On Wednesday, 18 September 2024, the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) celebrated another key milestone with the virtual graduation of the second cohort of its Anti-Corruption Collective Action Certificate (ACCA) programme. This postgraduate programme, the first of its kind, equips participants with the expertise required to design and implement Collective Action initiatives in combating corruption on a global scale.
The ceremony brought together the ACCA students, along with alumni, IACA staff, academics, and key stakeholders to recognize the significant achievements and contributions of the graduates to the anti-corruption movement. For this year, eleven participants have driven Collective Action across various sectors, including multi-stakeholder collaboration at the municipal level, inter-institutional cooperation in the real state sector, whistleblowing and whistleblower protection, port administration, public procurement, capacity building in the private sector and more.
In her opening remark, Dr. Slagjana Taseva, Dean of IACA, commended the graduates for their dedication and the tangible results they have already achieved through their Collective Action initiatives. She highlighted the comprehensive training and mentorship provided throughout the one-year programme, which has empowered participants to implement practical anti-corruption solutions in their respective countries. Dr. Taseva also extended her gratitude to the Siemens Integrity Initiative for their ongoing support in the successful implementation of the ACCA programme.
In his remarks, Mr. Shawn Teixeira, Head of the Siemens Integrity Initiative, highlighted IACA’s significant contribution to education and training in the anti-corruption field. He noted that IACA has been instrumental in driving transformational change by training practitioners and professionals through innovative approaches that include international diversity, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary courses, and more importantly, innovative and flexible learning and teaching methods.
Mr. Teixeira also commended the institutional strength of IACA and congratulated both the graduates and IACA staff for their commitment to Collective Action initiatives that are making a real difference in countries worldwide.
During the ceremony, the graduating students showcased their work on Anti-Corruption Collective Action projects, sharing practical experiences from countries such as Azerbaijan, Ecuador, Ghana, Georgia, Malawi, Malaysia, the Pacific Islands (Fiji and the Solomon Islands), South Africa, South Korea, and Switzerland.
The ceremony concluded with the virtual presentation of certificates to the ACCA graduates, marking the culmination of their academic journey and their entry into the global Collective Action movement against corruption.
Since its inception, the ACCA programme has trained and mentored 31 participants from around the world, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to implement Collective Action initiatives. The programme comprises two interdisciplinary online modules that explore both theoretical and practical approaches to Collective Action. Participants are required to develop and implement their own Collective Action projects, with ongoing guidance and support from IACA throughout the process.
For more information on the ACCA programme, please visit our website.