50 students that have been nominated by schools across all regions of Papua New Guinea, will be going through the 12th Mike Manning Youth Democracy Camp (MMYDC) that will be hosted by the Transparency International PNG from the 15th to the 24th of January 2024. The MMYDC is a ten-day intensive event that balances hands on simulation activities on principles of democracy and good governance such as conducting fair elections, drafting, debating, and passing laws, human rights, budget tracking and many other topics. TIPNG Chief Executive Officer, Ms Arianne Kassman said the MMYDC supports TIPNG’s mission to empower Papua New Guineans to act against corruption. “It is our hope at TIPNG that participants of the camp become more proactive citizens in advocating for a less corrupt society.” To be held at the Don Bosco Technological Institute in Port Moresby, the 2023 MMYDC has been supported with financial assistance from the US Embassy of Port Moresby, ExxonMobil PNG and the UNDP through the European Union funded PNG Anti-Corruption Project. Initiated In 2007, the Mike Manning Youth Democracy Camp has empowered young people to become champions of good governance and integrity. The COVID-19 pandemic put an end to this impactful program from 2020-2023. However, the 2024 camp will see it rise again and welcome a new generation of passionate young leaders to its transformative experience. This year’s camp is themed “Rise to the Occasion” and it will seek to inspire and motivate young Papua New Guineans to take ownership of the fight against corruption and become active participants in building a more transparent and accountable nation.