For the third year in a row, the CSR Unit held an interactive University Awareness Session, "Responsible Millennials", at Bank Audi, aiming to encourage the students to be creative and propose a feasible CSR project that is aligned with the Bank’s CSR strategy. This year, the session was focused on Anti-Corruption which is a material issue within our Corporate Governance pillar and one of the UN Global Compact ten principles.

Nine students suggested impressive and inspiring ideas from which three proposals were shortlisted by an external CSR jury of five prominent members. As a second phase, the three finalists presented their proposal to our CSR Committee who chose the winners following live presentations.

Congratulations to our winners, who have won financial prizes for their efforts: Fady Touma from AUB in first place, Dania Jabal & Ali Oleik from AUB in second place and Melissa Charbel from USJ in third place.

The first prize winner, Fady Touma, presented a four-step framework which would ensure a successful strategy to fight corruption: First, ensure compliance by integrating ethical issues in performance reviews and implementing whistle-blowing policies. Second, strengthen collective action by monitoring and accountability. Third, engage demand-sided forces by organizing workshops and influence legislation. Fourth, leverage corporate assets by using the voice, brand, and image of Bank Audi and distribute cash grants.

The second prize winners, Dania Jabal & Ali Oleik presented several steps that would help fight corruption in the Lebanese society: First, raise awareness on corruption to the Lebanese citizens. Second, create a platform called “Kamashtak” (كَمَشتَك) where citizens can share stories, experiences and warn one another about incidents of corruption. Third, partner with organizations and institutions that focus on combating corruption in order to reach the ripple effect that Bank Audi is aiming at. Fourth, create a new service called ‘Accounting for Lebanon’ to offer accounting services for the public sector.

The third prize winner, Melissa Charbel presented both internal and external steps to fight corruption: Internally, Bank Audi could do the following: First, implement a Job Rotational Program in order to keep the employees motivated and developed their skill sets. Second, implement an audit step where any transaction within a dormant or inactive account should be sent to the Audit team. Third, implement a Total Quality Management (TQM). Externally, Bank Audi could add a feature to the AudiOnline and AudiMobile that allows clients to pay their taxes and other bills online instead of going to the concerned public institution, therefore reducing bribes.