Enhancing the capacity of academia to deliver high-quality anti-corruption education

26 September 2016 - Ensuring that anti-corruption ideals are built directly into education is one of the surest ways to tackle this crime and build societies where respect for the rule of law is firmly embedded. Around this, and drawing from UNODC's extensive anti-corruption work, the Office kicked off a two-day workshop today in Tunisia, held jointly with the Doha-based  Rule Of Law and Anti-corruption Center.

With the aim of supporting the development of stronger teaching capacity in the field of anti-corruption studies, the workshop brings together a diverse range of academics from the Middle East and North Africa region, across the fields of law, governance, political science and business studies. To support this aim, the workshop will also be looking at the possible establishment of a 'Network of Anti-Corruption Academics' for the region.

The two-day meeting, which follows similar past initiatives held with academics from South East Europe and Central and West Africa, forms part of UNODC's wider work in promoting the exchange of academic expertise between professors in the delivery of anti-corruption education and providing specialized support towards using the  United Nations Convention against Corruption Academic Course, as developed by UNODC, as a framework for teaching in this field.

It also ties in with UNODC's  Global Programme, 'Implementation of the Doha Declaration: Towards the promotion of a culture of lawfulness' and in particular the work being undertaken under the component 'Education for Justice'. This initiative recognizes the fundamental importance of universal education for children and youth in preventing crime, terrorism and corruption, as well as promoting sustainable development.  It rests on the idea that in order to prevent these ills, and to strengthen criminal justice systems and institutions in the coming years, it is critical that the next generation has the necessary tools and knowledge concerning the promotion of, respect for and support to the rule of law.

Further information

UNODC's anti-corruption work

Doha Declaration Global Programme

UNODC's Regional Office for the MENA region

Rule Of Law and Anti-corruption Center

United Nations Convention against Corruption Academic Course