Promote ethical education to build corruption-free society

They said only good governance or prosecution system is not enough to curb corruption when corporate companies are busy maximising profits undermining the consumers' interest and the public organisations are crippled by corruption.

Despite advancement of science and technology, the world is facing increased violence, intolerance, tension and agitation due to lack of moral education, they said at a seminar on 'Corruption, ethics and sustainable development in the context of Bangladesh' organised by North South University at its auditorium in the city.

"Knowledge seems to be divorced from values. People are trying to gain great power without insight. Our existence is in jeopardy, for many of our inherited values concerning the nature and rights of man, the structure of human society have increasingly become confused," said Dr Golam Dastagir, a professor of philosophy at Jahangirnagar University.

One of the tragic features of today's education system is the emphasis on the highly specific knowledge and skills sidelining traditional values, religious morals and ethical principles, he said, adding that proper understanding of the values of different religions can help the modern businesses to implement their goals in responsible manners.

"As a pathway of curbing corruption, business leaders must avail themselves of great ethical traditions found within the world's religions and cultures," Prof Dastagir said in his keynote paper.

Eminent economist Prof Muzaffer Ahmad said corruption is generated from the consumerist attitude of human nature, which cannot be eliminated merely through good governance. An inclusive policy is needed to bring all the people under a platform in order to ensure social and economic security, he added.

The corporate companies must fulfil their social responsibility by protecting consumers' interest, he said.

Sustainable development means integration of economic, social and political development, but unfortunately neither the civil society nor the policymakers take it into account, said Prof Muzaffer, also a trustee of the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).

The finance ministers in the country have always been vocal in pronouncing GDP growth rate, but other aspects of sustainable development have been cornered, he said, adding that even the PRSP (Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper) also does not emphasise the issue.

"This has not been possible in the country due to lack of political will," he noted.

Former comptroller and auditor general Hafizuddin Khan said unwillingness of the state machinery to punish corrupt officials leads to increased corruption in society.

He said the people practise religion but do not apply its values in their lives. "Corruption in the Madrasa Education Board is even more," Hafizuddin said, adding that even madrasa students appear to resort to copying in examinations.

Speaking as the chief guest, Justice Abdur Rouf said corruption was imported into the country by multinational companies and finance institutions as the successive governments have followed their prescriptions to take up programme.

He called on the government to implement its own plans in association with the civil society and promote ethical values to curb corruption, rather than accepting the prescriptions of the lending agencies.

Prof Aminul Islam, Dr Paresh Chandra Mandal, Dr Sukomal Barua, NSU VC Hafiz GA Siddiqi, Pro-VC SAM Khairul Bashar, Prof Harunur Rashid, Dr AFM Ataur Rahman and Principal of Notre Dame College Father Benjamin Costa also spoke at the seminar chaired by Prof Rafiqul Islam Molla.