Barely a decade ago, suggesting to judicial officers that introducing rules and obligations to declare their assets and other relevant interests and activities as part of upholding judicial integrity and preventing opportunities for corruption was met with great scepticism.
However, in many jurisdictions nowadays, the issue has gained traction and judges themselves are no longer shying away from the debate. Given this shift, there is a real opportunity to advance this discussion, exchange experiences and learn from those jurisdictions that have introduced financial and similar disclosure systems for their judges. The Global Judicial Integrity Network, an initiative about to be launched by UNODC under the Doha Declaration Global Programme, will provide a unique platform for this exchange.
The integration of crime prevention and criminal justice into all levels of education is essential in building long-term approaches to countering crime and violence. It is also critical in ensuring that the rule of law is respected from an early age in order to build safe and prosperous societies for all. Recognizing this, the Doha Declaration, highlights the fundamental importance of universal education for children and youth to prevent crime, terrorism and corruption and promote sustainable development.
Within this area, E4J is holding a series of Expert Group Meetings in Vienna, bringing together experts with a variety of backgrounds from across Governments, civil society, academia, the private sector and international organizations.
Prison-based rehabilitation is a complex issue: While prisoners typically face a range of social, economic and personal challenges that may complicate their social reintegration into society, prisons often lack sufficient infrastructure, programmes, and resources, and may even exacerbate these problems.
In order to reduce re-offending, therefore, it is crucial to actively prepare prisoners for their successful re-settlement in society. With this in mind, UNODC hosted an Expert Group Meeting and a workshop in Vienna and Dushanbe respectively, bringing together a number of experts in a bid to encourage a comprehensive, rehabilitative approach to prison management.
UNODC and the Government of the Federal District of Brasilia recently signed a new joint agreement which looks to use sports as a tool to prevent crime and drug use among youth. The initiative, which forms part of UNODC's Global Programme on the Implementation of the Doha Declaration, provides life skills training programme to build resilience of at risk youth and reduce anti-social behaviour. It employs skills teaching in order to increase adaptive and positive behaviour and address risk factors related to violence, crime and drug use.
The signing ceremony was attended by high level authorities from the Federal District and the international community, including the First Lady Márcia Rollemberg, the Sports and Leisure Secretary, Leila Barros, and the Public Safety Secretary, Márcia de Alencar.
Opinion Editorial by Executive Director Yury Fedotov
Each year, on 9 December, the world marks International Anti-Corruption Day. We treat this not only as a means to raise awareness, but also as an opportunity to showcase innovative ways that people and organizations can work together to counter this scourge.
Corruption affects each and every one of us: our healthcare suffers when funds for medical equipment are stolen; our education systems are hit when school budgets are illegally siphoned off; and our political institutions are undermined when bribes are paid and kickbacks sought.
