In a World where “more is better” corruption is just a short cut, an easy path, to improve personal status and power, whether that power is Political, Economic, Organizational or Physical/Sexual.

Even children are “bought” with gifts in order to have a correct behavior and they are punished if they do something they want/need but that is not desired by the most powerful party, the parents. Corruption feels natural, logic and adequate.

But does that mean that corruption should go on forever? Does that mean that corruption is acceptable? If not, what can we do to fight it and if possible eliminate it?

In the previous example, if children could understand that they are only doing what is in their best interest (going to bed early, doing their homework, brushing their teeth and so on) it wouldn’t be necessary to buy them; if they were fully aware of the consequences of their actions; if they were aligned with their parents ambitions and committed to achieve them; if they were properly taught and the conditions were there for them to do the right thing, compensation would be pointless.

So we begin to realize that more than from laws and regulations, the solution for the problem of corruption must arise from individuals who give the example and families who foster education and the respect for fundamental human values.

The ABCDE is the way to achieve deep, consistent change in perception and behavior:

• Awareness
• Belonging
• Commitment
• Development
• Education

Awareness comes from self knowledge and a profound desire to understand and be in harmony with the surrounding environment. Belonging is sharing feelings, aspirations and values with a group that can be a family, a company, a country and ultimately all humanity, it is caring for others, protecting, trusting and loving them. Commitment is where the power to enthusiastically convert ideals to concrete realities lies. Development happens when a suboptimal equilibrium is identified and corrected. Unfairness, inequality, poverty and discrimination are all examples of imperfect realities, challenges for the new generation of developing leaders. Education is the greatest gift someone can give or receive. It is the perpetuation of the knowledge accumulated over the centuries, but it is also giving people the power to create new knowledge and sharing it with the coming generations. We will certainly take nothing with us when we depart from this planet, but we have the beautiful opportunity to leave a positive change behind.

Our best advice and most felt wish is that each one of us makes of life an opportunity to give a good example by implementing the ABCDE in every day actions. Others will follow, change will come.

By Pedro Roque, for the 2009 Edition of the World Youth Forum, Brussels.