DUSHANBE, July 4, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- From June 23 to June 29, UNDP CO Tajikistan conducted first series of seminars aimed to strengthen the capacity for corruption awareness raising in the framework of its pilot project “Developing Capacity for Corruption Awareness Raising and Risk management in Government and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)”, funded by British Department for International Development (DFID), the UNDP CO Tajikistan reports.

The aim of the current initiative is to support Government of Tajikistan on its efforts on its anti-corruption activities and successful implementation of National Strategy on fight against corruption.

Important goal of this training was in strengthening cooperation among CSOs, secondary schools and the Agency on State Financial Control and Fight against Corruption in the field of prevention corruption risks in secondary education.  Representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Agency on State Financial Control and Fight Against Corruption, teachers from 4 different schools of Dushanbe, parents - teachers associations and international experts took part in the seminars.

It was noted by participants of the seminars that corruption in the schools leads to illiteracy; that integrity starts from school bench and that tone from the top is crucial.  All of the participants showed their willingness to use the knowledge gained during these seminars in their professional activities.

In the framework of the current project the awareness raising campaign on corruption risks in education sector will be carried out in the schools. Participants developed plans to conduct various activities and public events on Corruption Prevention problems until the end of this year.

The project of UNDP and DFID aims to strengthen the corruption prevention capacity and integrity of the education sector, especially in secondary schools by encouraging civic participation and raising the awareness of harmful effects of corruption.

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is the UN''s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.  As they develop local capacity, they draw on UNDP and our wide range of partners