The great American singer George Benson once sang that:

“I believe that children are our future

Teach them well and let them lead the way..”

I often reflect on that song because it was used as my high school graduating class theme song. Today, some of those same children at my alma mater, together with countless others who had been ‘taught well’ are our leaders.

The theme of this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day is therefore eternally timely, indeed we must all Unite with Youth Against Corruption, in order to shape tomorrow’s integrity. As stated by the United Nations, we continue to face complex challenges, in many instances intimately connected to corruption and economic crime, which drain resources from communities while systematically weakening institutions, meant to protect citizens.

In the Turks and Caicos Islands, as in other jurisdictions, when the state’s resources are impacted by corruption, it is usually the most vulnerable, of whom young people are usually disproportionately represented, who are most affected.      

As revealed in a global youth essay competition in 2024, young people feel they are often the first to face the consequences of corruption, such as:

underfunded schools limiting access to quality education,

scarce job opportunities, reducing their prospects,

healthcare becoming less accessible, and

opportunities for participation in public life being restricted.

These same global concerns found local youth expression at the Turks and Caicos Islands Integrity Commission 2025 Integrity Speak-Off Competition held on 24^th November 24th, 2025. As indicated in our press release on the event, it delivered an energizing display of intelligence, moral conviction, and youth leadership.

The Integrity Commission is actively committed to spreading the message of integrity to the young people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, join us, as we seek to teach them well, so that they may lead the way in shaping tomorrow’s integrity.