Taipei’s Innovative Anti-Corruption Strategy: Engaging Citizens for Ethical Governance

Are you ready to discover how a major city is revolutionizing the fight against corruption? Taipei is leading the way with a groundbreaking anti-corruption integrity campaign that goes beyond traditional regulations. To mark the 25th anniversary of Taipei’s Public Servants’ Ethical Code, the Taipei City Government has launched "Taipei·廉你都會 (Taipei: Integrity Starts with You)". This innovative initiative blends entertainment, interactive technology, and real-life storytelling to promote ethical governance. Unlike top-down approaches, this campaign actively engages citizens, fostering a widespread culture of integrity through creative and accessible methods.

Modernizing Anti-Corruption Efforts: A Strategic Shift in Ethical Education

Historically, anti-corruption initiatives often relied on formal regulations and stern warnings, which frequently failed to resonate with the public, particularly younger generations. Taipei’s new strategy fundamentally reimagines ethical education by transforming what could be dry compliance into dynamic, interactive experiences. Central to this innovative approach is the strategic use of short videos, gamified learning, and engaging role-playing scenarios, making integrity education captivating, memorable, and highly relatable for citizens and public servants alike.

Leveraging Popular Culture: Lee Da-hui's Role in Taipei's Integrity Campaign

A distinctive feature of this integrity campaign is its strategic use of celebrity influence to promote ethical governance. Lee Da-hui, a Korean-born Taiwanese idol and former cheerleading squad member, stars in the campaign's videos alongside Taipei City Government Secretary-General Li Tai-xing. Together, they participate in the "integrity survival game," showcasing how public servants and pop-culture figures can jointly champion integrity. By leveraging such a well-known public figure, the campaign effectively bridges the gap between policy and public perception, making anti-corruption efforts feel modern and relevant to the everyday lives of Taiwan government citizens.

The “Integrity Survival Game”: An Interactive Ethical Education Experience

The centerpiece of this forward-thinking campaign is the "integrity survival game", an engaging interactive game designed as a quiz. Participants assume roles such as:

"Integrity Little Chai" (symbolizing unwavering principles)

"Rookie Civil Servant" (representing eagerness to learn)

Players navigate realistic ethical dilemmas, such as correctly refusing bribes or inappropriate invitations, thereby reinforcing practical decision-making skills crucial for public servants. This gamified approach shifts ethical education from passive lectures to active participation, ensuring that lessons on integrity are learned and remembered through immersive experience rather than mere instruction.

Real-Life Integrity: Inspiring Stories from Dedicated Public Servants

Beyond entertainment, the anti-corruption integrity campaign powerfully highlights real-world examples of integrity. Chen Tzu-chiao, a firefighter and integrity award recipient, shared his firsthand experiences at the launch event, vividly illustrating how ethical conduct directly translates into public trust. His compelling story—alongside those of other award-winning civil servants featured in the short videos—humanizes the campaign, proving that integrity is not just an abstract ideal but a daily, practical commitment upheld by dedicated public servants within the Taiwan government.

Campaign Vision: Building Taipei into an Integrity City of Transparency

The official vision for this ambitious campaign is clearly articulated in the slogan: "I support, you have a bottom line; I will, Integrity City," penned by Secretary-General Li Tai-xing. The Department of Ethics has enthusiastically adopted this powerful call-to-action. It signals both top-level commitment from the Taipei City Government and the shared responsibility of its citizens, aiming to transform the capital into a model integrity city where transparency and continuous improvement are truly community-driven priorities, embodying strong ethical governance.

Conclusion

By embracing innovative approaches to anti-corruption ethical education—including celebrity engagement, gamification, and real-life storytelling—Taipei is effectively redefining public integrity as an active, community-driven effort. The city's unwavering commitment to transparency, accessibility, and continuous improvement firmly positions it as a global leader in fostering strong ethical governance. This comprehensive integrity campaign sets a new, inspiring standard for cities worldwide, demonstrating the power of engaging citizens in building a more trustworthy and transparent society.