Thomas Friedman taught us that the world is flat — that globalization has created a playing field more level than at any time in history. And however true that may be of international commerce, it is not true of anti-corruption enforcement . . . yet.
We’re at the front end of an historical movement, and it’s changing the world. But if anti-corruption enforcement is to become level, we must do more than pressure governments.
We need to help build a new generation of anti-corruption experts. We need to increase awareness, exchange ideas, gather knowledge, and develop skills. And we need an institution that brings people together from around the world to do this very thing.
We’ve got it. It’s IACA, the International Anti-Corruption Academy, located just outside Vienna, Austria. Co-founded in 2010 by the UN Office of Drugs and Crime (custodian to the UN Convention Against Corruption), the European Anti-Fraud Office, Interpol, and the Republic of Austria, its inaugural event included over 1,000 delegates from UN member states, the academy, the private sector, and civil society.
IACA serves many much-needed purposes. It provides tools for policymakers and practitioners. It offers teaching and training opportunities in the interdisciplinary study of corruption. And ultimately, it’s a forum for the exchange of experiences and best practices, fostering cooperation across borders.
We think it’s a great idea. So we’ll spend a few posts talking about its various programs and how to get involved.
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Andy Spalding is a senior editor of the FCPA Blog. He is an Assistant Professor at the University of Richmond School of Law.
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