The Special Investigation Service (STT) has launched a new social campaign, “Not Reserved for Connections" (in Lithuanian: „NErezervuota ryšiams“), aimed at drawing attention to one of the most subtle yet most widely observed forms of corruption in society – nepotism. This is a phenomenon where individuals make use of their name, power or position to favour or promote family members, partners or relatives, granting them privileges that should be equally accessible to everyone. To illustrate the harm nepotism causes to society, the campaign raises a rhetorical question: how many more places will we reserve for connections?
7 out of 10 Lithuanians openly admit that they would use personal connections if they could, according to the sociological survey “Corruption Map of Lithuania” initiated by STT. Connections are used when looking for a job, to obtain permits faster, to skip the line to see a doctor, to secure funding for a project or to speed up a decision in an institution. And although we all know perfectly well that this is not how things should be, for many this seems completely normal: after all, doing a favour for someone you know feels like nothing wrong.
The new social campaign “Not Reserved for Connections” reminds us that nepotism is not “innocent help to your own people”. It is a habit rooted in a culture of corruption, which many do not notice until they face a situation where the desired position, support or decision goes to someone who “had better connections”. Nepotism erases fair opportunities, which is why the campaign invites the public to answer a rhetorical but very important question: how many more places will we reserve for connections?
“In our daily lives we often face situations – from recruitment processes to waiting for a doctor’s appointment, from obtaining a building permit to decisions in an educational institution. In each of these situations, we can choose to act with integrity. With this campaign, the Special Investigation Service wants to encourage people to rethink such everyday choices. Every transparent decision strengthens trust in the state, in organisations and in our own values,” says Elanas Jablonskas, Deputy Director of the Special Investigation Service.
The social campaign “Not Reserved for Connections” is organised by the Special Investigation Service of the Republic of Lithuania in cooperation with the communications agency “23:45 agency”.
