The Doha Declaration Global Programme, which was launched in March 2016 and concluded in September 2021, focused on four inter-related components: enhancing quality education for children and youth on the rule of law through its "Education for Justice" (E4J) initiative; strengthening judicial integrity and preventing corruption in the justice system; fostering prisoner rehabilitation and social reintegration; and preventing youth crime through sports.
The Education for Justice (E4J) initiative sought to prevent crime and promote a culture of lawfulness through education activities designed for primary, secondary and tertiary levels. These activities helped educators teach the next generation to better understand and address problems that can undermine the rule of law and encouraged students to actively engage in their communities and future professions in this regard.
Effective, transparent and corruption-resistant public institutions boost confidence and form the core of good governance. Building on UNODC's extensive experience in providing assistance to Member States in this area, the Judicial Integrity initiative assisted judiciaries in strengthening judicial integrity and preventing corruption in the justice sector, in line with Article 11 of the UN Convention against Corruption.
Rehabilitation programmes in prisons are key to protecting society from crime and reducing recidivism. Crucial to this is for prisoners to be prepared for their release and successful reintegration into society through prison-based programmes and post-release support. Under the Global Programme, various constructive activities in prisons were carried out, including education, vocational training and work programmes.
Youth face many challenges that make them vulnerable to crime, violence and victimization, and it is key that their development is supported so that they can positively contribute to society. Using sports to provide positive experiences and support healthy development in young people, UNODC worked to reduce anti-social behaviour by building important life skills that increased adaptive and positive behaviour among at-risk youth.
Following the 13th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice held in Doha, Qatar in April 2015, the General Assembly adopted the landmark Doha Declaration in its resolution 70/174. To translate this political declaration into concrete action and contribute to the world's efforts in boosting the rule of law, the State of Qatar generously funded an ambitious, five-year Global Programme aimed at helping countries achieve a positive and sustainable impact. Intrinsically linked to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, the success of the Global Programme is best captured by its transformative impact around the globe. Since the Global Programme's inception, more than 2.5 million people from over 190 countries were impacted.