This activity is part of UNODC’s project on introducing UNODC modules in the Mozambican educational system, made possible through the generous support of the Rule of Law Centre from the University of Helsinki.
Caption: Ethics professor from the University of São Tomás of Mozambique, Mr. Leopoldo Muacigarro, introduces UNODC Modules to fellow lecturers. © UNODC
Maputo (Mozambique), 29 August 2023 – Education is a powerful vehicle to promote a culture of lawfulness and to develop long-lasting solutions to prevent crime and terrorism. In June 2022, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Helsinki Rule of Law Centre launched an education-focused project that engages university professors from Mozambique, along with legal and judicial trainers. Through this project, UNODC aims to enhance lecturers’ capacity to educate future generations of professionals on issues related to transnational organized crime, trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling, prevention of terrorism and violent extremism, anti-corruption, ethics and integrity, and rule of law.
Since the launch of the project, UNODC has engaged over 40 professors from three renowned universities in Mozambique, sharing materials and providing training on UNODC modules, including support for the adaption of some of these resources to the Mozambican context for integration into the universities' curricula.
On 29 August 2023, professors from the University of São Tomás of Mozambique took the lead and introduced the UNODC modules to 25 fellow lecturers, demonstrating a high degree of ownership and understanding on the use of the materials. Through the event, UNODC and the University of São Tomás sought to inspire other professors in utilizing these modules to enhance their own lectures. The initiative, which took place at the university campus, was opened by the Pedagogical Director, the project focal point of the University, and UNODC.
According to the message sent by the Vice-rector of the University of São Tomás, and delivered by the Pedagogical Director, Professor Adelino Chissale, “UNODC has immersed us in a subject that is multidisciplinary, cross-cutting and current – the rule of law –, which is currently the subject of much debate in academia and other areas of society”, adding that the university’s engagement in the project had solidified its position as a higher education institution focused on increasing scientific and academic knowledge, based on rigor, specialization and teaching in the fields of citizenship, security, law, integrity and ethics.
On behalf of UNODC, Joana Wrabetz, who has been delivering the trainings to the three partner universities, made an overview of the main characteristics of the UNODC University Modules, highlighting the multi-disciplinary nature of the materials, which makes them suitable for multiple teaching levels a wide range of courses, from sociology to law, criminal justice, political science, economics, anthropology, and criminology. The UNODC teaching materials connect theory to practice and encourage critical thinking, further promoting the use of innovative interactive teaching approaches, such as experiential learning and group-based work.
UNODC’s focal point of the University of São Tomás, Mr. Armindo Nhanombe, shared further information on the new curricula being developed as a result of the trainings. Besides a new subject that will be taught in different bachelor's courses, UNODC materials will also be used in short-term courses, at the university’s research centre, and to develop a new master’s degree, soon to be submitted for accreditation to the Ministry of Education's National Council for Quality Assessment in Higher Education.
Mr. Leopoldo Muacigarro, Ethics professor and Head of the Ethics and Deontology Department at the University of São Tomás, emphasized that he now possesses a wider range of knowledge in his field and other areas, such as Law. “My professional life has really changed and improved through this project, so much so that my teaching model has changed”, he explains, signalling the usefulness of the methodology and contents acquired throughout UNODC’s trainings and workshops. “I feel like a new teacher.”
Mr. Muacigarro believes the use of the modules will bring many benefits to the student community, due to the focus given on very current and relevant topics, including the Mozambican context, and underscored the university’s commitment towards disseminating the modules not only on its campus but also in high schools.
The Maputo Roadmap, the guiding framework for UNODC’s engagement in Mozambique, calls for the promotion of a culture of the rule of law in schools and universities, alongside a number of other strategic actions aimed at building solid criminal justice institutions, enhance integrity and prevent crime in the country.
This activity is part of UNODC’s project on introducing UNODC modules in the Mozambican educational system, made possible through the generous support of the Rule of Law Centre from the University of Helsinki.
