Y LT P N e w s l e t t e r 8 th Issue, August 2009 Young Leaders Training Programme ISBN No. 978-9987-22-086-1 Content 2 A word from the YLTP Coordinator 3 Message from the Editor The Resident Director’s Statement Executive Committee, as well as Director for Organization and Elections in the Civic United Front(CUF). The first challenge of Mr. Sanani was to organize and spearhead his party’s campaign during the Magogoni constituency by-election. Although not winning the constituency, CUF demonstrated firm democratic maturity by accepting defeat. These are democratic values that need to be demonstrated by all during elections, especially the forthcoming general elections in 2010. 4 My turning point with YLTP Exclusive interview 5 with Mr. Beno Malisa, Vice Chairperson of CCM Youth League. Disability is not in­6 ability Leadership is about 7 committment and responsibility 8 FES Editorial Board& people with events Dear Reader(s), W elcome to our eighth issue of the YLTP Newsletter published by the FES-Tanzania office. The publication of this issue shows our commitment and fulfils the promise I made to keep you updated about the YLTP as well as about other developments taking place here at FES in Tanzania with regard to leadership and development topics. The YLTP VIII is progressing well; about six regular sessions have been held so far including the summer school, which took place in July, 2009. The trainees gathered at the Kibaha Conference Hall, in the Coast Region, for a five day intensive training program! Dear Reader, the beneficiaries of our top-notch program are steadily establishing themselves as leaders in various institutions, from political parties to trade unions, and from non­governmental organizations to media houses. Mr. Beno Malisa, for instance, is currently holding the national vice-chairmanship of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi(CCM) Youth League. This is a senior post that will allow him to share the same table and rub shoulders with the top ranking officials of the ruling party, while pursuing the mission towards the vision of the ruling part y. Mr. Malisa is not the only one who is currently holding senior political leadership position. In February 2009 another former YLTP trainee, Mr. Juma Said Sanani, was elected a member of the National Governing Council, National Dear Reader, I would also like to share with you my concerns about the negative impact of corruption in our societ y. This is a serious problem all over the world, and not only in Tanzania. Corruption is known to happen everywhere; there are corruption cases in rich countries as well as in countries where resources are scarce and limited, like Tanzania. However, the consequences of corruption in countries with a strong system of rule of law and stable economies are not as significant for social development as in so-called developing countries. In developing countries, corruption is a major obstacle to the path of development; it is a hindrance to social services such as education, health and infrastructure. It affects particularly the poor people as it diverts precious and scarce resources from those social services. Corruption is a symptom of bad governance; it harms democratic participation and a just distribution of social services to the population. It excludes most of the population from an equal distribution of resources. It is a crime. To curb all its diverse negative effects, it must be fought from all angles. The YLTP program aims at nurturing a cadre of socially responsible as well as ethically committed young leaders who should be ready to fight corruption and certainly not to abuse public office for personal gains. » 1