Corruption is not a victimless crime. It is a crosscutting problem with detrimental impacts on human rights, the rule of law and democracy. Therefore, it erodes trust, social cohesion, while deepening inequalities. In the same vein, it hampers development, peace, and security, besides of causing environmental damages.

It can be present in different shapes by triggering several consequences in all countries, disregarding their pace of development. It is even more damaging in times of crisis.

Face to this harmful challenge, assessment is key for the sake of transparency. It allows to take stock on the strengths and challenges in the implementation of transparency parameters. Furthermore, it is an effective way to explore the feasibility of further actions to move forward from theory to practice.

In this context, parliamentarians play a crucial role in assessing means for combatting corruption through the adoption of laws and the public budget, as well as the oversight of Governments’ laws, policies, and the implementation of recommendations coming from the ratification of international treaties and instruments.

Face to this reality, the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption, GOPAC, and the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, elaborated the guide “Anti-corruption Assessment Tool for Parliamentarians”, in 2013.

This guide was prepared with the aim of supporting the vital role of Parliamentarians in the United Nations Convention against Corruption, UNCAC, system. It was jointly and successfully tested in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco and Timor-Leste. It was specially designed for parliamentarians and focuses on their role in ensuring effective UNCAC implementation.

Considering the importance of fostering capacities through pedagogical methodologies for leveraging the experience of parliamentarians, GOPAC in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, UNITAR, have brought together their technical expertise and practical knowledge to collaboratively turn the guide into an e-learning course.

In this regard, mainstreaming knowledge about anticorruption assessment is a powerful tool for transforming the lives of individuals and societies. It pursues the change of discriminatory social institutions, laws, cultural norms, and community practices. Therefore, the creation of spaces and initiatives to raise awareness, such as this e-learning course, represent an opportunity to enhance capabilities towards a culture of learning.