December 2, 2015. The United Nations Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project launched a music video competition, called “Sound the Alarm” that invites young people in the Pacific to share their views and innovative solutions to corruption through music.
“Sound the Alarm” is open from 1 December 2015 until 15 January 2016 for youth between the ages of 18 to 35 to submit original songs with effective anti-corruption messages. The launch was part of the three-day Anti-Corruption Workshop for Pacific Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Nadi, Fiji.
UN-PRAC Programme Associate, Ms. Luisa Senibulu, said the competition is not only searching for talent but also potential youth advocates willing to stand up to corruption and be the voice for anti-corruption messages.
“Youth are creative, energetic and innovative and they are key in the fight against corruption. Through this competition, we would like to encourage Pacific youth to use their musical and singing talents to compose songs that promote anti-corruption messages either as individuals or groups,” said Ms. Senibulu.
“We had a successful competition launch yesterday that was conducted by Pacific youth who are part of the CSO Workshop and we intend to attract more Pacific youth anti-corruption champions and advocates that we can work with going forward,” she added.
Pacific youth representatives present at the launch supported the idea as it will give them an opportunity to voice their message through art.
Bua Urban Youth Network from Fiji, Ms. Vani Catanasiga said, “Corruption is a difficult concept for young people but with art like music and dance, it makes it easier for them to unpack issues like corruption because they do it in their own language.”
ICON Creative Tonga Board Member, Mr. Falakiko Penitani said, “In Tonga, it will be good because the country is already into their creativity especially the young people and “Sound the Alarm” is a positive way to raise awareness with the youth. Conveying messages on corruption has been a challenge and this will get them to talk about the issues in a way they are comfortable in.”
The selection criterion for the competition includes relevance, clarity and responsiveness to the theme, singing quality, originality and creativity. The first, second and third prize winners will have the opportunity to participate in the 2016 Pacific Youth Forum Against Corruption scheduled for May 2016 in Fiji. Winners will also be awarded an iPad as first prize, a video camera as second prize and a guitar as third prize.
Youth applicants should be a national of the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, and Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. They should have a valid passport to travel by May 2016 and should submit songs in English or with English subtitles on YouTube by the closing date.
“Sound the Alarm” is an activity under the UN-PRAC Project that is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with funding from the Australian Government.
PRESS RELEASE