The Agency for the Prevention of Corruption and Coordination of the Fight Against Corruption (APIK) today organized an award ceremony at the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) building, in recognition of the competition conducted for the best literary and visual arts works by primary school students, as well as photo and video works by secondary school students in Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the topic "Fair and to Their Own Detriment."
The awards were presented by the Agency's Deputy Directors, Damirka Mioč and Rade Ristović, and the project was introduced by Tahani Komarica, Senior Expert Associate for the Development and Implementation of Educational Programs at the Agency.
In her address, Deputy Director Mioč emphasized the importance of education as the pillar upon which the future of any society rests.
Young people are the drivers of development in any society, and the world rests on them. The works on the topic "Fair and to Their Own Detriment" clearly communicate an important message from young people to us adults, said Deputy Director Mioč, and thanked the teachers and professors who supported the students in this project.
Deputy Director Ristović, in his address, highlighted the negative impact of corruption on all spheres of life and pointed out the significance of young people in the fight against corruption.
Since this year's award ceremony was organized in the premises of the State Investigation and Protection Agency, which has a division primarily focused on preventing and investigating financial crime and corruption, the awarded students and their teachers were also addressed by Novak Mijović, Director’s Advisor for Operational Work, and Sadmir Karović, Investigator in the Department for Preventing and Detecting Financial Crime and Corruption in the Criminal Investigation Division, highlighting the importance of fighting corruption and involving young people to raise awareness about the issue of corruption.
The Agency awarded a total of 12 students in four categories, with the first-place winners receiving tablets, second-place winners receiving smartwatches, and third-place winners receiving Bluetooth headphones, as well as three special awards.
The public call on various topics related to ethics and integrity is organized by the Agency each year on December 9th – International Anti-Corruption Day.
The goal of the public call is for primary and secondary school students in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the help of their teachers, to reflect on the given topic, share their experiences, and consider the importance of ethical values and integrity.
The best visual arts works, photographs, and excerpts from the best literary works are used for educational and promotional purposes at various events organized or participated in by the Agency.