E-course on Corruption Prevention Launched in Europe

The course is intended for anyone interested in following and understanding the basics of preventing corruption.

The Council of Europe held an online event to launch the e-course on ‘Introduction to Corruption Prevention’. The course aims to support the understanding of preventive tools for a greater awareness of the integrity standards that apply to public officials. 

It puts in the spotlight ethical dilemmas and challenges in implementing anti-corruption measures. Through reflection exercises, quizzes, and scenarios, it engages the learners into exploring how to deal with ethical dilemmas. 

It also brings clarity to the approach taken by the Council of Europe with respect to these issues, as contained in the standards set by the Council of Europe conventions, resolutions, and other instruments, and provided in the recommendations of Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption monitoring body.

During the event held on 26 April 2022, the speakers stressed that corruption continues to present a threat to basic principles and values of the Council of Europe, undermines democracy, rule of law and enjoyment of human rights, erodes confidence in public institutions and hinders quality of life. In this context, the course is expected to contribute to a greater awareness of the integrity standards that apply to public officials and provide an opportunity to learn about the approach taken by the Council of Europe in the fight against corruption.

The course is intended for anyone interested in following and understanding the basics of preventing corruption. It is suitable for “beginners” as well as for those who already have knowledge about the prevention of corruption but are interested to find new and specific perspectives. The course is comprised of the following 13 modules, reflecting the range of prevention tools addressing variety in the nature and forms of corruption:

Module 0: Introduction

Module 1: Meaning of corruption

Module 2: Corruption prevention tools

Module 3: Ethical principles and codes of conduct

Module 4: Conflict of interest and incompatibilities

Module 5: Post-employment restrictions

Module 6: Gifts and other benefits

Module 7: Asset declarations

Module 8: Free access to information

Module 9: Lobbying

Module 10: Political financing

Module 11: Whistleblowing

Module 12: Public procurement

Module 13: Auditing of public functions

The Council of Europe course on Introduction to Corruption Prevention can be accessed by visiting the Council of Europe HELP online platform. It is currently available in English language, and it can be translated and launched in tutored format in collaboration with interested national institutions.

The course was developed by the Economic Crime and Cooperation Division in cooperation with the Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP) Programme. It was developed in the framework of the Council of Europe and European Union joint Project to support independent bodies in Tunisia (PAII-T) which is co-financed by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe.