San Salvador, El Salvador – December 9, 2024.
Education is key to addressing global corruption challenges, making it essential to have academic programs designed to train specialized leaders who will promote transparency and integrity in their countries. This educational initiative is also critical for sustainable development, as recognized by Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), and aligns with the recommendations of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which encourages effective mechanisms for preventive efforts and integrating anti-corruption awareness through educational programs.
Recently, the Salvadoran government approved the Public Procurement Law, which introduces the role of Compliance Officers in all public institutions, establishing the need for specialists in anti-corruption and compliance mechanisms. Responding to this identified need, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Secretariat of Compliance and Continuous Improvement, and at least five other institutions, in coordination with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), developed the Master’s Program in Anti-Corruption and Compliance. This program will be delivered by the "Dr. José Gustavo Guerrero" Diplomatic Institute (IDG) in San Salvador, El Salvador.
On the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day, commemorated on December 9, the official launch of this Master’s Program took place during an event presided over by Vice Minister Adriana Mira. She highlighted that corruption is a phenomenon that not only undermines democracy and the rule of law but also impacts human rights and creates other security threats for the population.
This new specialized academic option serves as a continual reminder of the international aspiration to intensify collaborative efforts to combat the threat that corruption poses to development, justice, and trust in government institutions.
The event featured the participation of Christian Aparicio, El Salvador's National Director of Education, who emphasized that this Master’s Program is one of the country’s most innovative academic initiatives, playing a crucial role in the fight against corruption. He also presented Vice Minister Adriana Mira with a resolution issued by the Ministry of Education, authorizing the "Dr. José Gustavo Guerrero" Diplomatic Institute to create and launch the Master’s Program in Anti-Corruption and Compliance. This program aims to enable compliance officers and other public officials to enroll and benefit from this education.
Nayelly Loya, Head of the UNODC Country Office for El Salvador, highlighted significant advancements in combating corruption. She underscored that the Master’s Program in Anti-Corruption and Compliance offers an invaluable opportunity for public officials to receive comprehensive training. This training spans national and international legal frameworks, as well as the social, economic, and political dimensions of corruption. Participants will also learn about best practices, international standards, and real-world experiences, all within an academically rigorous environment.
Additionally, the program emphasizes not only training future leaders in the fight against corruption but also equipping professionals with the tools necessary to implement effective strategies for its prevention and combat.
During the event, Luz Elena Núñez de Saade, Rector of the "Dr. José Gustavo Guerrero" Diplomatic Institute, presented the academic program. It consists of four cycles covering basic concepts to advanced strategies in compliance and risk management, completed over two years of intensive study.
The curriculum was developed to provide practical tools for compliance officers and public officials in their roles. Its formulation and validation involved key stakeholders from institutions such as the Secretariat of Compliance and Continuous Improvement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government Ethics Tribunal, and the Attorney General’s Office, with support from experts at the UNODC Regional Anti-Corruption Hub for Latin America and the Caribbean. This initiative was made possible thanks to financial support from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).
Additionally, the Master’s Program incorporates learning resources from the GRACE initiative, which was developed by UNODC to strengthen corruption prevention among youth.
The education provided to students of the Master’s Program in Anti-Corruption and Compliance in the coming years will be a powerful tool for transforming their country and communities. Through their academic training, they will learn to identify the roots of corruption, design and implement public integrity policies, and promote a culture of transparency at all levels of society.
