Stand Up Against Corruption Through Music and Dance
A chance meeting with Fijian singer Josa Nailati in 2022 became the catalyst for the creation of integrity and anti-corruption songs by Youths4Integrity, the youth network of CLCT Integrity Fiji, a Chapter IF of Transparency International.
“For CSOs in the anti-corruption space, advocating on it is usually challenging. There is the legal jargon and the technical language.
“We have to be creative in spreading anti-corruption messages since we have to compete in the global media environment with other messages that the public may feel are more worthy of their time,” Grace Konrote, the youth coordinator said.
“Long lectures bore the public. That is why we turned to videos, songs, contemporary dances, posters, and social media to spread anti-corruption advocacy.”
Using amateur filmmakers in high schools and universities, Youths4Integrity leaders and members have developed integrity and anti-corruption YouTube videos.
The group has also put out contemporary dances, posters, flyers, banners to spread their messages.
Still smarting from “Take It Away,” a song composed and sung by YFIs to the tune of “Wimbowey” and with snide comments from baby boomers on Facebook on the flat singing (Dau yavu domo ca!), the leaders decided to get professional help.
In January 2022, Fiji had reappeared in the global Corruption Perceptions Index after a lapse of 16 years. The last CPI for Fiji was in 2004. To celebrate and also publicise anticorruption strategies, Mr Nailati was commissioned to come up with the Fiji CPI song “Stand Up Against Corruption.”
“We were inspired by comments on Josa’s YouTube channel to continue producing more songs.”
One wrote, “I don’t know why this song got me emotional but Power to Music and Lyrics! Let’s all be beacons of hope for a better future !# Stand Up Against Corruption.
Yet another wrote: “It takes courage to voice our opinions against corruption, verbally or in writing. But you chose this genre to do just that! And I must say, with that beat, it surely is gonna have a knock out ripple effect this corrupt world needs to get your message through!”
“Funding for the anti-corruption expressive arts has been provided by Transparency International. We are also deeply grateful for the huge support provided by the British High Commissioner Dr Brian Jones and his Deputy, Nicola Noble,” Ms Konrote said.
“They have always provided a very inspiring venue (the UK High Commission Residence) and sumptuous food in launching all of Josa’s anticorruption songs. This means so much to us.”
The culmination of years of hard work was the Launch of the Integrity and Anti-Corruption Album entitled ‘Integrity’ by CLCT Integrity Fiji / Transparency International at the UK Residence on February 23. A collective of local artists comprising Mr Nailati, Jedidiah, Tuinasavusavu, Paulini Bautani, Sofaia Sereicocoko, Eta Gonerogo, and the sensational rapper DrixStar have worked their hearts out on the Album.
In a Fiji Broadcasting Corporation interview, Mr Nailati said music transcends barriers, making it an ideal medium for delivering social advocacy messages effectively.
“When words fail, music speaks. That was how all of these came together in just really trying to push values and advocate for anti-corruption,” Ms Konrote said.
“Corruption is an issue in Fiji and the Pacific and spreading the message through songs is an effective way to curb it.
“One of the songs on the album is Ignite A Flame. The song speaks to individuals on how they can work to fight against corruption.
Mr Nailati and his collective musicians have garnered international exposure and much interest from state and non-state agencies looking to leverage songs and the expressive arts to spread important social values messages to the public.
“We will continue to use songs, music, dance, and expressive arts to spread important messages on integrity and anti-corruption.”