Student Leaders Urged to Champion Integrity and Accountability

“As young leaders, we must be empowered by the knowledge that government and public officials serve the people — not themselves or a select few,” said Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) Acting Deputy Commissioner Lisiate Fotofili while opening the 2025 Young Leaders Seminar – Western Division at Xavier College in Ba this morning.

Addressing Head Boys and Head Girls from 20 secondary schools across the Western Division, A/DC Fotofili reminded students that corruption occurs when someone misuses their public position for personal gain.

He highlighted this year’s theme, “Empowering Young Leaders through Digital Literacy for Anti-Corruption,” and explained the need for students to develop foundational digital skills to effectively engage in the fight against corruption in a technology-driven era.

“With advancements in technology, we’re seeing corruption-related offenses committed through digital platforms,” he said. “That’s why we must adapt. At FICAC, we have some of the best-trained digital forensics professionals in the country — capable of retrieving information from phones or computers, even if it has been deleted or encrypted.”

Fotofili also encouraged participants to make the most of the two-day seminar and absorb the knowledge shared by presenters.

“Learn from the speakers and facilitators. They are living, breathing, walking libraries,” he said.

The seminar, organized by FICAC, aligns with the Commission’s ongoing mission to nurture a culture of integrity and resistance to unethical behavior by empowering future leaders through education and awareness.