The Doha Islamic Youth Forum (DIYF) focused on good governance and transparency among youth in administration on its opening day at the Qatar National Convention Centre yesterday. 
The opening session gave insights on how good governance could curb corruption, promote rule of law and the role of youth in promoting transparency in administration. It also highlighted how youth should be focused on their responsibilities while enjoying their rights.
The forum is being organised by the Ministry of Culture and Sports, Islamic Youth Co-operation Forum and the youth wing of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation, under the supervision of the Qatar Centre for Cultural and Heritage Events. 
Held under the theme ‘Youth is the power of the nation’ as part of the activities of Doha, Capital of Islamic Youth 2019, the forum will continue until July 11. About 90 young people representing 56 countries from the Islamic world, including 20 Qatari youths, are participating in the forum.
Delivering the opening speech, Amal Ahmed al-Kuwari, head of the Control and Development Department at the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority (ACTA), said transparency and accountability are two key points of good governance. 
She said, “The Sustainable Development Goal 16 of the United Nations aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies. It highlights the need for the rule of law and to treat everyone as equal. Both individual and collective decision-making is another important component of good governance.”
Hussein Ibrahim Alhaj Masoud, an official from the Ministry of Culture and Sports, noted that transparency in administration brings clarity to all administrative decisions. “Good governance should be based on responsibility, accountability and justice. Transparency is the right way of management and administration and a major tool to fight corruption. It is based on competition and equality and will prevent nepotism and leverage for any particular individual or organisation,” 
Masoud said. 
Masoud also noted that transparency promotes mutual respect and develops a culture of civility. “Transparency fights corruption and promotes democracy in a big way. The youth has a big role in ensuring transparency through proactive ways. It can be through innovation, monitoring, encouragement as well as participation,” he added.
According to Hussein Hasan, an official from ACTA, corruption “steals the future and leads to a loss of hope”. 
“Corruption should be fought against with all vigour. About 5% of the global GDP is lost through corruption. Fighting corruption enhances confidence in public institutions and promotes public participation. By stopping corruption, public resources will be protected and domestic and foreign investments can be attracted,” Hasan said.
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