award for consistently demonstrating transparency, commitment to the rule of law, and the willingness to implement reforms designed to improve the Supreme Audit Institution’s effectiveness in Madagascar.
We will continue to work with the Government of Madagascar and civil society leaders just like you to make government processes more transparent for the benefit of all Malagasy citizens.
So good luck and I so look forward to hearing about the actions you and your clubs take as a result of this event.
Misaotra betsaka and thank you.